Whenever I want to learn something new, I go to the library. Not for the reference shelves or online journals, but for the picture books! Whether I’m curious about octopus camouflage or how to befriend my anger, picture books offer accessible, wonder-filled introductions to big ideas—making learning feel like play.
With their blend of story and illustration, picture books invite us to approach the world with curiosity and delight, distilling wisdom and knowledge into something simple, beautiful, and deeply human.
But, as LeVar Burton says, “you don’t have to take my word for it.”
Why Picture Books Matter for All Ages
Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop describes picture books as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors into the human experience. Through their art and stories, they help us see ourselves reflected, glimpse the lives of others, and step into new worlds with empathy and imagination.
This is true not only for children, who are still developing curious brains and compassionate hearts, but also for adults, whose hearts may feel calloused and whose neural pathways may have lost some elasticity. Especially in a world where many adults believe empathy is a sin, picture books become more than just stories. They are small and powerful tools for growing imagination, deepening compassion, and reminding us what it means to be human.
Ask A Librarian: Why Adults Need Picture Books Too
My friend Amelia is a children’s librarian, so I asked her:
Why do picture books matter, not just for kids, but for adults too?
“Picture books are not written to be read by children, they are written to be read to a child by an adult. Because of this, they are designed to foster connections and inspire imagination.”
From a relational perspective, Amelia says that picture books help kids process emotions, imagine new adventures, and make sense of their world. Before a child goes to school for the first time, they might read a story about it, giving them a chance to practice the experience in their imagination before the big day arrives.
For adults, the impact is just as real. Picture books remind Amelia what it felt like to be a child—how overwhelming it was to experience things for the first time, and how much wonder those moments carried, too. “They reconnect me with childlike wonder,” she told me. And on a lighter note, they’re really funny: she loves finding the silliest, wackiest stories to share at storytime.
What Picture Books Teach Us About Life and Emotions
Picture books don’t shy away from the full spectrum of human experience. They give us language for big emotions, gentle pathways into new experiences, and joyful reminders that learning doesn’t have to be complicated.
At the library, Amelia often helps families find stories that prepare kids for real-life transitions—such as starting school, welcoming a new sibling, or even grieving the loss of a pet or grandparent. These books serve as gentle guides into tender or intimidating territory, offering both children and adults language for feelings that are hard to name.
I’ve experienced that power myself. I remember crying in a bookstore after reading Big by Vashti Harrison. As a kid who was bullied for being “too big,” and as an adult still learning to love all the space my body and spirit take up, this book spoke to a part of me I didn’t know needed healing. To see a child make space for herself, name her pain, and give the hurtful words back to the ones who said them—it was empowering in a way that caught me off guard.
That’s the gift of picture books: they slip past our defenses and speak to the tender places we didn’t realize still needed healing.
A Librarian’s Favorites: Picture Books Adults Will Love
Of course, no conversation about picture books is complete without naming a few favorites. I asked Amelia which stories she still carries with her and which ones she loves to share with adults rediscovering the magic of picture books.
A Picture Book She Still Loves: Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. “Tacky is super weird and not like the other penguins, but he’s never shamed for it. In fact, all the things that make him different are what allow him to save the day.”
A Hidden Gem: Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, a gorgeously illustrated palindrome that unfolds into a tender story about courage and grief.
Gateway Books for Adults: Amelia suggests King Baby by Kate Beaton, Bathe the Cat by Alice McGinty, The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz, and How to Pee Your Pants: the Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson. Each book is funny, clever, or cozy in ways that land just as well for grown-ups as for kids.
Libraries as Sacred Spaces of Joy
Although libraries have existed for millennia, the concept of creating dedicated spaces for young readers is relatively recent. This cultural shift recognized the importance of imagination and access for the youngest among us, and that spirit is still alive today. (You can learn more about the history of children’s libraries on the Forever Ago podcast.)
Local librarians like Amelia, who create welcoming spaces for kids and families, and literacy advocates like PBS Resident Librarian Mychal Threets, who spreads “library joy” online, remind us that libraries are about more than books. They’re places of belonging, healing, and delight.
As Arthur the Aardvark famously put it: “Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card.”
Don’t Leave Picture Books on the Shelf
Picture books connect us across generations and experiences. They remind us that being human is overwhelming and delightful, hilarious and heartbreaking. When we open a picture book, we’re not just reading, we’re rehearsing empathy, practicing courage, and rediscovering delight.
So here’s your invitation: pick up a picture book this week. Sit with the art. Let yourself laugh at the silliness. Let yourself cry at the tenderness.
And if you’re looking for a place to start, check out Illustrated Ministry’s curated Picture Book Library. This ever-growing collection includes the picture books we recommend for our Mini Revolutions curriculum, but it’s also a wonderful resource for readers of all ages.
Illustrated Ministry is an affiliate of bookshop.org. Any purchase made through these links not only supports local bookstores, but also gives us a couple dollarbucks to keep making the quality content we all know and love.
[…] And much like picture books, storybook Bibles invite readers of all ages into wonder. We explore that more in Picture Books Aren’t Just for Kids. […]