Why Picture Books Are Important

Today is the last day of Picture Book Month 2013. What better way to see the month out than with a post by DeWitt Community Library children’s librarian Jennifer Burke on why she believes picture books are important.

After you read Jennifer’s thoughts here on Frog on a Blog, check out her awesome blog Miss Jenny Reads at http://jennythelibrarian.blogspot.com.

Jennifer says she can go on and on about the importance of picture books. That means a lot coming from the chair of the Empire State Award Committee of the Youth Services Section of the New York Library Association.

Why Picture Books Are Important

by Jennifer Burke

Why are picture books important? What a question with many answers! I love picture books and using them in story times. Nothing makes me happier than sharing a picture book with a group of children and seeing them interact with the pictures and being read to. One important thing I’d like parents to know is that picture books aren’t just for “little kids”. There are a variety of picture books that can be enjoyed by children all the way up to high school! In my experience as a children’s librarian, some parents try to push their young child into chapter books too early, not understanding that picture books are a valuable tool in learning to read.

Picture books are generally a child’s first encounter with books and it introduces them to reading, even if they aren’t able to read yet. The pictures are a major part of the written story and they expose children to different styles of art, while also enhancing the story with visual cues, like the emotions on a character’s face. Interacting with the pictures while listening to the story helps a child become engaged in the reading process, and helps foster a love of reading.

From a librarian’s point of view, picture books are important because they are a tool in teaching parents early literacy skills they can do with their child to get them ready to read. Reading picture books is critical in children developing a sense of how words sound, what words mean, and what the letters of the alphabet look and sound like. While reading to a child, adults can talk to them in a way that encourages the child to engage in the story and understand what is being read to them.

Finally – and this is a personal perspective – picture books provide a sense of comfort. When I open up a picture book that I read as a child, wonderful memories of my grandfather and mom reading to me wash over me and I feel like I am returning home. Reading the same books as an adult brings me back to my childhood and I enjoy the book even more because I am experiencing those memories again. And that’s a wonderful feeling.

Thanks, Miss Jenny!

Interview Alert: Jonas Sickler

My sixth and final interview of the year is with someone very special, illustrator Jonas Sickler. Jonas is the artist who created the awesome blog logo that wonderfully represents the purpose of Frog on a Blog, which is to provide a fun, colorful forum for picture book fans to discuss all things related to children’s picture books.

Jonas is also the illustrator of six Indestructibles baby books that are specially designed to withstand the destructive behavior of the youngest picture book fans. They are tear resistant and waterproof! They are also absolutely gorgeous and they make great gifts!

Enjoy the interview!

Q. How long have your been creating art and when did you first realize that you wanted to illustrate children’s books?

JS. I have been making art since I was about 2 years old. Somehow I always knew that I would be an artist. Although there was a brief time around 4 years old when I thought I might be a fireman or a chef instead. I had always planned to work for Disney. It wasn’t until college that I began thinking of other options. That’s when I discovered Lane Smith through “The Stinky Cheese Man” and instantly knew I wanted to illustrate children’s books. During a trip to the Society of Illustrators, while my classmates were pouring over the exhibit, I took a field trip on my own to see Lane’s private studio. There, I met his wife Molly, and saw some works in progress. That day was unforgettable.

Q. How would you describe your style?

JS. My style is a bit difficult to categorize, though, I’m sure most artists say that to make themselves sound more unique and marketable. I certainly have a quirky, gritty style. There is never a shortage of textures and patterns in my art. Sometimes I work a bit darker- more Tim Burton/ Lane Smith. And sometimes I lean to a brighter Mary Blaire/ Karen Katz style. It depends on the subject of the book.

Q. Do you have a favorite medium you like to work with when creating your illustrations?

JS. My medium of choice is painted cut paper, even though most of my cutting is done in Photoshop these days. I still insist on using actual paint, rather than computer generated colors. I like seeing my hand in the finished art. Using the computer to collage my painted scraps into finished art has great advantages over scissors and glue. Such as instant color editing, and quick changes requested by art directors at the last minute.

Q. What picture book artists do you most admire and how have they influenced your work?

JS. As I mentioned already, I’m a huge Lane Smith fan. As well as Mary Blaire, Oliver Jeffers, Ezra Jack Keats. I keep all of these illustrators on my studio bookshelf for inspiration. Lane influenced me by showing me that children’s book illustrations can be dark, and still sell very well. Oliver Jeffers extraordinarily simple art and endearing stories captivate and inspire me to never over-think a book. Mary Blaire has incredible texture and color combinations, and Keats works wonders with simple shapes and patterns.

Q. What projects are you working on right now?

JS. I have about 10 books written, and awaiting illustrations on my drawing table. I tend to go through creative phases. I write my brains out until I have purged all of my ideas. Then I choose the best manuscript, and begin the illustration process. When everything is ready, I start shopping the project to publishers. I’m in the art phase right now on a few projects. But they are all top secret! 😀

Q. Where can fans go to learn more about you and your work?

JS. My website has a selection of my work, and my blog has great tips for beginning illustrators, as well as a more in-depth look at my Lane Smith obsession. You can find me at http://www.jonasillustration.com

Q. Any closing thoughts for fans?

JS. Creating children’s books is not an easy career. It requires endless patience and persistence. It is more of a lifelong process riddled with defeats than a career. But occasionally luck swings your way, and dreams come true. It is for this reason we all continue to pursue the buried treasure of a children’s book contract. All the rejection letters and dashed hopes will vanish in an instant with that one simple “yes”.

Picture Book Month

November is Picture Book Month. I love that there is a month dedicated to picture books! All month long, on the official Picture Book Month site http://picturebookmonth.com/, picture book authors and illustrators have shared their thoughts on “Why Picture Books Are Important”. I thought it would be fun to post my own thoughts on the subject right here on Frog on a Blog.

Why Picture Books Are Important

by Lauri Fortino

Between the covers of every picture book there is a world of wonder waiting to be discovered. It’s a world of color, imagination, and new friends. It’s also a starting point for literacy because a picture book has the magical ability to instill the love of books and reading in a child. Reading is something that many of us take for granted. But for those who struggle to read, it can mean the difference between success and missed opportunity or the difference between feeling accepted and feeling lost. If children are introduced to books and reading early on and throughout their growing-up years, I know that they will become strong readers. The best way to begin the journey toward literacy is by reading picture books. So parents, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, and brothers, read picture books with the children in your lives often. By doing so, you will help those children grow up to be successful, thriving adults who in turn will have the opportunity to introduce their children to the wonderful world of picture books.

The ability to read is the jump-off point from which all of life’s successes take flight.