I have been accused by my eleven-year-old daughter of being a “Picture Book Baby.” The crime—you ask? I’ve been caught heavily reading picture books during November’s Picture Book Month and PiBoIdMo.
In my defense, I’d like to present my argument on why this middle-aged mom of two children who are no longer of the said “4-8 year old picture book age” should be allowed to read picture books.
Dear Children,
I know you think that reading picture books is for babies, but I want to explain that it’s really not. Reading picture books is for a lifetime.
Before you were born I shopped the picture book aisles and chose cutesy baby board books and soft cloth books to introduce you to the world of knowledge.
As you became a toddler and small child I read rhyming books and all kinds of picture books to introduce you to language and story.
As I worked as a teacher, I collected and horded picture books because I fell in love with their magic.
As I homeschool you now, I assign special picture books to “enhance your curriculum.” (i.e. Meaning the picture book explains concepts in a better way.)
And when you graduate I’ll give you a picture book gift such as Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”
Picture books have power and punch. They soothe, calm, cheer, delight, make one laugh and cry. That’s why I’m in love with picture books. Therefore, my goal is to write one and have it published. To leave a legacy. In order to do so, I must research picture books. Yep, when I’m reading them, I’m working!
You might think of me as a “Picture Book Baby,” but secretly I’m trying to be a picture book writer. And someday you’ll fall in love again with picture books just like you were when you were a small child. And you’ll read them to your children. It’s a picture book cycle of life.
Love,
Your Picture Book Loving Mama
So Readers, what do you think? Am I relieved of my crime? Is my defense valid?