Picture Books

Picture books are books where the illustrations are just as important as the words. The pictures and text work together to tell the story. Picture books are often the first books children fall in love with. Many picture books are enjoyed by readers of all ages because of their beautiful art and powerful messages.

How Picture Books Are Made

Most picture books are 32 pages long. An author writes the words, and an illustrator creates the pictures. Sometimes one person does both. The pictures do not just repeat what the words say. They add new information and feelings to the story.

Famous Picture Books

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is one of the most famous picture books ever. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has been loved for over 50 years. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a bedtime classic. These books have touched millions of readers around the world.

Fun Facts

• The Caldecott Medal is given each year to the best-illustrated picture book in America.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into over 60 languages.
• Some picture books have no words at all and tell the story only through pictures.

Did You Know?

Picture books are often harder to write than they look because the author has to tell a complete story in very few words.