The Power of a Picture Book with Lessons and Literature at BISW

My favorite day of the week was when I was working in a bookstore was Tuesday. This was the day that the newly published books were wheeled into our department on carts heavily loaded with new treasures to read. I was always immediately drawn to the picture books, like a moth to a flame, and would always carve out a few minutes in a busy day to read through as many as possible.  I am not ashamed to admit that my favorite picture books were the ones that made me cry. Not the overly didactic ones trying to teach a lesson, mind you, but the ones with so much heart and love that you couldn’t otherwise be moved. So when one of my favorite authors, Mac Barnett, was appointed the national ambassador for young people’s literature by the Library of Congress in 2025, I was thrilled when he shared his love of the picture book. With his catchphrase,  “Behold the picture book”, Mac shares his appreciation of the picture book and explains that it is often overlooked as a vital literary art form. Many of us fell in love with picture books as children and then again when we read our favorite stories to the children in our lives.  Since starting at BISW, I have used picture books in my lessons with all of the students, from the youngest years up through Year 6. There is so much to learn from a well-crafted picture book and their impact should not be underestimated.

We recently added several new outstanding picture books at the British International School of Washington to our collection this winter, including Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Catia Chien (also the Caldecott Winner!), Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka Con la Papa by Sara Andrea Fajardo and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and Cat Nap by Brian Lies.

BISW Librarian
Ms. Heidi Yoon