Picture books not only nurture children’s imagination, but are also very effective as a communication tool between parents and children. In this article, I introduce three foreign picture books that continue to be loved around the world, along with their charms. These books are ideal for reading aloud to parents and children and are very popular in Japan. Through picture books, children’s sensibilities can be enriched and parents and children can have time to bond with each other.
Introduction
A picture book is more than just reading material for children. It is a work of art and a means to educate and nurture the mind. In particular, the time shared between parents and children further deepens the emotions and learning that can be gained from picture books. The three picture books presented here are beloved by many families around the world, and we will explore the specific reasons why.
I Love You to the Moon and Back
This picture book was written by Amelia Hepworth and features warm illustrations by Tim Warnes. The story expresses the deep love between father and son bears through their daily life in nature. Scenes of them confirming their love for each other under the stars at night provide a sense of security for children and a heartwarming read for parents as well. This picture book is ideal for bedtime reading and contains a message of nurturing love in a child’s heart.
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Goodnight Moon
Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, this picture book creates a serene bedtime atmosphere. It features simple sentences that say “good night” to the objects in the room one after another, and illustrations in soothing colors. Children will learn the objects in the room along with the repeated phrases and enjoy the rhythmic word play. This habit fosters children’s sense of language and makes this a perfect book for before bedtime.
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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
This picture book by Eric Carle teaches the importance of color and rhythm in early childhood education. The simple, rhythmic text develops children’s language skills while introducing animals and colors. The style of asking what color the new animal is with each turn of the page encourages children to read interactively, providing visual enjoyment and learning. This picture book is also used in many preschools and kindergartens as a fun way to learn colors and animals.
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Summary
Each of the books featured in this issue, “I Love You to the Moon and Back”, “Goodnight Moon” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” has its own distinctive style and educational value. Through these picture books, children can learn new words, learn the names of colors and objects, and most importantly, spend valuable time with their parents. There is a reason these picture books are read around the world. I hope you will incorporate them into your home reading program to strengthen the bond between parent and child.
