November was Picture Book Month and thanks to donations from the Altrusa Club, children in Head Start classrooms, the Escanaba Public Library, and the Gladstone School and Public Library have new picture books to enjoy. Media Assistant Karen Demay, above left, and Gladstone Library director, Lori Wells, along with two young students, look over a selection of new books. Picture books are important because they are the gateway to literacy and expose children to fine art and poetic language. They contain universal truths and themes that help children better understand the world. Some picture books are so special they are read over and over, treasured for a lifetime and enjoyed by young and old alike.
Altrusa Club members, Sharyn Deuel, left, and Frances Michaels, share newly donated books with Escanaba Public Library patron, Olivia Larson, who said the book, “Mice,” was her favorite. Whether the books are classics like “The Little Engine that Could” by Piper and “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrice Potter; or recent favorites like “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems and “Go Away Big Green Monster” by Ed Emberley, they engage young imaginations in a way nothing else can.
The youngsters in Patti Powell’s Head Start class at the Escanaba Early Child-hood Center show off the new books that are available in their classroom.
Children in Gina Boney’s Head Start classroom at Webster Elementary School excitedly read their newly-delivered books. Book World in Escanaba provided support for the book purchases. Visit the picturebookmonth.com website for more information and shop our local book stores for memory making gifts.