The Art of the Picture Book

“You’re too old for a picture book.” Is something I hear parents saying to their children from time to time. A common mistake. Nobody is too old for a picture book.

Last week I had an email from Sarah Balint, who is a librarian at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library in Canada. Sarah is running a six week project every year, introducing  children and adults to the art of picture books. Together they look and read picture books and discuss the artwork. They make art.

I am honoured to be one of the authors Sarah chose. She sent me a couple of pictures that the children made. The email made my day. Not just to see the lovely pictures inspired by my books, but also knowing that people like Sarah, librarians and teachers, are making an effort to introduce people to the art of picture books.

A good picture book doesn’t teach children only to be interested about reading. It is developing a child’s  imagination, encouraging their creativity, teaching them to be observant and investigative too and it makes them interested in visual art.

A good picture book slows time. It makes you think.

We are spending more time at home with children at this time of “corona”, so here are a couple of pictures illustrating how to paint a mouse. Why don’t you have a go?

all the best

Petr