Selecting Picture Books For Older Readers
In selecting picture books for my senior students I find Sunya Osborn’s (2001) criteria to be very helpful.
• Mature themes
• More complex illustrations than those that would be appreciated or understood by young readers
• More text or difficult text than would be appropriate for the short attention spans of young readers
• Subtle meanings beyond the understanding of younger readers
• Two levels of meaning - one for younger readers and one for older readers
• Fiction or non-fiction
Most of the books that I use meet these standards. Having said this, there are books that I use very successfully which do not, such as wordless picture books. I am also thinking of books like Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. The text in this book is both short and simple; however, the message it shares is profound. So, while the criteria is useful as a general guide, we should not allow it to limit our choices.
What criteria do you use in selecting picture books?
• Mature themes
• More complex illustrations than those that would be appreciated or understood by young readers
• More text or difficult text than would be appropriate for the short attention spans of young readers
• Subtle meanings beyond the understanding of younger readers
• Two levels of meaning - one for younger readers and one for older readers
• Fiction or non-fiction
Most of the books that I use meet these standards. Having said this, there are books that I use very successfully which do not, such as wordless picture books. I am also thinking of books like Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. The text in this book is both short and simple; however, the message it shares is profound. So, while the criteria is useful as a general guide, we should not allow it to limit our choices.
What criteria do you use in selecting picture books?
posted by Mrs. Corman at 9:43 AM
9 Comments:
I am interested in taking a look at the Sonia Osborn book that you mention. I have not used picture books with older readers very often. Is this one of the better books out there on this topic?
I am interested in taking a look at the Sunya Osborn book that you mention. I have not used picture books with older readers very often. Is this one of the better books out there on this topic?
Tracy, actually, Sunya Osborn is the author of one of the articles posted on our course site. It is great that you are interested in it. You could use it for a Read and React.
I use the selection criteria provided by our board for purchasing any sort of materials. When focusing on picture books for older readers (similar to choosing graphic novels), I keep the medium in mind but still keep to the general criteria. It's "gotta be good".
Diana, does the selection criteria from your board resemble that presented by Sunya Osborn? I wonder if my board has a selection criteria. I've never looked into it. I just ask my librarian to purchase the picture books I think will work well in my classroom.
I usually base it on the content and whether it fits in to one of the themes we are discussing in class. I, like you, find that many of the very primary ones work well with some of the senior themes, but I tend to look for ones with more text, hidden messages, and underlying themes. My kids especially like the ones that have humor in them that only they can get (much like the Shrek movies). I also enjoyed Osborn's article, especially the book suggestions. Because I am interested in this topic, I have done a bit of my own research and found some great picture books for older kids on some great topics. Others may find these interesting too:
I Never Knew Your Name by Sherry Garland - book about suicide
The House That Crack Built by Clark Taylor - obviously about drugs
Just One Flick of a Finger by Marybeth Lorbiecki - guns in schools
These are all very current topics in our schools and good be used to create some very interesting conversations. I have a website with a fairly large list of other titles if anyone is interested..most of them are by American authors.
Jillian
Selection comes from understanding what a good picture books is, using the district selection policy, understanding what themes/subjects are being used in the classroom. A couple of these have included The Perfect Man by Troy Wilson and Mr. Maxwell's Mouse by Frank Asch. Both of these titles can be used in a Middle School and I'm sure both could be used at a high school
Jillian, I am definately interested in your web-site. I just had my TL order The House That Crack Built. I came across it in the reading I did for the VS. We ordered many other titles, too. I just can't remember them all at the moment.
Darinka, thank you for your suggestions.
I use the selection policy guidelines and documents from the department I work for.
With picture books for older students in particular, I agree with comments about deeper levels of meaning. They need to engage students in critical thinking.
Two picture books that recently engaged me in a lot of critical thinking are:
"Into the Forest" by Anthony Browne, and "Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom, and Wishes" by Susan Bosak with illustrations by various well-known artists. Both books appear simplistic, but require multiple readings and deeper levels of thinking.
One concern about the Dream book is the inclusion of a website (www.legacyproject.org) I would want to find out more about this organization before ever using the resource with students.
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