National Picture Book Month!

#Celebrating Picture Book Month!

▌Happy Picture Book Month

Each November, we take the time to celebrate the enduring beauty and significance of picture books. This initiative reminds us of the power they hold in fostering literacy and imagination in readers of all ages. We invite you to explore the art of storytelling and the joy that picture books brings to our lives.

▌History of Picture Book Month

The first known picture book for children was published in 1658, Orbis Sensualium Pictus by John Amos Comenius. Eighty-six years later, in 1744, A Little Pretty Pocket-Book by John Newbery became the earliest illustrated picture book marketed for pleasure reading in English. It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that children's books began to be published with an increased number of illustrations.

Picture Book Month is an international initiative co-founded by author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas and her team. Launched to promote the importance of picture books, it highlights their role in literacy development and encourages communities to share their love of reading. Throughout the month, various events and activities take place worldwide, saluting this beloved literary form.

▌Library Collections

At Jacksonville Public Library, we recognize the value of picture books in enriching lives and developing young readers. Our collection includes a wide range of picture books that celebrate diverse stories, characters, and themes. This month, we will feature specific titles that showcase the magic of picture books, available on our blog and in displays at local libraries. Come and explore the wonders of visual storytelling with us!

"In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love. And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like the physical page turn of a beautifully crafted picture book." -Dianne de Las Casas