In children’s worlds, art and stories have always been intertwined.
Just watch any child draw a picture – more often than not, when you ask about what’s going on, they will happily explain the scene with a narrative that begins with a kid version of “Once upon a time” and ends with a definitive bang.
Recently, research in cognitive science has caught up with practice. Studies show that both drawing and interpreting pictures are excellent preparatory activities for learning how to read. When children have practice creating images – whether in pen, crayon, or finger paints – and spend time looking and thinking about pictures they see, they are better equipped to consistently and correctly interpret written text into meaning.
In other words: picture books are not just fun to look at and read – they can literally help your child become a reader!
That’s the idea behind the Books To Treasure program, now in its 16th year, sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust through a grant by the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation. We want to use the power of artwork in children’s literature to draw (pun intended) children into reading. As part of Books To Treasure this year, the award-winning illustrator Shadra Strickland will be giving a free public presentation about her art and creative process on Friday, November 9 at 7 p.m. at the Hardesty Regional Library in Connor’s Cove.
Additionally, every second-grader in Tulsa County will receive a free copy of the book Please, Louise, illustrated by Shadra Strickland and written by Toni Morrison (yes, that Toni Morrison, long-time literary lioness and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature) and Slade Morrison.
This intricately illustrated book follows a young girl, Louise, as she heads out on a cloudy, rainy day to her local library.
The Booklist review of Please, Louise points out the importance of Shadra Strickland’s illustrations in Please, Louise: “Strickland’s illustrations bring Louise ’s world to life; the objects of fear, in dark colors and threatening profiles, dominate the pages until the world of the library embraces her. Off comes her hooded coat, the sun comes out, and she now dominates her environment. We even see a close-up of her face, totally absorbed in a book, a friendly dog by her side. A cozy way to address the subject of fears—and to get children to the library.”
Children will be captivated by the detailed artwork, and may possibly even be inspired to work on their own drawing – and writing.
Laura Raphael, Children's Services Coordinator, Tulsa City-County Library