By Katie Warrener, Warsaw Community Public Library Children’s Librarian

November is Picture Book Month, a celebration of a timeless format with endless possibilities. What story will you find inside? As illustrator Matt Phelan says, a picture book invites you to “sink into this world which will exist for thirty-two pages but will last in your memory forever.”

Picture books spark creativity, stoke the imagination, build empathy and support many kinds of learning. Your local library staff is excited to connect you with picture books to match a mood or meet a need. We can recommend picture books for an excellent read-aloud experience. We have them for various ages and for the ageless. We can help you find books depicting favorite characters and stories on nearly every topic under the sun.

The Warsaw Community Public Library children’s department celebrates the enduring value of the picture book by sharing some favorites. Amy enjoys “Caps for Sale,” by Esphyr Slobodkina, which has enchanted generations since its publication in 1940. The story invites reader interaction with sound effects and movement. “And it has monkeys. Enough said.”

Duane recommends “Love You Forever,” written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Sheila McGraw, and first published in 1986. There’s “nothing more honest and powerful,” he says, than the parent’s love depicted in this book.

Susie’s favorite was recognized with a 1998 Caldecott Honor for being a picture book of distinction. “The Gardener,” written by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small, tells “a beautiful story of making the most of your situation,” and helping others thrive too, in the middle of the Great Depression.

David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka’s 2013 book, “Moo,” is Stephanie’s pick. It shows how you can tell a wonderfully expressive story with only one word. Another great picture book from 2013 is “Sophie’s Squash,” by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf. I appreciate this story of a girl and her gourd friend for its humor, heart, and visual richness.

Connect with your library this November to share old favorites and discover new classics. For more information about Picture Book Month, visit here.