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Picture Books for Big Kids
Rated by 2 members
"Mom, you're NOT really going to read GOODNIGHT MOON to us, are you?" 9-year-old Julia asked, giggling madly.
The night before I'd heard Marc Brown, the creator of "Arthur," speak about how children are growing out of picture books at an earlier age than ever before. I returned home duty-bound to stop this troubling trend and continue reading picture books to my children.
As someone who read picture books into the middle grades, I knew they inspired an appreciation of illustration, as well as verse. I was determined to share that appreciation with my own children.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of those easier-said-than-done mommy assignments. Looming in front of me was a huge pile of picture books from our bookshelves that were deemed either "too babyish" or "too boring" to satisfy the tastes of Julia and Henry.
The next day I decided to get professional help — I consulted Julia's fourth grade teacher, a few savvy moms, and a school librarian. With their guidance, I came up with a list of picture books that appeal to older children that we haven't already read nine gazillion times.
After school, we went to the library together, where I hunted down some of the titles on our list, and Julia and Henry went on a "treasure hunt" to find five picture books each. They each returned lugging huge stacks of glorious books.
After reading through our stash, we have discovered a list of wonderful illustrated books that appeal to older kids:
When Horace hosts his 11th birthday party, something mysterious happens and it's up to the reader to unravel the whodunit. The book is for all ages, but kids 6 and up will be able to understand and decipher the intricate illustrations that contain hidden messages to solve the mystery.
An enlightening picture book with watercolor and ink drawings that tell the story of a giant panda named Stillwater. Ages 5 and up.
Stylish illustrations accompany this wild adventure story about the mystery of a garden. Ages 4 and up.
The story of a wood thrush and the dangers he faces, full of richly-detailed forest scenes. Ages 5 and up.
When Zachary's father catches a foul ball and gives it to him, something special happens. Black-and-white detailed drawings. Ages 5 and up.
A wacky, engaging tale of mixed-up geography with playful and spunky drawings. Ages 4 and up.
Member Comments On…
Picture Books for Big Kids
Janell Cannon has some great books with wonderful vocabulary and pictures. My two favorites are Stellaluna and Crickwing.
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Great recommendations! I'm taking this list to the library this weekend. Thanks!
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With a 6 year old and a 2 year old I'm always on the hunt for books that I can read to then together (or have big sister read to little brother.) These sound like great candidates--engaging to the older and illustrated and interesting to my younger. Thanks so much for the suggestions! I STILL love Goodnight Moon!
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As a picture book writer (and reader!), I loved this article! Thanks for these recommendations. William Joyce is one of my all-time favorites. If you liked The Leaf Men, definitely check out Bentley and Egg, also by Joyce. It's a great spring-time book, but I love it all year round. Troy Wilson's Perfect Man is also good for slightly older picture book readers. There are also some truly wonderful nonfiction picture books for older kids. I recently read one called Handel Who Knew What He Liked (about 18th century composer George Frideric Handel). It's a surprisingly funny biography. Right now, I have a picture book in my living room in lieu of a "coffee table book." It's a picture book about New York City at Christmas time.
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