The Hidden Power of Picture Books for Older Kids

Sneak peek: Picture books for older readers still hold a lot of appeal and developmental benefits. Ideas for incorporating picture books into older children’s literary routine.

One of my favorite parts of being a parent is reading books to my kids, especially picture books. Despite their simple structure, good children’s books often offer beautiful illustrations, captivating stories, and subtle lessons that even the most complex adult books often miss. Even as my children have matured, I’ve continued to discover picture books for older readers that will appeal to them.

Unfortunately, in recent years, as the drive to make childhood more academic has taken hold, the value of picture books is becoming lost, at least in some areas. Based on this New York Times article, it seems this disturbing trend started several years ago. Booksellers and publishers are seeing parents pushing their children out of reading picture books as early as 4 years old. Some parents feel picture books are not academically challenging enough or are too “babyish” for their preschoolers.

Benefits of Picture Books for Older Readers

What a sad state of affairs! What these folks are missing is that picture books actually require quite a lot of brainpower and can actually help children develop their reading skills. As librarian Lisa Von Drasek points out, picture books for older kids can provide wonderful training for current reading. These are just a few of the benefits of picture books for older students:

• Visual literacy. “Reading” pictures is often a crucial first piece to comprehension. In picture books, kids look at the illustrations and use critical thinking skills to see how they fit with the story.
• Higher reading level. Although simple, picture books often include vocabulary at a higher reading level. In contrast, chapter books contain fewer pictures, but the vocabulary is often simple and the plots are predictable.
• Expand horizons. Picture books open the world to kids by exposing them to vivid illustrations of other lands and cultures (fiction and non-fiction).
• The Reason behind the rhyme. Those rhymes may seem simplistic to us but this focus on sounds helps kids learn letter sounds and blending.

Picture Books Are Not Just for Babies

This idea was brought home to me lately in a very real-life way. My second-grade son came home from school and was fascinated with Harold and the Purple Crayon. If you are not familiar with this book, it’s a class from 1955 about a little 4-year-old boy who uses a purple crayon to draw all sorts of adventures. It’s a wonderful book that really inspires a child’s imagination.

Related reading: Classic Baby Books that Boost Brain Development

I was actually really surprised my 7-year-old was interested in this book. I thought he would think it was too babyish. I mean, Harold wears a footed sleeper like a baby in the book. However, my son loved it! He walked around the house with a purple crayon for days, pretending to be Harold. Thankfully, his teachers at school obviously know well the magic picture books for older kids can hold, even to second-graders who think they are such “big kids.”

Related reading: Surprisingly Helpful Calming Activities for Super-Active Kids

Picture Books that Appeal to Your “Big Kids”

With that in mind, I’ve pooled together a list of picture books for older readers (ages 6+). Even if your children are reading at or above their grade level, it doesn’t hurt to throw in some picture books from time to time. If nothing else, it might prompt some imaginative thinking or good conversations between you and your child. Don’t allow these picture books to fade into history!

Picture Books for Older Readers:

Thank You, Mr. Falker: The story of a girl with dyslexia and a special teacher who helped her

Flotsam: A boy finds some interesting and surprising items washed up on a beach.

The Three Questions: Who says picture books are just fluff content? You can spend a lifetime trying to answer these three questions.

Journey: This book is the first in a 3-part series, which also includes Quest and Return. It is SO beautiful!

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick: If you need some ideas for a creative writing assignment, this is the book for you. It can also be a fun way to help boost your child’s imaginative thinking—each curious picture can be the fonder for any number of stories.

One Giant Leap: Have a child who loves space? This book shows the moonwalk in vivid illustrations.

Henry’s Map: If your child is learning about maps and directions, this is the perfect book. My son loved it!

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