Every Month Should Be Picture Book Month!

 It's November~ Picture Book Month! 

Although November is the time when many schools, libraries, and book lovers celebrate the picture book, we should celebrate joy of the read-aloud experience EVERY day!

Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children and it shouldn't stop with our youngest students. Reading aloud is good for all ages as it builds many important skills:

• Introduces vocabulary
• Provides a model of fluent, expressive reading
• And helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about!

Author Mem Fox asks us to "Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud!" Visit her web page for her Ten Read-Aloud Commandments, fabulous ideas on books and other great information.

Picture books are perfect for reading aloud. They build visual thinking skills, helping to connect words to pictures, and there is a picture book for everything. If you look you will find books to match almost any topic or issue there is!

There are many great Blogs and Websites that can help you in your search for quality picture books. Here are just a few: The Picture Book Review, New York Times Best Sellers, NYT Best Illustrated,  and Children, Books and Reading. Caldecott Medal

Pick up a picture book and enjoy!