Why You Should Keep Reading Picture Books to Your Kids After Age 8

Okay, confession time: as a children’s author, I’m wildly biased when it comes to picture books. (Shocking, I know.) But hear me out, there’s real magic in those pages, and I truly believe that picture books still have an important role even after your kids are blowing out eight, nine, or ten candles on their birthday cakes. Seriously. Let me explain why.

1. Picture Books Are Like an Art Gallery in a Book

Picture books are often described as an "art gallery in a book." For younger kids, illustrations are what draw them into the story before they even have the attention span to listen to the words. But for kids over 8, those pictures can challenge them to interpret subtle details, like expressions or settings, that might not be spelled out in words. This sharpens their visual literacy, which is an important skill in today’s image-driven world.

Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that children who engage with both the text and illustrations of a book are better at understanding the relationship between words and images. It’s a skill that builds their cognitive abilities, even as they get older.

2. They Spark Big Conversations

If you’ve ever sat down with a picture book and thought, “Wow, this is deeper than I expected,” you’re not alone. A lot of picture books deal with complex emotions and situations. Think about it: how many picture books touch on themes like kindness, fear, and friendship? Kids over 8 can handle those deeper messages, and reading picture books with them invites meaningful conversations.

Whether it’s a book about empathy (I may or may not be a little partial to my series Linus the Troll, I do love that troll!) or one that discusses the power of kindness over appearances, picture books are a great way to open the door for discussions that might otherwise be tough to have. After all, when you can talk about the book, you can talk about life.

3. Picture Books Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Picture books often present a problem, and it’s up to the reader to figure out how it gets solved. For older kids, this can be a great exercise in critical thinking. The short format doesn’t overwhelm them with too many details, and the pictures provide clues that help kids think more deeply about the story.

Research discussed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) shows that reading picture books with older kids helps support critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By interpreting both the text and illustrations, children learn to make connections, predict outcomes, and understand multiple perspectives. You can read more in their article “Books That Matter: Picture Books That Invite Deep Thinking” on NAEYC.org.

4. They Help Kids Develop Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand and manage one's emotions, is something we all want our kids to develop. Picture books, with their rich characters and diverse situations, are a fantastic tool for helping kids recognize and name their feelings. When you read a picture book about a character’s journey, kids can connect with the emotions of the character, which helps them relate better to their own feelings.

A well-crafted picture book can also show kids how to deal with complex emotions like anger, fear, or sadness in a healthy way. And that’s a skill that lasts far beyond the age of 8!

5. They Foster a Lifelong Love of Reading

If your goal is to raise kids who are lifelong readers, picture books are a must. They keep reading fun and engaging, without feeling like work. That “storybook magic” never goes away, and it’s never too late to introduce your kids to a book that will leave a lasting impression. And trust me, once they see that picture books can carry big ideas, they’ll be more likely to pick up other types of books too.

So don’t box up those picture books once your kids hit "big kid" status. Pull them off the shelf, curl up together, and dive back into their wonder. I promise, you’re giving them (and yourself) a gift that sticks.

Picture Books for Big Kids: A List to Get You Started

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products I personally love and believe in!

Not sure where to begin? Here are some picture books and illustrated stories that older kids (and their grown-ups) can really sink their teeth into, whether it's for the gorgeous art, the layered storytelling, or the big themes tucked into small packages:

• Author vs. Illustrator by Donald Lemke and Bob Lentz. A witty, behind-the-scenes look at how stories come together — great for sparking discussions about creativity and teamwork.

  
  

• The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill. A gentle, magical graphic novel about friendship, tradition, and self-discovery. Perfect for visual learners and fantasy lovers.

  
  
  
  

• Weslandia by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Celebrates imagination, individuality, and resilience. The illustrations are packed with quirky, delightful detail.

  
  

• The Paperbag Princess by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko. A twist on the classic fairytale with humor and heart, still just as satisfying for 10-year-olds as it is for 5-year-olds.

  
  

• Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown. Funny and just a little spooky — with themes of bravery and growing up that older readers can appreciate on a new level.

  
  

• What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom. A gentle and beautifully illustrated book about facing fears and finding opportunity in difficulty.

  
  

• After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat. A clever continuation of a classic nursery rhyme that dives deep into fear, resilience, and recovery.

  
  

• "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" by Chris Van Allsburg. This book presents a collection of mysterious illustrations, each paired with a title and a one-sentence caption. The open-ended nature of the story sparks creativity and allows kids to imagine their own versions of the tales. It’s a fantastic way to inspire storytelling and creative thinking in older kids.

  
  

• "Madame Badobedah" by Sophie Dahl. Who is Madame Badobedah? Mabel sets out to prove that an eccentric new hotel guest is really a supervillain in this witty storybook about an intergenerational friendship.

  
  

So next time you're browsing the bookshelf, don’t skip the picture books just because your kid is reading chapter books. Let them experience the richness, subtlety, and beauty these stories offer. You never know what conversations might come from a single page.