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Walking Through a Book

By Julie Douglas, Family Program Specialist

I recently experienced a rare treat…a walk through Mary Englebreit's gorgeously illustrated The Night Before Christmas.  The Children's Illustrated Art Museum features the work of artists who are published in children's books. Children and adults can enjoy the illustrations of Englebreit,  Astrid Sheckels, Don Bertram, and many others at this unique, hands-on museum in Crestwood Mall near St. Louis. 

During the holiday season, enlarged and backlit pages of Englebreit's rendition of the popular Christmas poem are tucked between twinkling lights and evergreen trees.  The reader is transported into a household anxiously awaiting Santa's visit.  As director Jeanne Johnston explained, there is something new to discover in the illustrations each time one "walks" through the book.

Don't you love the idea of walking through a book with a child?  So often our children are exposed to life at high speed.  This time of year seems to be especially fast-paced. But good things… a walk in the first snowfall, hot chocolate, carols, the full winter moon, the scent of cookies baking…are reminders that sometimes life is best experienced at a slower pace.

Walking through a book is easy to do.  Choose a book with inviting illustrations.  Before reading, look at the cover.  What do you think this book might be about?  Who do you think will be in the story?   Predicting what will happen sets the stage for comprehending the story that is heard or read.

Next, instead of diving right into the text, take a "picture walk" through the book.  Let the child set the pace, but be prepared with a few open-ended questions to focus his attention on the story that is unfolding in the illustrations.  "Who do you think this is?"  "Why does this character look so sad?" "Have you ever seen a place that looks like this?" "What is happening in this picture?" Wonder aloud about how the illustrator created the pictures. Did he or she use watercolors or collage? Talk about how the illustrations make you feel.  If the muse strikes, make up a story of your own as you stroll through the pages.  The key to an enjoyable picture walk is to take your time, open your senses, and let yourself be transported.

For more information about the Children"s Illustrated Art Museum, visit http://www.stlciam.org.

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