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You may think that picture books are just for young children, but there are plenty of picture books which older children will also find equally engaging.

Children's picture books for older readers, aged five and above, tend to have more text on each page and may use more sophisticated vocabulary or a more involved story.

If your child is of this age, she may be starting to learn to read, but it is still really important that you continue to read aloud to her and have lots of fun while doing it. You can explain new words she doesn't understand and discuss some of the more complicated themes or emotions portrayed in the books. Also, at an age when your child's growing independence can make one-on-one time with her harder to find, it can be wonderful for you both to continue the routine of cuddling up and reading a book together.

To try to come up with a definitive list of the best picture books for older readers I combined over 20 highly regarded lists of children's books including winners of prestigious children's books awards, reading lists from reputable sources and bestselling books of all time. Those books mentioned on more than one list are shown below, with books at the top receiving the most mentions.

"The Polar Express" comes out top, appearing six times in the source lists. Dr Seuss appears twice, with the two oldest books in the list: "Horton Hatches the Egg" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". The most recently written book to appear is "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers", a fascinating true story of a Frenchman who strung a tightrope between the two unfinished towers of the World Trade Center in 1974 and walked, ran and danced between them for almost an hour.

by Chris Van Allsburg
First published 1985

by Judith Viorst
illustrated by Ray Cruz
First published 1972

by Dr. Seuss
First published 1940

by John Steptoe
First published 1987

by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Lane Smith
First published 1989

by Vera B. Williams
First published 1982

by Dr. Seuss
First published 1957

by Julius Lester
illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
First published 1994

by Kevin Henkes
First published 1996

by Ed Young
First published 1989

by Janell Cannon
First published 1993

by William Steig
First published 1970

by Faith Ringgold
First published 1991

by Shel Silverstein
First published 1964

by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
First published 1986

by Virginia Lee Burton
First published 1942

by Mordicai Gerstein
First published 2003

New readers may also be interested in children's chapter books, which are short novels where the story moves fast and each chapter is short enough to be read in one sitting.

If your favorite children's book is not on the list, then please do share it with us. We'd love to hear about it. Just click here to share your favorite picture books for older readers and follow the instructions.

For more ideas of classic children's books, check out these lists of top children's books or these Caldecott Award winners.

You may also like:

Classic Children's Books › Picture Books for Older Readers

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You may think that picture books are just for young children, but there are plenty of picture books which older children will also find equally engaging. Children's picture books for older readers, aged five and above, tend to have more text on each page and may use more sophisticated vocabulary or a more involved story.

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Why save picture books for the little guys? Today's titles have plenty of content and sophistication for all grade levels. Check out these titles and the research that supports them. 

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Time to define my terms again!

This is undoubtedly the most subjective of all my lists. Basically, what I'm saying with it, is that picture books are far more wide-ranging than many people suspect. If you say "picture book" they'll imagine something for a 4-year-old. Nothing wrong with picture books for 4-year-olds, of course, but picture books hit a great swath of ages and intellects. Some really aren't for little kids.

This timing on this one is pretty interesting as well. Just yesterday one of my co-workers spoke with me about a picture book that she thought didn't have a young enough text to be placed in the picture book section. That book actually isn't on this list (I disagreed with the assessment) but it reminded me that we think of picture books in very specific terms. I'm hoping to break those terms down a bit. Here then are my favorite picture books for older child readers in 2016:

Older Picture Books of 2016
Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved, ill. By Charlotte Pardi
I do wonder if it's a particularly American instinct to recommend this book of gentle death doing his job to older kids. It's entirely possible that it its native Denmark this book is given to three-year-olds regularly. It's all about the cultural construction, isn't it? By the way - this marks the third time this book has appeared on one of my lists. That may be a record for this series (here are lists one and two).
Ideas Are All Around by Philip C. Stead
Ah ha! It took a while but eventually this book ended up on this list! I truly do feel that of all the picture books of this year, this is the most divisive. People who love it, adore it. People who dislike it, loathe it. Me? I like it. But I do feel it's meant for older kids, and maybe even teens. A quiet, contemplative, fascinating work.
Lucy by Randy Cecil

Aww. I still haven't decided if I should put this book on my early chapter list or not. Ultimately I don't think I will, but it's not exactly your average picture book either. This tale of a little dog that lost her loving home and is on the cusp of entering another is quiet and sweet and just right for the kid willing to wait it out.
Missing Nimama by Melanie Florence, ill. Francois Thisdale
As an American I am ashamed to admit that I was completely unaware of the fact that a great many indigenous women and girls have been going missing for a number of years in Canada. You can read an interview with Melanie Florence and Francois Thisdale about the situation and how they've brought it to light with this book. In the story, a Cree girl must grow up without her mother, and the author goes through the years and the simple fact of how hard it is to move on when you just don't know what has happened.
The Riddlemaster by Kevin Crossley-Holland, ill. Stephane Jorisch
Do you remember Crossley-Holland's Arthur trilogy from a decade or two back? It was quite the big deal when I started working as a children's librarian, though it's faded from the public consciousness quite a bit since then. I was thrilled to find some smart editor had paired the author with the urbane and delightful Stephane Jorisch. There's an undercurrent of fear to The Riddlemaster, but I loved the old-fashioned riddling of it all. It's also a beauty to look at.
Rules of the House by Mac Barnett, ill. Matt Myers
And speaking of undercurrents of fear! I was a bit surprised to find that Mac and Matt's latest is as scary as it is. It gets its spooks legitimately, though. When someone tells you not to go through a certain door, don't do it! Did Bluebeard teach us nothing?
Why Am I Here? by Constance Orbeck-Nilssen, ill. Akin Duzakin
You know, some years you get just a ton of philosophical picture books. Other years the numbers decrease a bit. I love the dreamy quality of this book and the big questions it's unafraid to ask. I just don't have any answers for it.

Interested in the other lists of the month? Here's the schedule so that you can keep checking back:
December 1 - Board Books
December 3 - Nursery Rhymes December 6 - Alphabet Books December 8 - Calde-Nots December 11 - Bilingual Books December 14 - Fabulous Photography December 18 - Easy Books December 20 - Graphic Novels December 21 - Poetry December 23 - American History December 26 - Unique Biographies
December 29 - Novel Reprints December 30 - Novels December 31 - Picture Books

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31 Days, 31 Lists: Day 17 - 2016 Older Picture Books

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Time to define my terms again! This is undoubtedly the most subjective of all my lists. Basically, what I'm saying with it, is that picture books are far more wide-ranging than many people suspect. If you say "picture book" they'll imagine something for a 4-year-old.

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Popular Picture Books For Older Readers Books

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Picture Books for Teens

June 4, 2013 by Mary Voors

I love working in the Children's Services department, but sometimes I come across picture books which I know would be appreciated by teens as much - or MORE - than the younger kids I usually work with. These are some of my favorite picture books which teens will love... or find very interesting:

I've used this book successfully in preschool storytime, I've used this book successfully with 8th graders, and I've used this book successfully with a group of homeschool parents. It's a great story to think about how different people can view things differently.

Can two people with opposite opinions both be right at the same time?

Want to read a book that will make you cry? No, not cry... WEEP? Read Faithful Elephants. This story, set in the late stage of World War II, tells about the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Because of a fear that dangerous animals might escape if the zoo was bombed, many of the animals were killed. The elephants would not eat the poisoned food offered to them, yet they would certainly be a danger if they escaped. The solution reached - and the response of the elephants - is heartbreaking.

A love story. A love story between a tadpole and a caterpillar. A love story about change. A love story which raises the question "Can you ever truly make a "forever" promise?"

This story is funny for little kids. It's tragic (and funny) for teens.

You've probably seen this book.... but if you haven't, rush out and find it! (You can always find it at your local library!) On the left side of each double-page spread is a title and one line from a story. On the right side is a full-page, black and white drawing. The reader's task is to figure out how the two might go together.

It's a book to savor and ponder.

You've studied the Civil War. This picture offers a slice of life based on a true story.

Pink and Say is the story of two soldiers - one white, one African American - the friendship they developed on the battlefield and what happened to them when they are captured and taken to Andersonville.

A powerful and moving story.

I'll admit it. I don't understand this book. But it makes me feel. Sometimes it makes me sad and sometimes it makes me laugh out loud. And sometimes it just makes me confused. But I just know that some of you oh-so-bright blog readers will be able to read this and explain it to me. I'll be waiting. And re-reading just hoping to understand.
That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems (Balzer + Bray, 2013)
You probably remember this author from when you were a kid. Remember the Elephant and Piggie stories or the picture books starring Pigeon? This picture book tells the story of a very hungry fox who invites a very plump goose to dinner. I bet you think you know what happens, don't you? Well.... I was surprised at the ending! It startled me and then made me laugh out loud.

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So, there you have it - some of my favorite picture books which are also appropriate for older kids and teens. What do you think of these books? And I'd love to hear about other picture books which are more than they appear to be and can be read by teens on a different level.

Happy Reading!

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I love working in the Children's Services department, but sometimes I come across picture books which I know would be appreciated by teens as much -- or MORE -- than the younger kids I usually work with. These are some of my favorite picture books which teens will love...

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Explore our list of Teens at Barnes & Noble®. Shop now & receive FREE Shipping on orders $25 & up!

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Guest post by Jessica Ormonde

Picture books aren't just for kids anymore. They can be for all ages. Even a graphic novel is a picture book if you think about it.

There are quite a few titles that while packaged in the traditional picture book format feature twisted humor or complex themes that will appeal to young adults.

At the last meeting of YALSA's Picture Books For Young Adults Interest Group, members discussed how they use picture books with their young adults. Here are some ways you can incorporate picture books into your teen programming and collections.

Read a picture book before and/or after book talks.

Incorporate picture books into book club. Try passing a picture book with YA appeal around the book group, having each person read a page. Be sure to offer the option to pass if they're uncomfortable reading aloud.

Use them as an ESL teaching tool. Picture books have fewer words and more visual context clues than chapter books, and can help build confidence with language for ESL students.

Encourage young adults to check out picture books for younger siblings or children they babysit.

Ready to try out picture books with young adults? Here are some picture books with YA appeal.

y Lucy Ruth Cummin A Hungry Lion, or, A Dwindling Assortment of Animals b
Members of a large group of animals, including a penguin, two rabbits, and a koala, disappear at an alarming rate but the hungry lion remains. Hmmm... I wonder what could be happening to them? Young Adults will enjoy the situational irony and twist on the typically sweet picture book ending.

y Jon Klassen I Want My Hat Back b
A bear almost gives up his search for his missing hat until he remembers something important. A darkly funny ending. Older readers are more likely to appreciate the awkward stares and subtle humor in this story.

y Jeanne Willis Tadpole's Promise b
When a caterpillar meets her perfect love, a tadpole, she begs him never to change, but their relationship is doomed. Another darkly funny twisted ending that teens will love.

y Frank Asch Mr. Maxwell's Mouse b
While celebrating his new promotion at his favorite restaurant, Paw and Claw, Mr. Maxwell orders the "live" mouse special and gets more than he bargained for when his dinner arrives with a little garnish-and quite an attitude! The juxtaposition between such a fancy restaurant setting and anthropomorphic cats is humorous enough. But the way the mouse eloquently and apologetically talks himself out of being eaten is humor older readers will appreciate.

y Neil Gaiman The Wolves in the Walls b
Lucy is sure there are wolves living in the walls of her house, although others in her family disagree, and when the wolves come out, the adventure begins. Effectively creepy illustrations, paired with an unsettling premise make for a great picture book with YA appeal. This is another one with a bit of a twist on the expected ending.

b y Lane Smith
Two readers compare a print to digital media, and learn books are still valuable. Older readers will relate to and/or understand the humorous depiction of a device obsessed individual, and there's also a play on words using the word "jackass" which often makes teens giggle.

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Picture Books for Young Adults - The Hub

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Guest post by Jessica Ormonde Picture books aren't just for kids anymore. They can be for all ages. Even a graphic novel is a picture book if you think about it. There are quite a few titles that while packaged in the traditional picture book format feature twisted humor or complex themes that will appeal to young adults.

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"The picture book is a peculiar art form that thrives on genius, intuition, daring and meticulous attention to its history and various complex components. The picture book is a picture puzzle, badly misunderstood by critics and condescended to by far too many as merely a trifle for the "kiddies."
- Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak understood what many advocates of picture books for teens understand: simple is not simplistic. A writer and illustrator can express something incredibly profound in a picture book using few words and engaging art. It may not have a high Lexile level or Accelerated Reader points, but it may enable the reader to make connections and see themes in a new way. No reader to my knowledge has ever gushed over his favorite textbook, but a beloved picture book will remain an important part of his life. Educators and librarians can tap into this highly visual art form to support teens' development. As teens develop more abstract thinking skills, they are actually better able to understand the content of many picture books. They are also able to think more globally about the social and political issues the books address and think critically about their own communities. We can use picture books for inquiry-based units, writing workshops, models of traits of writing, curricular connections, nonfiction sources, and much more. Feel free to share ideas of how you envision using picture books for teens - and share your recommendations in the comments!

Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Matthew Myers

Educators seeking to draw students into the natural world should take note of the marvelous books in this series, including An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient. These beautiful nonfiction books often read like poetry and capture the grace and elegant design of nature. But A Rock is Lively stands out from the rest by boldly recounting the loud and cacophonous process that goes into forming rocks. It is an informational text that will have Common Core enthusiasts cheering, but most importantly, it will engage teen readers in learning more about the world around them. And they will never be able to say that rocks are boring ever again!

Far beyond the overcrowded and polluted cities a place exists that is untouched by people, a place that still retains its natural majesty that has grown over millennia. Towering trees touch the sky as colorful birds dart between the branches and snakes and lizards creep within the shadows. The world of the rainforest is buzzing with life, with countless unique creatures whose fate is anchored to this pristine space. Open the pages of Jeannie Baker's Where the Forest Meets the Sea and you can enter the world of Australia's Daintree Wilderness, the oldest and largest remaining rainforest in Australia, which is threatened by deforestation and over-development. Illustrated with textured collages made from natural materials, Baker draws readers into the world of the rainforest. Baker's message is effective because it is told through the lens of a father and son adventure tale, a method that allows readers to project themselves into the story and consider the importance of preserving this natural wonder. Where the Forest Meets the Sea can provoke discussion about what is an individual's responsibility to protecting the environment. Educators can use it as a springboard to discuss teens' own community and the environmental needs of places being lost. Educators could even pair it with Seedfolks by Paul Fleishman to discuss what people can do to maintain natural spaces.

The Memory String by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand

Picture books are wonderful because they say something big in a small way. With 32 pages to share a story, authors have to be incredibly selective about their word choice, ideas, and themes they present. This makes picture books ideal mentor texts for teaching the 6 traits of writing. I have used picture books in high school classrooms to emphasize a specific theme and help students develop their own themes. One of my favorite books that captures a moment perfectly is Eve Bunting's The Memory String, illustrated by Ted Rand. In lyrical prose, Bunting tells the story of Laura, a young girl who carries the memories of her family history on a string of buttons. She is devastated when the string breaks and it is Laura's stepmother, Jane, who help her learn that the memory string can grow and change. This is an incredibly sophisticated story about loss, grief, growing up, the power of memories, family, motherhood, etc. (This story can be nicely paired with the Newbery honor book, The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis, illustrated by Leo and Dianne Dillon as part of a lesson about personal narrative and storytelling.) When I have shared this book, I usually bring an item of personal significance and share my own story to inspire my students to do the same. The Memory String helps students realize that they each have a reservoir of stories to tell and share.

Like Jake and Me by Mavis Jukes, illustrated by Lloyd Bloom

We read books for different reasons at different times and it's important to frame this kind of reading for readers. The more tools we give them to examine art, the more they will get from it. (An excellent text to learn the ins and outs of reading pictures is Picture This by Molly Bang.) Despite being a Newbery junkie, I had never read Like Jake and Me (1984 Honor book) until I took a Children's Literature class this past fall with Kate McDowell and she helped us explore this text - and yes, read it to us. (Even as adults, there's nothing quite like being read to.) Like The Memory String, this is a story of a family in transition. Alex tries to build a relationship with his stepfather, Jake, but finds little in common. The perspective of the pictures mirrors the off-kilter relationship that Alex has with Jake without a common thread to connect them. Each picture can be analyzed by looking at the colors, contrasts, angles, proportions, depth, and more. As Jake and Alex start to connect, their size and space from each other changes. The emotional experience is matched with the visual one. Alex is finally able to help Jake when he encounters a wolf spider and hilarity ensues. But more importantly, Alex is able to show Jake that he is capable and brave. It is the blend of text and pictures that conveys the process of understanding each other. Like Jake and Me shows the experience of a developing child and parent relationship that many teens can relate to. Teaching teens to do a picture analysis can improve comprehension and attention to detail. It will help them see other visual media in a new light.

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is a powerful book more suited for teens than younger children. Anita Silvey observed in her Children's Book-A-Day Almanac that "there should be a statute of limitations on the number of times that you cry when reading a book . . . even though I know what will happen, the text has the same effect" ("June 22"). It is both the authentic voice of the text and the masterful pictures that weave together a narrative of war and loss. Pink and Say is a true story that was passed down from generation to generation in Polacco's family. During the Civil War Sheldon (Say) is wounded and Pinkus (Pink) saves his life by taking him home to Pink's mother. Marauders senselessly murder her and the boys escape. They are then captured by Confederate soldiers and taken to Andersonville, where Pink is hanged. Educators can use Pink and Say to put a human face on the history of the Civil War and help young people understand the choices they faced. It can be used as a springboard to examine the themes of right and wrong and moral development, as well as the horrors of war. Learning history can often feel like simply a list of places and dates to students, but when it is paired with captivating stories like Pink and Say, students will better understand the struggles of people of the past - and how it relates to their present.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Wordless picture books can engage readers in making connections between the text and their own lives. This can help all readers, especially struggling readers or English Language Learners, get the most out of the reading experience. Yes, looking at pictures and analyzing them IS reading. The Arrival is a wordless portrait of the immigrant experience. It tells the story of man who has left his wife and child to create a better life for them in the new world. Life in this strange country comes with its own challenges, but there are others who help him and pave the way for a happy reunion. Tan has created a fictional world that shows the alienation and isolation that new immigrants feel through his breathtaking illustrations and creative approach. Readers will gain a sense of strangeness as they explore Tan's world and better understand the search for a place to call home.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

At 526 pages, Brian Selznick's Caldecott award winning book challenges assumptions about what is possible to do in a picture book. Selznick combines his text with rich black and white illustrations that propel the narrative forward, creating a groundbreaking new form of visual storytelling. Selznick's attention to detail breathes life into each page, whether it's the text or illustration. Reading Hugo is like watching a gorgeous silent film - with the magical ability to make it into a "talkie." Teens will be drawn into the story of Hugo, an orphan who lives in a Paris train station, desperate to fix his most precious possession, an automaton, when he steals from the wrong person, a toy shop owner, who has secrets of his own. Set in 1930's Paris, it has the atmosphere of historical fiction, the anticipation of mystery, the poignancy of a coming of age tale, and the excitement of an adventure. Teens may have to search for this book in the children's section, but it will be well worth the effort. It is certainly worth having two copies in your collection for both sections.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

That summer the fence that stretched through our town seemed bigger.
We lived in a yellow house on one side of it.
White people lived on the other.
And Mama said, "Don't climb over the fence when you play." She said it wasn't safe.

Picture books can serve as a catalyst to important discussions about societal and personal issues. Within the framework of a particular story, you can open up dialogue about the teens' own experiences and perspectives on these difficult subjects. The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrations by E.B. Lewis tackles the issue of racism through the lens of Clover's experience with a fence that divides her from her neighbor, Annie. In the end, the two girls sit on the fence together and Annie says, "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down." In Steven Wolk's article, "Using Children's Books to Teach Democracy," he used The Other Side to provoke a profound discussion about society. He found that the students made connections about the fence as a "symbol of social and political division.. but also hope.. that prejudice would stop if everyone knew each other..."(Wolk, 2004). Books like The Other Side - and Woodson's latest book, Each Kindness, can help create a more democratic and kind community within a classroom or library.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsberg

Adolescence is a pivotal time for developing a sense of wonder about the world outside and the world within. Teens are developing critical and abstract thinking skills, creativity and humor, and love of language. Young writers can have their talent nurtured by using wordless books to express themselves. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsberg is the classic example of a book educators have used to inspire students to write. For struggling readers, wordless books remove the pressure of decoding words to focus on comprehension. When educators allow students to become storytellers, who have their own perspective and voice, adolescents gain confidence and feel supported. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick and other (mostly) wordless picture books open the door to adolescents writing about their own interests and experiences. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales, a compilation of stories written by prominent authors, is a companion to the original mysteries. In her review, Elizabeth Bird suggests that rather than inhibiting children's creativity, "Maybe the kids will read these stories on their own, think to themselves "I can do better than that!", and be inspired to write their own versions as well." Pairing both the original book and the compilation can be a wonderful exercise in understanding multiple points of view and interpretations, not to mention examining authors' styles.

Resources

Ansberry, Karen R, and Emily R. Morgan. More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using
Children's Books to Guide Inquiry, K-4. Arlington, Va: NSTA Press, 2007. Print.

Codell, Esmé R. How to Get Your Child to Love Reading. Chapel Hill, N.C: Algonquin
Books of Chapel Hill, 2003. Print.

Culham, Ruth. Using Picture Books to Teach Writing with the Traits: An Annotated
Bibliography of More Than 200 Titles with Teacher-Tested Lessons. New York:
Teaching Resources, 2004. Print.

Fresch, Mary J, and Peggy Harkins. The Power of Picture Books: Using Content Area
Literature in Middle School. Urbana, Ill: National Council of Teachers of English, 2009. Print.

Marcus, Leonard S. Ways of Telling: Conversations on the Art of the Picture Book. New
York, N.Y: Dutton Children's Books, 2002. Print.

Polette, Nancy, and Joan Ebbesmeyer. Literature Lures: Using Picture Books and Novels
to Motivate Middle School Readers. Greenwood village, Colo: Teacher Ideas Press,

2002. Print.

Tiedt, Iris M. Teaching with Picture Books in the Middle School. Newark, Del:
International Reading Association, 2000. Print.

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10 Picture Books for Teaching Teens (Picture Book 10 for 10)

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"The picture book is a peculiar art form that thrives on genius, intuition, daring and meticulous attention to its history and various complex components. The picture book is a picture puzzle, badly misunderstood by critics and condescended to by far too many as merely a trifle for the "kiddies."

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Picture It! Picture Books for Teens - Strathcona County Library

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Picture It! Picture Books for Teens by SCL_TEENS : Please scroll to the bottom of this booklist for non-fiction titles.