A Picture Book Should Be Child Relatable

Challenges: Books And Kids

Topics of Interest

   

        I have much respect for authors who can write a picture book. Picture books are one of the more difficult genres to succeed in. The story needs to be blended magically, everything working together purposefully, and quickly wrapped up in a mere 32-page package with a pretty bow on top, so to speak. If the book's ending instills an uplifting, feeling inside, or creates a motivational inspiration, then, in my opinion, you know the book was well written and properly illustrated. It seems like it should be relatively easy, but truly it is difficult; and if it looks easy, then the writer and illustrator have done a very good job.

    As a child growing up, I remember the picture books that I identified with. They were either the ones where the behavior of the main character was congruent to my own, having a commonality; or the behavior of the main character was something I wanted for myself, to match or emulate. For example, if the protagonist in the story wanted their own horse, (something I dearly wanted as a girl growing up), then her behavior reinforced a connection with my own desires.
    

    Two lovely horse-related picture books come to mind: One is an ABC Horse alphabet book and the other 

• "B is for Buck-a-roo!" by Louise Doak Whitney, Gleaves Whitney, Susan Guy (Pictures)
• "Robert the Rose Horse," by Joan Heilbroner, P.D. Eastman (Pictures)                   

    A second example is with my older brother who identified with the superheroes in stories. I'd catch him with a cape play acting out brave battles and the like. I believe he identified with their goodness and abilities that matched his own hidden desire to be strong, powerful, protect the innocent and have the ability to fly. I already knew he was strong and powerful, but I also knew jumping off the roof (an idea many kids have with superpower envy) wasn't going to work. Lol! I'm happy and relieved he managed to survive that phase.

Two books with Superheroes I enjoyed are:    

• "Brave," Stacy McAnulty paired with great pictures from Joanne Lew-Vriethoff 
• "Superhero School," by Thierry Robberecht

    Regardless, children will be motivated when they discover a book that leads them on the path to their own identity, especially when it's congruent in nature to a likable character in aspects of behavior, wants, and needs. I believe a child identifying with the protagonist is one of the most necessary requirements leading toward the success of a book.