Understanding Picture Books: History and Classification
Picture Books: Definition, History, and Types
Definition of Picture Books
Picture books are illustrated books in which both words and illustrations contribute significantly to the story's meaning. In contrast, books with occasional illustrations that primarily serve to decorate the text are simply called illustrated books.
History of Picture Books
Orbis Pictus, an ABC book written and illustrated by John Amos Comenius in 1657, is widely considered to be the first children's picture book. Historically, Europeans and Americans often believed that books were intended for the serious business of educating and soul saving, rather than for enjoyment.
Types of Picture Books
Picture books encompass a wide range of formats and purposes, categorized primarily by their structure, content, and intended age group:
Baby Books (Ages 0–2)
These are simply designed, brightly illustrated, durable picture books intended for the youngest readers. Types include board books, vinyl books, and cloth books. These books typically have little or no text.
Interactive Books
These books stimulate a child's verbal or physical participation as the book is read, encouraging engagement beyond passive listening.
Toy Books
Toy books use paper that has been engineered to provide special features, such as pop-up, see-through, movable, changeable, or three-dimensional illustrations.
Wordless Books (Ages 4–6)
These books depend on carefully sequenced illustrations to present the story. They contain no text, or the text is limited to one or two pages.
Alphabet Books
Alphabet books present the alphabet letter by letter to acquaint young children with the shapes, names, and, in some cases, the sounds of the twenty-six letters.
Counting Books
Counting books present numbers, usually 1 through 10, to acquaint young children with the numbers and their shapes, the number names, the sense of what quantity each number represents, and the counting sequence.
Concept Books
Concept books explain an idea or concept, an object, or an activity rather than telling a narrative story.
Picture Storybooks
These are books in which a story is told through both the words and pictures, where both elements are essential to the narrative.
Pattern Books
Picture books that emphasize repetitive word patterns, aiding in language acquisition and predictability.
Easy-to-Read Books (Ages 5–7)
These books are created to help the beginning reader read independently with success. Language is often controlled, and words are short and familiar. There is usually an illustration on about every other page.
Transitional Books
Specifically designed for the child who can read but has not yet become a fluent reader. Characteristics include an uncomplicated writing style and vocabulary, illustrations on every third page, division of text into chapters, slightly enlarged print, and an average length of 100 pages.