Children’s picture books: the first step to developing a creative imagination
Every year thousands of children’s picture books are published around the world.
The children’s corner of bookstores around the world offers a wide range of new and old books, illustrated by some of the best illustrators available. Now comes the technological age where children’s books can be purchased electronically and are instantly available. This has opened a new avenue for both the illustrator and the author of children’s books. Very rarely you will find outstanding images with a relative story that can help boost your child’s learning ability and imagination.
As an English teacher, I am sometimes asked by parents why I chose a book with very little text or a book that offers a very short and seemingly unchallenging story. The answer to this question is quite simple. Children learn through images. Young children quickly learn the short text of a picture book if they share it with an adult who brings the illustrations on the pages to life. Children can then develop their own sense of the world through the images and relate short stories to their own quite large experiences.
From a very young age, children speak in a narrative style, so it is easy for them to take the text of a story and use it in everyday language. It is also through their own stories of everyday experiences that they define themselves and are able to express their ideas, hopes and emotions in language, as well as in drawing and imaginative play.
I recently visited Amazon and found an ideal book for children who are just beginning to speak. There are two in the series today and they are vividly illustrated. The two books in question are: Jonathan the Red Head Goes to Bed and Jonathan the Red Head Has a Friend. What I found so appealing about these books is that they are so vividly illustrated and the stories are so real. Each and every child goes to bed every night and with the experience of reading the book with mom, the child learns the outcome of that particular experience and then can build a simulated experience together with an adult who can make the story be a reality.
Sharing picture books with your child is not just about developing your child’s language ability; it’s also about giving your children a broader perspective of the world. The one-on-one interaction of sharing picture books gives the child an additional opportunity to develop at her own pace, knowing that he is being encouraged by an adult she looks up to. As children share more and more books with parents and teachers, self-confidence develops. This can often be seen in the way they approach the unknown and engage in new experiences.
Book Two is ideal for a child just starting out in life. Perhaps visiting a mommy and toddler group with mom or even starting kindergarten or school. Most children suffer from the apprehension of joining an established group, once inside, most can play and interact with the other children. Book two is ideal for this as it shows the child that all will be well. When the adult explains and embellishes the book to the child, it helps to develop the child’s imagination.
The Jonathan the Red Head series is a great start for new author Perl R. Brenner; the books show that she has a real gift for understanding what children need. It’s a shame the books are only available on Kindle, as these books would transfer perfectly to a paperback version.
I highly recommend these books as a source for early learning.
These books are available on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com.