America’s Best-Kept Educational Secret
(compiled by Cay A. Gibson)
Why Use an Illustrated Book Study:
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Cultivating the Imagination:
How to bring the Dead Author’s Society ALIVE through illustrated books!
The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull/ Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
Huey P. Long: Talker and Doer by David R. Collins/ Jack K. Smith
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America’s Best-Kept Educational Secret:
“...all anyone needs — is a free public library card and the determination to invest her mind and
time in her child’s future. The investment can be as small as fifteen minutes a day.” ~ Jim Trelease
The Read Aloud Handbook, pg. xii
“Extensive research has proven that reading aloud to a child is the single most important factor in
raising a reader. These inexpensive fifteen minutes a day are the best-kept secret in American
education.” ~ Jim Trelease The Read Aloud Handbook, pg. xiii
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The Benefits of an Illustrated Book Study:
For Parents:
~ Quilt-free reading
~ Picture books can be enjoyed by multiple age levels
~ Relaxed quality time with child
~ Limited time for parents whom find reading aloud does not come naturally or easily
~ Non-intimidating method of sharing with your child
For Children:
~ Supplies a concrete vision to explain the abstract
~ Relaxed quality time with parent
~ Limited time for high-energy children to sit still
~ Learns reading skills, listening skills, comprehension skills outside of a “school time”
~ Art appreciation

A list of questions to guide you and your child during an illustrated book study is found
in America’s Best-Kept Educational Secret ~ A Guide Booklet complete with a
Twelve-Month Illustrated Booklist ($10.00) www.houseofliterature.com
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Art of Storybooks:
Try these books for getting an illustrated book study started in your home:
We Played Marbles by Tres Seymour/ Dan Andreasen
Miss Opal’s Auction by Susan Vizurraga/ Mark Graham
Mirandy & Brother Wind by Patricia C. McKissack/ Jerry Pinkney
Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester/ Jerry Pinkney
Bach’s Big Adventure by Sallie Ketcham/ Timothy Bush
The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco
Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack/ Jerry Pinkney
Shakespeare series by Bruce Coville
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The Reluctant Reader:
For reluctant readers, Jim Trelease suggests to:
a) consider the timing of the reading
b) consider the length of the piece you’re reading
“When the child is in adolescence...try sharing a small part of the book, a page or two, when you
see he is at loose ends—and downplay any motivational or educational aspects connected with the
reading.”
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The Children’s Hour is taken from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem
(complete 12-month booklist is offered FREE at www.houseofliterature.com)
“Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour.”
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In Defense of Illustrated Books:
Picture books are not “twaddle.” They are, in fact, the bridge to books.
“As an adult I also enjoy the beauty and lovely style of picture books without feeling that children
are the only ones that can get pleasure out of them.” ~ a reading mother
“Charlotte Mason advocated the use of beautiful illustrations. True, most of those were great
works of art. However, even today, some children’s books are beautifully illustrated. To sum up,
I think there is a time and a place for picture books in the lives of children. It is a necessary
stepping stone. Without picture books the ‘Internet Generation’ may not develop an interest in or
a life-long affection for books.” ~ Kelly Gibbons
“There are LOTS of opportunity to discuss art techniques (while using picture books). Books
printed in recent years often describe the artwork medium (watercolor or such) and expertise on the
copyright page. And there is high quality poetry and prose published in picture books too. I think
that quality picture books will build a solid foundation for later appreciation of quality literature
AND art! Don’t be in a hurry to give them up!” ~ Julie in Washington
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Teenage Readers:
An illustrated book study to be used with teenagers studying World War II:
I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Hana Volavkova
A Knock at the Door by Eric Sonderling/ Wendy Ackison
Child of the Warsaw Ghetto by David Adler/ Karen Ritz
A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David Adler/ Karen Ritz
Lisette’s Angel by Amy Littlesugar/ Max Ginsburg
The Yellow Star by Carmen Deedy/ Henri Sorensen
The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco
Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt/ Mark Polizzotti
Best Friends by Elisabeth Reuter
The Lily Cupboard by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim/ Ronald Himler
Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War by Yukio Tsuchiya/ Ted Lewin
Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting/ Stephen Gammell
A Hero and the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz and His Children by David Adler/ Bill Farnsworth
One Yellow Daffodil: A Hanukkah Story by David A. Adler
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki/ Dom Lee