Themes+and+Subjects+in+Picture+Storybooks

What are some popular themes and subjects in picture storybooks?
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//Added by Pat Henderson//

Some of the themes found in picture storybooks are ageless and enduring; family, being cared for, happiness, security, and friendship. They are the kinds of themes that children can relate to on an emotional level, and seem to remain important in literature from one millennium to the next. These themes validate the experiences of many young children and give the reader a story in a world they can easily understand. The words and illustrations convey the content and theme in simple and clear terms which are readily understood by children. The stories are short and very focused, with no secondary storylines. We find these themes in older books: Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941), Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939), Curious George by H.A. Rey (1941), and Corduroy by Don Freeman (1968). These same themes are found in recent publications: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (1987), More More More Said the Baby by Vera Williams (1996), I Love My New Toy by Mo Willems (2008).

Other themes address new experiences in the life of a child and may explain or address the anxiety associated with the new experience. Such changes in a child’s life could be going to school, going to the doctor, dealing with family changes. Some books containing this theme: Franklin and the Thunderstorm by Paulette Bourgeois, Arthur’s Chicken Pox by Marc Brown, Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems.

__Tracy Landry__ The themes and subjects in many picture storybooks present real-life issues and offer solutions to help children overcome obstacles, fears and problems. The stories often describe a real-life situation, using characters that children identify with in order to help young children to understand that others have the same problems/issues that they may be facing. The books usually have a main character that has a challenge or obstacle that he or she overcomes or learns from. An example of a book that teaches these life skills is //How Leo Learned to Be King// by Marcus Pfister. Leo learns that in order to be a great leader, he should be less bossy and lazy. Once he starts showing compassion and kindness, the other animals want him to be their king. An additional example of a children’s picture book that offers a “life skill” lesson is //The Selfish Crocodile// by Faustin Charles and Michale Terry. All of the creatures were afraid of the angry crocodile because he wouldn’t let anyone swim in nor drink from ‘his water’. When a brave little mouse helps him with a toothache, the crocodile decides that sharing and kindness are better than selfishness and anger. Self-esteem and believing in yourself is another common theme in children’s picture storybooks. Leo the lightning bug can’t seem to light his light in the heartwarming story by Eric Drachman //Leo the Lightning Bug//. When the other children see him trying in vain to light his light, they laugh at him. With a little help from a thunder and lightning storm, Leo lights his light. The children learn to not take themselves too seriously, and to show kindness toward each other. Leo learns to believe in himself and persevere. Children’s picture storybooks provide a starting point for conversations about life skills and offer solutions to problems using characters, plots and settings that are attractive and easily understood by children. These books are valuable assets to children, parents and educators. Charles, Faustin, and Michael Terry. //The Selfish Crocodile//. New York: Scholastic Inc, 2000. Drachman, Eric. //Leo the Lightning Bug//. Illus. James Muscarello. N.p.: Kidwick Books, 2001. Marcus, Pfister. //How Leo Learned to Be King//. Broadway: Scholastic, Inc., 1998.   Norton, Barbara E. //Through the Eyes of a Child An Introduction to Children's// //Literature//. 5th ed. Upper Saddle river: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1995.

__Mary McGuinness__ The themes in picture storybooks for young children are closely related to children's needs and what they understand (Norton 181). Many themes focus on life lessons and issues, such as school life, family life, holidays, health, death, being different, prejudice, birthdays and seasons. Young children make connections with themes by relating them to their own lives. What is natural for children is that they receive the given message in the theme regardless if the characters in the story are people or animals. One popular theme in picture storybooks is the subject of friendships. Making friends and forming friendships is important to a young child. //Jessica// by Kevin Henkes is about a young girl named Ruthie who has an imaginary friend named Jessica. Ruthie enters school and makes a new "real" friend. Lo and behold her name is Jessica! //The Rainbow Fish// by Marcus Pfister shows the value of sharing and making friends. As the Rainbow fish shares his beautiful scales, he realizes how wonderful it feels to have friends rather than be alone. Another popular theme is adjusting to new situations such as starting school. //The Kissing Hand// by Audrey Penn show how Chester learns a family secret from his mother that soothes Chester uneasiness about starting school. In the book //Wemberly// //Worried// by Kevin Henkes Wemberly worries about everything but now she is worried about starting school. Both books touch on how new experiences can be scary and uncertain. Themes about general childhood concerns such as learning to ride a bike, adjusting to a new sibling and dealing with bullies are approached in many children's books. //Whistle for Willie// by Ezra Jack Keats shares how Peter wished he could whistle. He tries and tries until finally a sound comes out! //Leo the Late Bloomer// by Robert Kraus is about a little tiger named Leo who is different from his classmates. They can do many things that Leo can't. But soon Leo blossoms and catches up to his classmates. Both books show perseverance, patience, and growth. In order for the theme to capture a child's attention the story and the illustrations need to go hand in hand.

Henkes, Kevin. //Jessica//. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1989. Henkes, Kevin. //Wemberly Worried//. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2000. Keats, Ezra Jack. //Whistle for Willie//. New York: Puffin Books, 1977. Kraus, Robert and Aruego, Jose (Illus.). //Leo the Late Bloomer//. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Norton, Barbara E. //Through the Eyes of a Child An Introduction to Children's Literature//. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, Inc.,1995. Penn, Audrey, Harper, Ruth and Leak, Nancy (Illus.). //The Kissing Hand//. Indiana. Tanglewood Press, 2006. Pfister, Marcus. //The Rainbow Fish//. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2000.