In September 2020, Colby Sharp reminded us that picture books are for all ages.

Sharp’s video got me thinking about a mini-project I started on Instagram since beginning social isolation in March 2020. As I read to my kid, I started documenting pages that spoke to me about our lives. Here are some favorites:

Clockwise from the largest top image, these are: (1) The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems, (2) Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall, (3) The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter, (4) The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, and (5) Willie Goes to School by Pauline Vinson.

Other titles that have spoken to me recently include: Just You and Me by Sam McBratney and Ivan Bates and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz.

At the end of reading The Hulu Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin and Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Oprah describes her love of hula hooping as a “full, fully grown adult.” Picture books are the same. They deserve shelf space on full, fully grown adults’ book shelves.

Sharp describes pictures books’ ability to extend our empathy towards others. During this time period, picture books have extended my empathy for myself. Reading these books to my kid, I’ve recognized myself in the Pigeons’ jitters, marveled that we’ve been here before with classroom health checks, and imagined that my kid and I are lighthouse operators on a small rock in the ocean.

If you want to get back into picture books here are three ways: (1) Remember old favorites from your childhood and “author chase” (look for more by the same author or illustrator) to find more or use the search terms [title of your book] + read alike (2) Reach out to your local librarian for suggestions and (3) Check out award winners and lists.