Children love saying phrases along the lines of “That’s babyish!” or “I’m not a kid, I’m all grown-up!” Unlike the beloved Peter Pan character, children eagerly want to feel mature beyond their years and have phases where they write off hobbies, activities, and even stories that are for their target age group.
Before we know it, we aren’t kids wishing we were adults anymore; instead, we’re adults wanting to be kids again. As grown-ups balancing career goals, responsibilities, and everyday stresses, I’m encouraging you to give in to any inklings of childhood whimsy you may have. In other words, put down the classics for a second and pick up a picture book. Read on to find out why you’ll never be too old to read a picture book. Despite the name of the children’s fiction genre, there’s no limit on the age of the readers.
Reason 1: Heal Your Inner Child
Nostalgia hits the hardest when you’re faced with struggles that come along with adulthood. Recall positive childhood memories by diving into classic picture books such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. Other great titles that will make you feel like you’re sitting criss-cross applesauce on the class carpet during story time are If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Rainbow Fish. These picture books will bring a smile to your face and maybe even make you think about your favorite elementary school teacher, a heartfelt reading moment with a loved one, or quirky childhood memories you may have forgotten over time.
Or, as an alternate approach, reclaim negative experiences from childhood by reading books that resonate with themes that were sensitive to you while growing up. An excellent example is Beautifully Me by Nabella Noor, which discusses body image among youth and encourages self-acceptance and love regardless of appearance. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is an anti-bullying classic that readers can revisit to celebrate their differences and reflect on heavy experiences with a lighthearted read.
Reason 2: Connect with Children You Know
Regardless of whether you have kids, aspire to be a parent in the future, or have loved ones who have kids, picture books are a great way to connect and empathize with the children in your life. Often, adults undermine children’s emotions and experiences because the experience of being a child feels so far removed. Reading picture books about events or behaviors considered rites of passage for children reminds adults that being a kid is not all unicorns, gumdrops, and lollipops.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld explores themes of childhood grief and coping with sad events by turning to someone who can be an active and empathetic listener. Doerrfeld uses animals to represent different emotions and reactions in the grieving process; for example, a bear represents anger. However, the main character, Taylor, is only truly comforted by the rabbit who listened to what was going on in her life and did not try to control how she reacted.
Another great selection is Brave Every Day by Trudy Ludwig, which follows Camila as she navigates her anxiety about her class trip to the aquarium. This book offers a true testament to facing one’s fears and helping others in need of support. Both of these highly acclaimed picture books not only help children work through these emotions but also provide adults with a new perspective from which they can connect, sympathize, and relate to children in similar situations.
Reason 3: Bridge the Empathy Gap
Picture books are an excellent medium for exploring complex topics and societal issues, as their messages are accessible to readers of all reading levels. A picture book about diverse cultures, religions, or ethnic groups fosters an environment where readers gain knowledge of the world around them in a palatable and entertaining way. Picture books about keeping an open mind and celebrating differences should not be limited to a youthful target audience!
More than Words by Roz Maclean is a fantastic read on communication diversity and the varying needs of others. It offers the reader space to observe examples of nonverbal communication throughout the book. Both children and adults gain insight about how communication extends beyond words and how powerful friendships and connections can be when one keeps an open mind.
I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids by Nyasha Williams is another example of how affirmations and the representation of diverse identities within media, specifically picture books, are crucial for shaping future generations to be inclusive and for ensuring children feel seen in the books they read.
Reason 4: Nurture Your Imagination and Problem Solving
Does everything magical and whimsical have to stop after childhood? The answer is: No, it never has to end. According to an international survey, 88 percent of adults reported that maintaining an active imagination helped with their everyday problem-solving. Furthermore, in a study, 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as one of the most critical skills for leaders. Creativity and imagination still apply to adult life. A great way to use your imagination and sharpen your creativity is to read artistic, expressive picture books.
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle celebrates the power of art and demonstrates how everyday sights can be interpreted in unique ways. This picture book focuses on animals being colored just as the artist perceives them; hence, the mention of a blue horse in the title.
In the picture book classic, Harold and the Purple Crayon, the main character can draw whatever he imagines, with possibilities limited only by his imagination. In both of these picture books, it is evident that imagination can take you far into realms you believed to be unimaginable, as can the trait of creativity for a leader.
Reason 5: Incorporate Fun into Your Day-to-Day Life
If you need instant stress relief and some good laughs, read a picture book! Many picture books contain humor that is both appropriate for younger audiences and appealing to adults. At times, reads on our TBRs can contain themes or content that seem too heavy to consume on top of our everyday stressors. You can turn that frown upside down in less than five minutes by reading a silly picture book.
This Is Not My Hat and I Want My Hat Back by John Klassen are filled with deadpan humor and illustration sequences that can make readers of every age giggle or crack a smile. A little fish stealing a hat from a big fish and a bear looking for a hat stolen by a rabbit are such simple animal-fantasy concepts, but Klassen finds the perfect balance and makes this concept straightforward and hilarious. Whether you choose to read these books with a child or solo, your stress levels will be significantly lower.
The next time you find yourself struggling to pick your next read or if you find yourself reminiscing on your childhood days, try out a picture book. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the insight that you’ll gain into yourself, the children in your life, and human nature overall. Even if you’re all grown up, you can still enjoy and benefit from both the magical and realistic elements that picture books provide readers of all ages.
Read our article for more imaginative picture book recommendations here.
Check out all of the Bookstr team’s picture book recommendations on our Bookshop shelf here.
