Happy Picture Book Month, my friends!

Wondering what Picture Book Month is? First and foremost, it’s an excellent excuse to read and reread your favorite children’s books – so you can stop hiding that copy of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus that we all know you read when nobody’s home. (No judging here!)

Even more than an excuse to get the giggles over the illustrated classics, Picture Book Month is “an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.” (Source) The celebration invites children, their families, and the young at heart to celebrate all that is magical about picture books. “In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love,” the website continues. “And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like the physical page turn of a beautifully crafted picture book.”

At picturebookmonth.com, you can hear from a new author every day in November about what makes picture books so special. You can also watch videos, read interviews, and find activities to share. And in the Learning Leopard Library, we’ll be sharing, discussing, and acting out our favorite picture books to join in the celebration. And at the end of the month, the library will be hosting its third annual Picture Book Month Celebration! Check out the invitation below to find out more.

Your student is invited to join us next Tuesday, 11/24, in their best picture book themed costume. Last year we saw characters like Clifford, Pete the Cat, the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Paddington Bear, Rainbow Fish, Winnie the Pooh, Johnny Appleseed, Lily (with her purple plastic purse, of course), the infamous David from No David, and more! I can’t wait to see who we get to meet this year.

I hope that you will celebrate the magic and excitement of picture books at home this month! No matter your age, you are never too old to enjoy a picture book. So pull that kindergartener (or fourth grader… or college student!) onto your lap and celebrate literacy and your love of reading together.

To help you get in the spirit, here is a video from picturebookmonth.com which features famous picture book authors describing just what makes picture books so magical. Enjoy – and I can’t wait to see your costumes next Tuesday!