I recently read the children’s picture book Melvin and the Boy, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. One of the many special things I experienced while raising my daughter was reading to her when she was young. She is an adult now and living on her own, but I continue to reserve children’s books at the library from time to time to read myself. In addition to enjoying the stories, I like looking at the illustrations. The talent and creativity of the illustrators and the various styles of art are impressive. The illustrations not only reflect the story but also supplement the story.
Melvin and the Boy is an excellent example of storytelling where the illustrations both reflect the story and add to the reading experience. I won’t tell you the story because I want you to read and enjoy it yourself, except to say a young boy needs to deal with a disappointment and make a decision. The artwork of course shows the boy and the turtle whom the boy named Melvin, the park, and the boy’s parents who are part of the story. But in addition the pictures show more than what the words of the story say. The story doesn’t say the parents are concerned, but the illustrations show the parents’ facial expressions of concern and affection for their son. The story doesn’t say in words that the parents love each other, but the fondness they have for each other is shown by their holding hands while walking together and in other ways. And the story doesn’t directly have the parents tell their son they’ll be there for him whatever his decision, but the illustration of the boy walking home with his parents on either side of him at the end of the story makes that clear.
So in addition to hearing the words of the story, which are special in themselves, children seeing the illustrations of positive, accepting, and loving ways people interact is bound to have an influence on them. These are such important qualities for each of us to have toward others, and it’s never too early for children to see examples of them. Yet another reason to read to the children in our lives. And to appreciate the books as adults as well.