When was the last time you picked up a picture book? If you’re like many adults, it may be years or even decades. But recently, I’ve been reminded that picture books aren’t just for kids, and that some of the most impactful reading experiences can come in the simplest formats.
Last summer, while attending an all-ages drag storytime, I had an unexpected realization amid the laughter and sequins: picture books aren’t just for kids. I was captivated by the simple stories and charming illustrations, instantly reminded of the books from my own childhood. Since then, I’ve maxed out my library card on numerous occasions by borrowing picture books and juvenile graphic novels. At first I started with some of the titles I remembered enjoying when I was younger like, The Caboose Who Got Loose and the perennial classic, Are You My Mother?. But soon I began branching out, exploring so many of the fantastic new picture books arriving on our shelves all the time.
Reading picture books soon became a relaxing activity I now look forward to at home. As small and silly as it may sound for an adult, I felt a sense of accomplishment after finishing a whole book in a single sitting, even if it was only about 30 pages of mostly illustrations. These days, it's important that we take the wins where we can, after all! And when I found myself in a reading slump, making my way through a few picture books is often the trick to reigniting my interest in my regular, "grown-up" to-be-read pile.
What impresses me about picture books, and what keeps me coming back to them, is how in spite of their brevity and simple language they can be a powerful tool to teach us how to be human. Picture books often clearly and succinctly demonstrate the qualities that we aspire to develop and employ, such as compassion, kindness, and empathy. They even help us tackle the messy emotions that we all experience, offering easy-to-understand advice on ways to navigate complex feelings when they show up in our lives. There are many lessons and bits of wisdom that I’ve taken to heart from picture books that I’m not sure would have resonated as quickly or effortlessly had the same information been presented to me in a book meant for adults.
For the adults curious about picture books I've put together a short list of some of my favorites below. These are some of the picture books I read last year that left an impression on me and that have become some of my go-to suggestions for adult friends and colleagues alike. Check them out from the library to see some incredible artwork, have a nice chuckle, and perhaps find some encouragement for your own personal growth!
“The heroic tale of a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats! A scrumptious picture book for fans of funny fairytales and fantastic beasts.”
"Although Bunnybear was born a bear, he feels more like a bunny. The other bears don't understand him, and neither do the bunnies. Will Bunnybear ever find a friend who likes him just the way he is?"
“In an unusual yet warm story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death.”
“Gary, a racing pigeon who cannot fly, winds up lost in the big city, where he finds the big adventure he has been searching for.”
“Using die-cuts and transparent book leaves, Charlotte Gastaut’s spectacular illustrations immerse us in the enchanting world of the famous ballet, Giselle.”
"Pampered, nap-loving kitty Poopsie makes her way through a jungle after a pushy narrator pressures her toward adventure"
“What starts as a very simple question—What's the best way through the woods?—quickly becomes a fantastical and awe-inspiring adventure. Young readers are invited to meet griffins, giants, serpents, and sprites as they make their way through this magical landscape. After all, isn't the journey often more fun and rewarding than the destination?”
"When three mysterious visitors from ‘Europe’ crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their ‘car.’”
"Farm animals share their sounds, but humorous drama ensues when the goat and the sheep both lay claim to ‘baa.’"
