An article in the New York Times suggests that sales of picture books for children are slumping because today’s overeager parents push their children to read chapter books instead.
Perhaps. But I’m in agreement with many of the article’s commenters, who say that picture books have simply gotten too expensive, especially given the current state of the economy. Many say they prefer to buy picture books at garage sales or check them out at the public library.
A commenter who’s a librarian notes that she checked the circulation stats of her library’s picture books and discovered a 10% increase in check-out rates over the past year. That would seem to indicate that the commenters are on the right track and perhaps the writer of the article was blowing the issue out of proportion.
That said, you can go in any bookstore and see all sorts of books that are quite beautiful, but whose plot lines are lame, if they have plots at all. My kids’ favorite books usually had strong plots, ones that they anticipated every time we read aloud together.
What do you think? Are parents pushing their kids into chapter books, or is it just that picture books cost too much?
We reached a point where we had to stop buying picture books, and not just because the kids were getting too old for them. We used the library a lot, and bought ones that were really special.
There are some wonderful picture books out there that are far superior to some of the chapter books available. Weslandia is a wonderful book and very thought- and discussion-provoking. Much better than some of the chapter books that focus on gross/vulgar subject matter to attract readers.
I just think it’s a combination of factors. I saw one comment somewhere saying that birth rates have gone down so there are fewer toddlers to buy picture books for than in recent years.
Yes, I agree. They are simply too pricey, for not very much content. What difference does it make to a young child if the books are brand new, or worn from use? I enjoy going to the second hand store and finding books with good stories, good artwork, and for less than $2.00. Sometimes it’s worth buying a new book, which we do on occasion as well, but that’s something special.
All of those reasons seem plausible, Margaret…thanks!
Lily, some of our favorite picture books were bought at garage sales or library used book sales. In fact, I kept the very favorites for my someday grandchildren 🙂
Hi Barbara,
I enjoyed reading, I think it’s probably a little of both. Chapter and picture books ~have~ gone up, and there’s definitely a push to know more sooner, in public school, and in some homeschools.
Another possibility could be that homeschooling itself has become much more popular recently, so that the “hand-me-down” aspect may play a small part too. I know in our case, my sister homeschooled, and would hand down a lot of their books to us. Picture books included.
I too have a child with Downs! I really like your blog, and writing style. -I’m now following you on Twitter. 🙂
Tammy
You makes some great points, Tammy. Just followed you back 🙂
I think it’s a little of both. According to our librarians, once kids start reading, many parents figure they are past the picture book/read aloud period. Which is sad. I still enjoy reading picture books with my kids and have several I saved from my own childhood.
A problem I’ve found with my youngest is that SHE always thought picture books are too babyish. If the pictures looked a certain way, she wouldn’t even sit with me to hear it. (My kids can be snobbish when it comes to artwork.) Now that she is eight, I think she is just starting to realize how great picture books can be, but she still insists on a good story. If she thinks it is talking down to her in any way, she doesn’t want to hear it. 🙂
Peace and Laughter!
I still like picture books, too, Cristina. I didn’t have any as a child because I read early (age 3) and everyone gave me chapter books. Thanks to my kids, I have a nice collection now 🙂
I would be in the category of expense. The cost of books has increased and I’ve even cut back on buying hardback books for myself. Picture books are limited with age and only the most beloved ones are kept. Economically it makes more sense to borrow from the library.
Also, common sense tells us the average child isn’t being pushed into reading chapter books just based on the school statistics/scores/testing levels, etc. This scenario seems to be a bit of a stretch imo.
Agreed, Mel. They really are expensive. If they’re being printed in China (as so many are now), the publisher is making a lot more profit than if they’re printed in the U.S. Too bad…..thank goodness for libraries!
Thanks for stopping by!
Of course parents are guiding their kids toward chapter books – picture books are mostly commercialized, processed, and lifeless. Look at the Baby Einstien books. They use the exact same images repetitively from one book to another – just copy and paste using Illustrator, and add new words. The prose is poor, and the concepts are not well developed. Add to this that many older picture books, while of high quality, reinforce images of a world where only white children lived, and everyone was pretty much the same as far as religion, culture, and ethnicity.
The good news is that there are absolutely wonderful books out there! The trouble is sifting through all the others to find the good ones. That is why I started writing reviews of books (www.beautifulbooks.posterous.com) so that parents would be able to find those that are really worth reading!
Picture books certainly deserve a comeback.