When one thinks of a picture book, many times books with little to no text are what come to mind; however many picture books are full of text as well. For purposes of this unit, the term picture story book will be used as described by Zena Sutherland and May Hill Arbuthnot (well-known and respected authors of
Children and Books)
, as a book with a "structured, if minimal plot" that "really tells a story." . . . with "the illustrations in picture story books [being] just as important as the text."
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We will be using books that clearly tell a story to the reader.
Picture book choices should be made carefully. Teachers who use picture books to enhance their lessons sometimes choose according to subject alone. Picture books can be used in every curriculum area. Yet because a book touches on the subject matter being introduced, a teacher should not assume that all picture books bring the same substance to the lesson.
