I'm so excited that the Picture Books for Older Readers (PBOR) Database has just been launched by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL).
This amazing FREE resource illuminates the way in which picture books can be of value to readers of all ages - including children in upper primary through to secondary school.
The database has been put together by an experienced team of children's literature experts, with an annotation, links to the Australian Curriculum, and free teacher's resources provided for each book. Each book has been carefully selected and analysed by this team.
The database is intuitive to use and provides a wealth of valuable information.
I'm such a firm believer that picture books are works of art that can be of immense value to humans of all ages - from babies through to adults. This is due in part to the way in which picture books are often so layered - with deeper levels of meaning that go beyond the text and the images. Such picture books can be interpreted depending on the level of understanding and experience each reader brings to the story. The spaces that are left between text and illustrations encourage readers to use their imagination to predict or infer what might be happening.
Picture book creators such as Gary Crew, Shaun Tan, and Libby Gleeson, have created picture books that illuminate universal themes which are suitable for older readers - including migration, war, loneliness, and loss. Exploring such themes through picture books makes these stories accessible to children of all ages and abilities.
Additionally, picture books can be utilised to enhance literacy both at home and in the classroom. Picture books can be used to explore varying points of view, the integration of text and images, and literary devices such as alliteration or metaphors.
If you are a parent, teacher, librarian, researcher, or just someone who derives joy from the magic of picturebooks - I urge you to check out this new database and discover a wealth of information right at your fingertips!
You can access the PBOR database at this link: