Before I became an English professor, I taught young children for several years. Back then I often incorporated picture books in my lesson plans and not just when I was covering language arts topics. When I taught children about science, for example, I found that many of the kids in my classes gained a better understanding of the scientific concepts that I was covering when I included science-related picture books. Even though I had not yet come across the phrase “visual learners,” I came to realize that many of the kids in my classes learned best when I shared with them visually engaging presentations of information in the form of picture books. I am pleased to report four such picture books have recently come out by Charlotte picture books authors/illustrators.
I Fuel by Charlotte author Kelly Rice Schmitt and illustrated by Jam Dong traces the story of petroleum from the days of the dinosaurs to the present. Schmitt focuses on fossil fuels, but she also covers alternative energy sources, such a solar and wind power. She provides children with straight-forward information about how ancient life forms become oil and then how oil is refined into fuels. She does not shy away from the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels, such a global warming.
A Credit Card Takes Charge by Charlotte author Kimberly Wilson and illustrated by Mark Hoffman introduces children to the uses and misuses of credit cards through telling the story of an anthropomorphic credit card. The story is amusing, but the book contributes to children’s understanding of financial literacy. This book relates to Wilson’s two previous picture books about currency—A Penny’s Worth and A Dollar’s Grand Dream.
I Dream for You is written and illustrated by the Charlotte husband and wife team of David Wax and Brett Blumenthal. Wax provides the text, and Blumenthal provides the pictures. Intended for young children, this book conveys to children the dreams that their parents have for them as they grow up. In the process, however, this book provides information about a wide variety of animals, including mountain gorillas, big horn sheep, and bald eagles. Blumenthal’s illustrations of these animals are strikingly beautiful.
Disgusting Dinner by Charlotte author Roxanne Falls and illustrated by JP Roberts is a humorous story about a monstrous dinner party featuring all sorts of “gross” foods, but it is also a story about the value of being open to trying different types of food. It’s a funny book, but it subtly encourages children to be respectful of diverse culinary traditions.
These four pictures books are very different from each other, but they all lend themselves to introducing children to information and concepts. They all also contribute to Storied Charlotte’s reputation as a hub of talented writers and illustrators of children’s books.