Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November. The found the following information about National Picture Book Month on their website. The founders of this event are:
Dianne de Las Casas (author & storyteller) www.diannedelascasas.com,
Katie Davis (author/illustrator) katiedavis.com
Elizabeth O. Dulemba (author/illustrator) www.dulemba.com
Tara Lazar (author) taralazar.
Wendy Martin (author/illustrator) wendymartinillustration.com
These talented authors and illustrators put together their worldwide connections to make an event that celebrates the simplicity and beauty of the picture book. Here is a calendar of events they have planned and you can go to the website link I provided above to find out more.
I love what they have started because I feel picture books are so important, especially in our media driven society. We live in a highly visual world where we are constantly being bombarded with media messages, entertainment and immediacy. While it's fun and exciting, it is also overwhelming and creates a feeling of temporariness. Nothing seems to last, everything is constantly being updated and refreshed. Think of the impact this must have on our children. While I know children today are growing up in this media rich world, I also know that children need a sense of order, structure, and connectedness for healthy development. This is where I think the picture book is so important. A child can sit with a loved one and have that wonderful page turning experience of a beautifully crafted picture book and slow the world down. The picture book puts the child in control and they can chose to linger over a picture or speed to turn the page to see what happens next. Picture books offer numerous perspectives on the world, and can transport the reader to another time and place. They can be a safe haven where children can retreat from the "noise" of the media they are surrounded by every day.
So in our digital age, where people are predicting the coming death of print books, I feel picture books (the print kind) are needed more than ever. Read a picture book today and enjoy the respite! And if you are looking for a good one....I have a suggestion:) The Swing is launching this month, during National Picture Book month on November 16th! I can save you a copy if you e-mail me or comment on this blog post!
Read *Share*Celebrate!
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