by April Robins
Member since:
October 15, 2007

The ending age of Children's Picture Books

January 23, 2008 12:38 PM EST
views: 173 | rating: 10/10 (18 votes) | comments: 46

At what age did you or will you stop buying children's picture books for your children or grandchildren and start buying them chapter books? 

I stopped when my kids were ten years old.  My grandson, who is ten, reads chapter books and is really too old for picture books.  Children learn how to read much earlier in school now.

 

 
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Comments: 46 ( 1 removed by April Robins )

April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 12:43pm EST
Me too Angela M.
Donna Besso Jan 23, 2008, 12:47pm EST
My grandchildrenare too young for chapter books. I stopped buying picture books when their parents were about 8.
Steph-in-NE ..... Jan 23, 2008, 12:57pm EST
chapter book,, son was early age, my real mom used to read to him at the age of four, he went to kindergaten telling the teacher the plot of Cats people, think that the title, an adult book,
daughter about 7 she like mis blume books,,
still buy story book for grandson, no chatper yet only 5
Mine are still very young, I think i'll switch when the kids show interest.
Matthew E. Jan 23, 2008, 1:17pm EST
I was maybe five or six when my Mom said, "I want you to start reading books without pictures in them." The first was "Winter Worm Business". I didn't like it at all, but tried again with "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume. After that I was hooked and still thank my mom for that lfe changing edict to this day. I miss my Mom.
Matthew E. Jan 23, 2008, 1:19pm EST
Oh yeah, I don't have kids of my own yet. But I figure it's different for everyone as to when to start them on chapter books. A bit of encouragement made the difference to me.
Cheryl W. Jan 23, 2008, 1:55pm EST
It seems like my kids (and myself..lol) loved picture books for a long time. We had our favorites and they never seemed to tire of them. I suppose when they were 8 or 9 they started feeling older and we started buying more chapter books. But I still kept our favorites....:)
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 1:56pm EST
Thank you Donna Besso.
Heather W. Jan 23, 2008, 2:36pm EST
I stopped buying picture books when my daughter was 8. She was reading at a 5th grade level then.
I'm 51, think I should stop??? :)
WS R. Jan 23, 2008, 2:45pm EST
When they express interest in longer books. I still have 2 that I read with every night, and 2 who have long since moved on to chapter books.
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 3:03pm EST
Katie Scarlett O., thank you for taking the time to comment. I am sorry to hear about your mother. Is that her picture?
J W. Jan 23, 2008, 3:17pm EST
around 12 but I miss buying them for her
Jennifer F. Jan 23, 2008, 4:15pm EST
I think it was around 10 too. We probably read almost all the picture books in our local library and then it was on to the chapter books. We used to get 10 picture books at a time. I loved those days! I can't wait for grandchildren to relive those sweet times.
Jennifer P. Jan 23, 2008, 4:24pm EST
My 8 year old still likes picture books even though all she reads now is chapter books. My 4 year old loves the pictures books and likes her big sister to read her the chapter books outloud. Not sure when I will stop buying them.
Yes that's my mom. The picture was taken in August when she met her first great grandson for the first time. We all treasure this picture. Thanks.
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 6:20pm EST
Deb A, I am glad we are connected.
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 6:31pm EST
Jennifer P. - My eight year old granddaughter still likes picture books also. I don't think she is into chapter books yet. I am going to have to work on her. I have already told her that I want her to be April Robins when she graduates from college. She just giggled and said, "OK Grandma." She is the only granddaughter to date.
Larry H. Jan 23, 2008, 6:42pm EST
Let my wife buy the books if she wants too.
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 8:14pm EST
Larry, I just commented on an article about Red Skelton that Roger Kiser posted today at gather. I think you would like it. I want to ping Col George about it too.

By the way, tell us how your wife would answer this question since she buys the books.
Nancy S. Jan 23, 2008, 8:48pm EST
I always had plenty of both and the older kids read to the younger until the young ones wanted to do it by themselves. Usually right after they started reading well.
April Robins Jan 23, 2008, 9:07pm EST
Thank you Nancy S. Thanks to everyone!
Allana G. Jan 23, 2008, 10:53pm EST
These days, picture books are being used a lot in middle and high schools to demonstrate the different writing traits since the really good ones must be engaging as well as succinct. Plus, picture books are disarming for even the most jaded teenager.
April Robins Jan 24, 2008, 7:57am EST
I have to appologize. I was trying to post an answer and accidentally deleted a comment. Thank goodness I asked her to be my friend before I did that. I hope she will still accept and repost.
April Robins Jan 24, 2008, 7:59am EST
Anya, I have a book that is translated into Spanish. I thought it might be good for a high school spanish class. Thanks!
Beej T. Jan 24, 2008, 11:01am EST
Hey April, I'm with Katie...didn't know I was suppose to stop buying children's books. As long as there are children in the world, there will be a need to buy them books!
Rory P. Jan 24, 2008, 11:07am EST
I think there is a HUGE miscinception that picture books are "easy". There are so many picture books out there that aren't even appropriate for kids in elementary school. Picture books cover a wide range of topics/genres/writing styles and vocabulary ranges from non-readers to post grad. level. I encourage everyone to consider them just as much as you consider chapter books for your older children...ok, I will step off of my soapbox now (sorry!), can you tell I am a teacher? Heehee
Rory P. Jan 24, 2008, 11:08am EST
Great, I just announce that I'm an educator and I make a spelling error...AGH!

Let's try "misconception" instead!
April Robins Jan 24, 2008, 1:29pm EST
Beej T. I am glad to hear that. I am so glad we are friends. Katie is a doll!
April Robins Jan 24, 2008, 1:31pm EST
Rory P., you have a good point about the topics of picture books in today's world. I write with a team, and they just can't stand anything controversial going into our books. My husband says think "Winnie the Pooh" when you write.
Susan N. Jan 27, 2008, 4:48am EST
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so those picture books must have a lot to say.
I think it is up to the individual child when they are ready to go to chapter books. My son was reading them at the end of first grade with only a bit of help - he loved Goosebumps. He still likes picture books and got a beautiful one for Christmas this year about 100 years of Music - he is a freshman (music major) in college now.
April Robins Jan 27, 2008, 3:23pm EST
Thank you Susan. It is hard not to like picture books no matter how old you are.
Karoline L. Jan 28, 2008, 8:20am EST
They are good with the story....but I guess about 9 or 10.
April Robins Jan 28, 2008, 1:10pm EST
Thanks Karoline!
Adele G. Jan 30, 2008, 5:03pm EST
Unfortunately, my grandchildren were never taught the value of books. My great grandchildren's mother reads to them, good for her. I loved books growing up, still love Narnia by C.S.Lewis.
April Robins Jan 30, 2008, 6:25pm EST
Adele, I am so glad to hear that someone is reading to their grandchildren. When ours visit, we always read a story or two together. In fact, my granddaughter adds her thoughts here and there to my stories. Before I submitted Keeper of Happy Faces, I had my two oldest grandkids tell me which Keeper positions they liked best. I deleted the two they thought were not really funny. They love the way the story turned out.
Janet O. Feb 1, 2008, 10:38am EST
There's much to learn from picture books. Well written picture books can teach nonfiction to children because there are details in the photos and illustrations that cannot be expressed completely and succinctly in the text. Fiction picture books are powerful vehicles for learning about the characturistics of story. Even if children are in middle and high school, there are benefits in the analysis of varied authors and illustrators.
I love to read to my grandson. He loves to hear a good book, and then, later, retells the story to himself. The process is so wonderful.
April Robins Feb 2, 2008, 12:26am EST
So well spoken Janet O.
April Robins Feb 4, 2008, 1:07am EST
Heather E. that is really nice of your daugther.
Kate Keeley Feb 7, 2008, 5:47pm EST
Everyone in my family--from oldest to youngest--buys and reads picture books.
Aniko     Feb 19, 2008, 6:49pm EST
My sons started reading early chapter books like Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House around 7, but that doesn't mean they don't look at picture books anymore. Depends on what kind of picture book it is--the Magic School Bus books, for example, are quite advanced in terms of language and information, but they have more picture than text.
Teresa W. Mar 30, 2008, 11:51pm EDT
I love kids picture books. I have a weakness for a beautiful illustration. So I have never stopped buying them. Of course now I can say that they are for my grandsons but really, they're probably more for me!
Susan L. Apr 7, 2008, 5:18pm EDT
I still love picture books. :-) One of the things that draws me in even with chapter books is well-done artwork. And I love the way some illustrators and authors are teaming up to really integrate the art and story nowadays. (But, being a marketing cynic, I know it's all about creating a "brand" for the story series.)

But to the question :-), I started reading chapter books in kindergarten, so I have absolutely no clue when is appropriate. It likely depends on the child. If I had kids, I would be reading chapter books to them as soon as I possibly could, just because there are so many wonderful stories out there that I'd like to read too. But I would think by the age of 10-12, their primary choices would be things that have a higher proportion of words to pictures.
Eric D. Goodman Oct 22, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
Funny, because I'm challenged by this notion all the time when asked what age range my childrens' book, Flightless Goose, is for. I usually mention a broad range -- that it appeals to children from 3 to 10. The truth is, my daughter reads chapter books, but still enjoys reading picture books to my son, who is 3. That's where I came up with the range. I still enjoy reading a good story book to the kids.

My 10-year old began reading chapter books a few years ago. But at night, she still reaches for a trusty old picture story book from time to time.

Check out www.RunGoose.com for more about my childrens' book, Flightless Goose. And thanks for this interesting conversation.

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