Not Just for Kids: Picture Books for Older Readers

 I recently watched a webinar, Not Just for Kids: How to Use Picture Books with Tweens and Teens, sponsored by Lerner. The panel was enthusiastic and practical. Dozens of titles were recommended. A high school librarian shared her programming ideas--complete with photographs. Before we knew it, the hour had ended and each speaker had 15 seconds for final thoughts. Rarely have I seen a one-hour webinar go so quickly. 

So let’s talk about picture books. At CSLA, I’ve offered many a session on picture books for older readers (PBOR). In my workshops I always say: 

“Don’t judge a book by the number of pages.”

--Deborah Salyer

Picture books can act as mentor texts in a writing workshop. You can use them to scaffold content. For below grade level readers, these texts sometimes offer accessible content. Visual literacy is incredibly important and picture books give us the illustrative content to practice. They save valuable time, as you can hook students in less than 15 minutes, then send them out to write or research. They make you laugh. They make you cry. Each year, new picture books break boundaries, creating new stories for everyone. 

Yet, picture books aren’t always “easy.” Many of my favorites are written at a higher level than some YA titles. I think, as with many issues, it’s the social stigma that picture books are for younger readers--for kids learning how to read. While many are, others actually work better with older readers. 

One of the first mistakes I made as an elementary librarian was to read Amelia Bedelia to kindergarten. No one laughed when Amelia hung the lightbulbs out (on the clothesline). I saw the look of confusion on their faces. I’m thinking, “This is not going like I thought it would.”

When she cut the towels up (to change them), one kid punched another and said, “That’s stupid. Why would she do that?”

His friend said, “Don’t say stupid. That’s a bad word.” I learned two things that day. 1: Stupid is a bad word. And 2: Save Amelia Bedelia for second grade when they get the jokes. 

So, I looked at my watch and exclaimed, “Well, look at the time. We don’t have time to find out what she’ll do next. We shall save that for another day. Let’s check out books.” 

Matching books to the intended audience is important. Publishers often mark titles based on who they think will buy them, and there’s a big difference between a kindergarten reader and a third grader. (Live and Learn)

In the webinar I recently watched, programming ideas were introduced: book clubs for siblings, art clubs, and mixing picture books with other book displays. Librarians sell the books to teens with book trailers or read alouds. You may have to change your culture. Don’t be afraid to stand up to non-believers. Simply share your rationale and take a chance. In reality, picture books are a format of literature, just like novels-in-verse. It’s what you do with them that matters. 

Where to start? 

Have you launched the CYRM Picture Books for Older Readers in your upper grades?  Did you know that TeachingBooks has created and curated resources to make it easier for you to participate? You’ll find your CA lists under Your Reading Lists in your TeachingBooks account. 

FUN FACT: California is the only state that has a Picture Book for Older Readers Category in their reader program.

Try having a Lunch Bunch and reading the nominees during lunches. Ask for volunteer readers from your student body—or invite a celebrity reader. (Perhaps a coach or someone they might not expect). Make a big deal out of voting. Some schools approve a PJ Day for those who are eligible to vote. You could even partner with your Civics teacher and collaborate on a voting unit. From there, work with your students to nominate titles to the CYRM committee. You may see your favorites on a future list.  

Then think about teachers who may want to experiment. Send TeachingBooks resources by sharing with a note to say: You might use this title when you begin your WWII unit. Include picture books in your displays, booklists, and booktalks. Use the TeachingBooks share tools to create QR code shelf talkers.  Find a time each week to read aloud from these books. Host a Jeopardy game with questions/answers that are found in your picture book collection. 

Here are some of my favorite new PBORs. I’ve created a 2021 PBOR TeachingBooks list to get you started.  Choose some of these titles and use their resources to help you teach and sell them to your teachers and students. And do share what you do to promote the use of these books. Send your pics to me, and I’ll add them in a future post.  

New 2020 PBOR Titles

One hundred years before Rosa Parks sat down, Lizzie Jennings was pushed. She demanded a seat on the “white” streetcar and was refused. A scuffle broke out, and she fell. Fighting for her rights, Jennings sued for equal rights on public transportation--and won! Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights

by Beth Anderson and E.B. Lewis

Gen Yeo came to America as a “paper son” and grew up to be an animator for Disney. It’s his art style that inspired the look of Bambi’s lush landscape. Read Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung and Chris Sasaki

In The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the Genius Ramanujan

by Amy Alznauer and Daniel Miyares, Alzanauer tells the story of the world’s smartest mathematician. Learn why a girl who didn’t love math at school felt so compelled to tell Ramanajan’s story by watching Candlewick’s Author Interview.  

Learn more about the history of Peru’s Indigenous culture by reading Sharuko: El arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello / Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello by Monica Brown and Elisa Chavarri. Listen to the Meet-the-Author Recording to hook your readers or use it as a reference. Students can use the share tool to create a citation for their bibliography. 

About the contributor: 

Deborah Ford-Salyer is a long-time lover of children’s and YA lit. Her seminars and workshops have created piles of books to be read on nightstands from the east to west coasts. She’s also the CA Implementation Specialist for TeachingBooks and a senior presenter at BER.org.