By Brittany Schaaf, St. Charles City-County Library
You know what is underrated? Picture books! I have a 17-month-old daughter, and as we work our way through the Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, I am in awe of so many of the picture books we have read together.
There is such elegance and beauty in having to tell a story in less than 20 pages, sometimes less than 100 words. April 2 is International Children’s Book Day, I would like to challenge any readers - no matter their age - to pick up a picture book from the library. Whether it is a favorite you loved as a little one (my personal favorite was “I Love You, Blue Kangaroo” by Emma Chichester Clark) or something published more recently, I think you will be surprised by the impact picture books can have. A few picture books I have recently loved that I think readers of any age would enjoy:
"After The Fall" by Dan Santat: You know the story of Humpty Dumpy (famous for falling off the wall), but what about after the fall? Caldecott Medal winner, Dan Santat, explores facing your fears, finding hope, and learning to fall in love with your hobbies, dreams, and life again. If you need some encouragement, this is a fantastic choice.
"Another Word For Neighbor" by Angela Pham Kranz: “Han was old and mostly ornery. That’s another word for grumpy. Kate and Olly were curious and loquacious. That’s another word for talkative”. After two small children move in next door, Han tries everything to keep them out, keep their messes from getting out of hand, and keep their questions at bay. Until they ask, “Who’s that?”, pointing to a photo of Han’s late wife. This is a wonderful story about the power of neighbors, being present, and letting others in.
"Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" by Eileen Spinelli: Grab your tissues for this one! Mr. Hatch keeps to himself until one Valentine’s Day, when an anonymous package arrives at Mr. Hatch’s doorstep with a message: “Somebody loves you”. But who could have sent it? The box of chocolates completely changes his life, bringing sunshine, hope, and new neighborhood friends. If you are feeling lonely, I recommend reading this book (and then passing it along.)
"Every Little Kindness" by Marta Bartolj: Wordless picture books are incredibly enchanting to me. Not only are they gorgeously illustrated and oftentimes very moving, but they are a great way for multiple generations to enjoy a story together. Bartolj’s book is no exception, showing how one act of kindness sparks another and another and… If you are more of a movie fan than a book fan, I recommend checking out any stories without words like this one.
"In Every Life" by Marla Frazee: Clocking in at just 50 words, this beautifully illustrated book still packs a punch. Inspired by a Jewish baby-naming blessing the author heard in 1998, the book came to be 22 years later, during the height of COVID and the birth of the author’s first grandchild. Each phrase in the book features different emotions, celebrations, or moments that unite us all: the wonder, the light, the doing, the comfort, the mystery, the tears, and the love. I immediately bought a copy of this book after reading it.
To discover more picture books (and books of all shapes and sizes), visit the Library or check out our online calendar at stchlibrary.org. There, you can also register for any of these wonderful events at the Boone’s Trail or Augusta branches:
Free Comic Book Day - Sat, May 2: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Augusta & Boone’s Trail Branch - all ages. We will be passing out free comics and will have comics available for all ages! Please take only one comic per person to ensure everyone gets the chance to take one home.
Crafting Connections - Sip & Stitch* - Mon, May 4: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults and teens. Bring your current work-in-progress and join other yarn artists as we sip, stitch, and talk about our projects.
Discover Crafting: Pressed Flower Cards* - Mon, May 4: 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. and Tues, May 5: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults. Join us to create 3 spring-themed cards, each with a clear window to display some dried pressed flowers of your choosing. Envelopes will also be provided. This is a repeated event; please register for only one session.
Crafting Connections - I Love Quilts!* - Tues, May 5: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. What will you create? Meet other quilt lovers at this monthly event.
Canasta - Hand & Foot* - Tues, May 5, 12, 19, 26: 1 to 3:30 p.m., Thurs, May 7, 14, 21, 28: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults. Need to get out of the house? Learn to play Hand & Foot Canasta!
Coffee and Conversation - Thurs, May 7, 14, 21, 28: 9 to 10 a.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and conversation with others in the community.
Crafting Connections - Yarn Arts - Thurs, May 7, 14, 21, 28: 2 to 4 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults and teens. Other yarn enthusiasts will keep you company while you work on your knit, crochet, or embroidery project.
Make-It-Monday* - Mon, May 11: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Grab a friend, come to the Augusta Branch, and work on your unfinished projects! Spend all day or just a little while.
Book Discussion - "Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult* - Mon, May 11: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - adults. Ruth, an experienced Black labor and delivery nurse, is assigned to a newborn whose parents are white supremacists. They don’t want Ruth to touch their child, and the hospital complies with their request. The next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. She tries and fails to resuscitate him, and as a result, is charged with a serious crime.
"Read to a Dog" - Tail Waggers - Love on a Leash* - Thurs, May 14: 6 to 7 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - children. Kids can practice reading aloud to an attentive, adorable dog.
Book Discussion - "Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard* - Mon, May 18: 2 to 3 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. A narrative account of the twentieth president’s political career offers insight into his background as a scholar and Civil War hero, his battles against the corrupt establishment, and Alexander Graham Bell’s failed attempt to save him from an assassin’s bullet.
Playtime at the Library - Tues, May 19: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - toddlers and babies. Enjoy station activities that encourage early literacy development through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! We will have toys, books, and activities designed for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.
Crafting Connections: English Paper Piecing* - Tues, May 19: 2 to 4 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Learn how to English Paper Piece, a fun method of sewing fabric pieces.
Book Discussion - "Local Woman Missing” by Mary Kubica* - Thurs, May 21: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - adults. Shelby is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case goes cold. Eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find.
*Register at stchlibrary.org/events or call Boone’s Trail at 636-398-6200 or Augusta at 636-228-4855 for more information about classes and branch hours. All St. Charles City-County Library branches will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.