Childhood Memories: Why Good Illustrations Matter

This week, as part of the Kids Ministry staff, I was asked to look through some children’s books in my church’s small library and resource center to help decide if they should be kept or discarded. I was also asked for recommendations for new children’s books and I’m excited about that too!

I used this library as a child, probably more frequently than the public library because it was open Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night when we were at church. It was our family “meeting spot” when my siblings and I were old enough to leave our classes by ourselves. Our library number was “3”, making it very easy for us as kids to check out our own books.

While looking through the pile of possible discards this week, there was an element of business, simply retiring books that were worn or damaged, an element of fun, laughing at some of the dated artwork or cheesy titles, and a surprising element of sweet memories.

One book in particular caught my attention. It was a simple story called Debbie’s Birthday Party. The copyright was 1969. (No, I’m not that old. The book was already old when it entered the library!) There wasn’t much of a plot, no problem to solve, or any unexpected turns. Honestly, I didn’t really remember the story. However, as I turned the pages, it was like each illustration was a perfect match for an image stored deep in my long term memory. I hadn’t thought about this book since the last time I checked it out over twenty years ago, but I must have had this book out on repeat check-out for a long time. I’m guessing this was before I could read since I don’t remember the story or words, but the pictures were instantly recognizable.

It was interesting to note the pages about sewing, dancing, and a beautiful party (which are some of my favorite things now).

As you choose books for your child’s library, even before they can read, think about the illustrations. The words, message, and language matter, but so do the illustrations. For the prereader (or even the beginner reader), they might “read” the book by the pictures dozens, even hundreds of times more often than you are able to read the words to them. For me, I want the illustrations imprinted in their minds to be beautiful, not merely eye-catching. Children deserve both good stories and good art.