10 Picture Books You're Never Too Old For

We tend to think of reading picture books only to our preschool children, often as a cozy bedtime routine. Don’t stop there!  Children’s authors use the picture book format for varied reasons, some of which older children and adults can more readily relate to than toddlers.  A picture book can illustrate social issues, or take us back in time.  Some stories just can’t be told in two lines per page.  A complex story, illustrations rich in detail, word play and a relatively sophisticated sense of humor can delight grade school children, even adults.  Children who have learned to read will increase and enhance their vocabulary with the additional visualization illustrations provide.  The following books are part of our larger list of Picture Books for Older Readers :

A Bus Called Heaven  (Bob Graham) is abandoned in a worn out city neighborhood.  One small girl sees the potential in this providential gift and unites families and friends to turn the bus into a happy haven and gathering place.  Threatened by the tow truck and dump yard, the bus is ultimately saved, along with its occupants.  You will finish this book with a positive sense of what any of us could accomplish.  

Furious George Goes Bananas (Michael Rex) is a sly parody of his cousin, Curious, with a nod to King Kong  Anyone who has read Curious George adventures will recognize and chuckle over this big ape’s take on America.

The Journey takes us into the “big city..." of Chicago as seen through the eyes of an Amish girl from downstate.  Set in relatively contemporary times, you’ll recognize Chicago landmarks and perhaps be motivated to take a trip to see the old and new in the Windy City.

Another piece of Americana is viewed with some nostalgia in Stable (Ted Lewin).  Beautiful watercolors, some in sepia tone, visualize the history of Kensington Stables near Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.  

 A horse of a different color is commemorated in The Donkey of Gallipoli  (Mark Greenwood).  This true story of another War Horse will certainly leave you feeling sobered yet admiring of the courage exhibited by so many during WWI.

With the Presidential election this fall, politics will be a hotopic. The Buck Stops Here (Alice Provensen) gives us entertaining pages of presidential trivia in detailed drawings.  A book to browse rather than read.

Two years after the 9/11 tragedy in New York, The Man Who Walked Between the Towers  (Mordicai Gerstein) won the Caldecott Medal for telling the story of Philippe Petit, who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center Towers in 1974.  Gerstein memorializes the towers with the sense of freedom and joy that the tightrope walker felt.

The Rhyming Dust Bunnies  (Jan Thomas) become hilariously exasperated with Bob, the only dust bunny who can’t seem to make a rhyming pair.  The cartoonish quartet escape the dust pan just in time, but only temporarily.

from macmillian.com

Grandpa Green (Lane Smith) recaps his life through creative, detailed topiaries.  A multiple award winner. 

Zen Shorts (Jon Muth) are not Japanese underwear, (forgive me, I’ve been reading  Dav Pilkey again) but a wonderful introduction to some of the lore of Zen Buddhism.  With a giant panda as teacher, young Addy, Michael and Karl are recounted 3 stories to ponder.  Muth was chosen by Caroline Kennedy to illustrate her family oriented books.

Picture Books for Older Readers also includes short classroom read-alouds: books which are easy to read with bold graphics and appeal to preschoolers through 4^th grade. Ask us for the latest additions!