What I Love About Picture Books

I still remember the day I was reading Dugga by Rajiv Eipe, a wordless picture book, and a funny thought struck me: “Did the word monster eat all the words?” How, I wondered, did I understand the story without a single written word?

I was younger then, but that moment taught me something lasting and valuable:

“Pictures really do speak a thousand words.”

There’s something magical about picture books. When you open one, you don’t just imagine a scene like you do while reading a chapter book you see the story unfold in its entirety. Our brains are naturally wired to create narratives and make connections with our experiences. So when we engage with pictures, it’s more than just visual input it’s a deeply cognitive and emotional experience. (Fun fact: our occipital lobe and prefrontal cortex are hard at work during this!)

But beyond the science, picture books are simply fun. No textbook or search engine can quite explain the joy of reading them, it’s personal, almost like a secret only you and the book share.

To me, picture books are like childhood friends loyal companions who shaped my early years. They’ll always have a treasured place on my bookshelf and in my heart. Here’s what makes them so special:

1.They’re colorful, detailed, and perfect for quick reads.

A visual feast and a story rolled into one.

2.Their language is fluid, simple, and relatable.

They often have a fluid language which is easy to understand and relate to.

3.They spark imagination—no answers are “wrong,” just different.

Each reader brings their own perspective to the story.

4.They encourage pretend play.

Only a picture book could prompt me to “set up a tea party for a tiger” (The Tiger who came to Tea, Judith Kerr) or “make a pretend trip to market” (Farmer Falgu goes to the Market, Chitra Sounder). Thus, picture books make great pretend and sensory play companions.

5.They create unforgettable characters.

Picture books bring alive characters like Adil Ali (Adil Ali’s Shoes) or Ammachi (Ammachi’s Glasses) or Grinch (Grinch who stole Christmas) with their full endearing quirkiness.

6.They transport us to magical places.

Whether it’s the “100 Aker Wood” or “Whoville,” picture books build whole worlds we never want to leave.

7.They teach us about the real world.

Not just fiction, these books also tell me about true stories of faraway places and events from history that I can relive. They make concepts easier (whoever doesn’t remember, “The very hungry caterpillar” and relates it to the lifecycle of a butterfly?). Picture books make learning fun.

8.They evolve with us.

You can reread a picture book at different ages and discover something new every time.

9.They tackle big topics gently.

Books like Puu by C.G. Salamander opened my eyes to social issues like manual scavenging, without overwhelming me. Picture Books are very useful to understand complex or sensitive issues like climate change, wars etc.

10.They’re for everyone.

Picture books are inclusive. Toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents picture books are truly inclusive. They transcend age and even language.

In a world often too fast and too wordy, picture books invite us to pause, look, imagine, and feel. Whether you’re three or thirty-three, the wonder of a picture book never fades.

So, if you haven’t revisited one lately, maybe it’s time to pick up an old favourite or discover a new one. You might be surprised by what a few pages of pictures can do.

This article was written as a part of ‘Idea to First Draft’ – an immersive program to mentor young writers by Reshma Joel.

Reshma Joel, an engineer with an MBA, transitioned from a fulfilling HR career to follow her passion for writing. Now a freelance content writer and creative writing mentor, she inspires children to express themselves confidently. She teaches on kid-friendly platforms like Bookosmia and is the author of Nancy and the Dosa Cake, a heartwarming birthday story about love, surprises, and family.

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – Copyright Free, Royalty Free images from pexels and canva

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