One of the easiest and most effective ways to support your child’s reading development, especially in the early years, is by exploring the pictures in a book together. Before children can decode words, they rely on images to understand the story, build vocabulary, and make connections. That’s why Tip #2: Identifying Pictures is so important!

Why Picture Talk Matters

When you ask your child to describe what they see in the illustrations, you’re helping them:

• Strengthen observation and critical thinking skills
• Build vocabulary and descriptive language
• Understand the story without needing to read every word
• Learn how pictures and words work together to tell a story

How to Use This Tip

Here are some simple ways to incorporate picture-based questions during reading time:

Before you start reading:

• “What do you see on the cover?”
• “What do you think this book will be about?”

While reading:

• “What’s happening in this picture?”
• “How does the character look? Happy, sad, surprised?”
• “Can you find something red in this picture?”
• “What do you think will happen next based on this picture?”

After reading:

• “Which picture was your favorite? Why?”
• “How did the pictures help you understand the story?”

Reading with Purpose

Books with rich, detailed illustrations are perfect for this activity. Wordless picture books are also great tools—without text, children rely entirely on visual cues to create the story in their own words, which builds confidence and storytelling skills.

Wordless or Nearly Wordless Picture Books

These are ideal for letting children “read” the story through pictures alone:

• Flotsam by David Wiesner
• Journey by Aaron Becker
• Tuesday by David Wiesner
• A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
• The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
• Chalk by Bill Thomson
• Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie dePaola
• The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
• Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
• South by Patrick McDonnell
• Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
• Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley

Picture Books with Rich, Detailed Illustrations

These books combine text and strong visual storytelling, perfect for pausing to explore the artwork:

• Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
• Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
• The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
• The Mitten by Jan Brett
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
• Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins
• Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Interactive or Seek-and-Find Books

These are great for encouraging detailed observation and conversation:

• Look! by Jeff Mack
• I Spy series by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick
• Can You See What I See? by Walter Wick
• Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford
• Spot books by Eric Hill
• Look-Alikes by Joan Steiner

These books offer rich opportunities to pause, ask questions, and help your child connect visuals to story meaning—whether there are words on the page or not.

There’s no right or wrong answer—what matters most is encouraging your child to think and share. Celebrate their ideas, ask follow-up questions, and let their imagination lead the way.

Remember: Every time you pause to talk about a picture, you’re helping your child to make their own connections in the story and building a strong foundation for reading success.

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Mr. Poole’s Reading Tips are developed by Derek A. Poole M.Ed. Derek is the Director of Education for Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County and the Founder of Our Community Reads, an early literacy initiative that promotes learning through literacy and a love for reading. The program is designed to provide and model best practices for children and their families throughout Wayne County. The program is entering its 17th year. Currently, the program reads to over 3000 students per week in 9 School Districts.