Picture Books for Adults to Ponder and Enjoy: Part One

By Eileen Smith, Library Committee

What does the phrase “picture book” bring to mind? A short book, featuring large illustrations, and a small amount of text on each page, made for young children? Yes to most of those, but here in Coffman Library, we have picture books that adults can find both informative and entertaining (grandchildren optional).
 
​Anxiety is a common side effect of stress, which children and adults have all experienced in varying degrees during this pandemic. Sometimes, and for some individuals, anxiety can become overwhelming. In All Birds Have Anxiety author Kathy Hoopmann uses photographs of bird behavior—in a fun and accessible picture book format--to bring humor, understanding, and coping strategies to stressed-out humans of any age. It is simple enough for early readers, insightful enough for adults.

This same author has published picture books on Asperger’s and autism. In All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum (an updated version of her All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome), Hoopmann introduces readers to autistic traits such as sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and social issues through the playful prism of feline behavior. Similarly, her Inside Asperger’s Looking Out provides information on Asperger’s Syndrome from the perspective of individuals who experience it, using portraits of animal behavior with helpful captions.
 
Hoopmann treats these topics with humor, understanding, and compassion. Her books can be enlightening for adults, and help children understand why a classmate or sibling might act differently, or to help them understand themselves.
 
These titles will be on display on the Recent & Relevant shelves this week. You are welcome to check them out, or simply to spend 10-15 minutes reading them in one of the comfy library armchairs. Laughing aloud permitted!