By adding a section like this it really pushes the teachers to select the right book for their students. I think requirements for picture books is a good idea.

As Sharp explained earlier, there is a very small number of adults who continue reading past childhood. One way to increase this number is to encourage people of all ages to continue reading the books they love, even if those books are picture books. This type of encouragement needs to start in schools by teachers. If students learn at a young age that picture books have no age limit, than they will be more likely to continue reading them throughout their lives.

Picture books provide an engaging experience for students, especially those who are not fond of reading. In addition to this, the pictures in these stories can help students understand the literary elements of plot, characters, setting, and conflicts in a more real way.

Using picture books to create classroom projects is a great idea. Doing an author's study, or comparing and contrasting the pictures of multiple stories written about similar things would be fun and engaging projects that help broaden students' literature exposure.

Sharp makes an excellent point here. I too have made the mistake of thinking of pictures books as easy, but in reality, different picture books are written at different levels. Some picture books are more suitable for a kindergarten student, while others are more advanced and best suited for fifth or sixth graders. It is important to keep this in mind as a future educator because more advanced picture books can be shared with older students so that they understand that picture books are not just for "babies."

This line of the reading drew me right in. I am 21 years old and picture books are still one of my favorite types of books to read. I think that it is important for students of all ages to understand that picture books are not just for young children. All people can enjoy the beautiful pictures, inspiring messages, and overall great content of a picture book.

I love creative, out-of-the-box-styled books like this one. These books touch upon so much meaning and symbolism through the imagery. Young children are absolutely marveled by books that challenge their mind, especially a visual challenge such as this one. I think that books like this make children think about the story and the literary elements far after the book has been read or shared. This outcome can only enhance a child's critical thinking and analytical skills, which is pretty incredible.

What strikes me most about the illustration technique piece in picture books is the vast room for creativity in drawing the images. Another amazing idea picture books teach young children is that there is endless possibility in visually expressing one's imagination. This idea, in and of itself, is so important with a young audience. They must never lose sight of their boundless imaginations!

In middle school, high school, and college, readers should be able to identify and elaborate on the literary elements found within various texts, whether they be short stories, monologues, novels, or poems. Thus, it is key to start the informational piece about literary devices early on in a student's education. Early childhood educators can use picture books to help begin students's understanding of the literary devices they will defining and interpreting throughout their lives as critical readers.

I had never thought about how so many important literary elements can be incorporated in picture books. I think this statement is awesome because it explains how educators can use certain texts to hone in on a child's visual learning. Seeing that most children are visual learners, I feel that using picture books to help students conceptualize, and thus, internalize various literary elements is undeniably effective.

In other words, I think picture books create a safe place for students that are "reluctant readers, nonreaders, and poor readers." Students who are reluctant to read due to their insecurity with personal reading levels and poor readers who feel they cannot compare with other students in reading can find comfort and security in the realm of picture books. After years of being told they are low level readers, these students can finally gain confidence in knowing that comprehension is more than possible in picture books.

I think this statement is extremely interesting. I have always thought that Where the Wild Things Are was a complex book. There is so much raw emotion within the imagery. Even the film that was created based on the book not too long ago displayed so much adventure, complexity, and emotion. The pictures truly add another level of comprehension for readers.

I think Social studies is one of the most important subjects to have picture books for because it is very important for students to be able to see things such as maps of early explorers, world maps, pictures of the different states and countries, etc... These things are all pretty crucial for students to be able to identify and picture books can really reinforce their knowledge of these topics.

Lifelong learning is so important to encourage in students and being able to show them that there are more than one type of book to become interested in can be very beneficial in continuing this encouragement of reading.

I think this is something very important for students to learn! Being able to interpret visual images accurately will benefit young students a lot in their future, pictures are everywhere and being able to tell what exactly you are looking at is extremely important, as well as just being able to form a valid opinion on something like a picture.

Picture books are very important for science so that children are able to see what different animals look like, different types of weather, as well as visuals of many other types of science.

I like the idea of students using picture books to learn about music because like the author says here, it is a good way to show them certain things like the positions of people in the orchestra or even what different instruments look like. It is a good reinforcement to just listening to music.

Having children look at books, will gradually lead them to reading them at young ages which is good for them to be doing. When children begin to read at a young age, they tend to have a larger vocabulary, and tend to enjoy reading more than those who start reading later.

I do believe that sharing books helps many children in all different ways. It can help them with their vocab as well as help those who are struggling, to work with someone who is a little above their level. This is how they work together and end up having a conceptual understanding of the material they are reading.

I agree with this. There are different types of picture books, which does make them differ with the different level of difficulty.

I agree that pictures and text are definitely of equal importance because pictures can help explain to the children what the text has to say. If you have no text with the pictures, then it is not beneficial to the reader.

This is true. Picture books are made for children's interest and they are getting children to want to read. They may not be at the reading level of that child, but children love to flip through and look at different pictures. Sometimes children even draw their own story of what is going on in the story.

I agree with this statement! I think that writing a successful book does not follow a certain formula but rather it needs to be different an attractive.

This is so unfortunate. Considering that picture books are a majority of the literature that children k-3 read, more research really should be done!

I really like this bibliography! It is so helpful to see titles that have been reviewed and marked for appropriate grade levels. When choosing quality texts these references are very helpful.

I have seen this in schools! when children read books to each other they can both connect and assist peers in reading. They are more excited to read when they can share a book rather than work on it alone.

Often people see picture books as just "pictures" teachers need to make sure that the books they choose are rich in plot and characterization. Picture books need to be enriching and analyzed.

This is a great point that shows how great reading to young children is. It expands their vocabulary and also their reading and listening comprehension.

This is very important that the books have a controlled vocabulary because it will make the book a lot easier for the kids to understand, thus letting them read it independently.

This is a very good point made, that picture books are made to interest the kids not to really measure their reading ability. Picture books will get kids interested in reading, and then from there they can move to more advanced books to measure their reading ability.

I agree that the child can become too focused on trying to de code a word rather than enjoy and learn from the story. A teacher, parent, or other adult reading aloud to the student can solve this issue.

This definition of a picture book is great. Some may think that picture books only contain illustrations and few words. However, they do contain a text and illustrations that are as important and go along with the story for a better interpretation.

I agree that sharing out loud and focusing on the text and illustrations is one of the most important factor in the reading process. Although teachers and parents might think that encouragement is the selection process and giving activities after the reading are the most important, reading aloud with the children is too.

This stuck out to me because as I get older I start to appreciate a good book more and more. In middle school, I never enjoyed reading because I would only read for school and homework. Now, I go to the bookstore and pick out books that are appealing to me and read for entertainment. This encourages me to be a better and lifelong reader as everyone should become.

The idea that picture books can help teach math is very intriguing to me. Growing up, I have always been a weaker math student. When I come across a story that has pictures where children get the chance to use their hands & count is a great way to incorporate math in my eyes.

Many children don't get a chance to learn more about art history. Picture books are a great way to enhance their learning in area they may not be as familiar with and find a different passion.

I believe that illustrations help to show where the setting takes place and how you can use many different techniques to create a setting. Students who experience different techniques of illustrations have a better ability and motivation to try to create their own or think about the illustrations in a deeper manner.

This is a helpful tool that I will use in the future.

I agree, picture books get students more involved and engaged. As well as follow the story in a more understandable way. If a student can't foliow what the words are trying to say or what they mean, they can refer back to illustrations. This indeed goes along with the common core.

I agree with this. I am 20 years old and still love going to the children's section at the bookstores to look at all the new and old children's books and their illustrations. Children's books have the best illustrations and as a future teacher, I am so interested in them. Adults, like mothers to be, tend to go and enjoy what they will be able to pick out for their future baby as well. Any aged person who loves great illustrations and reading should be able to enjoy a great children's story. Age doesn't define good reading.