One of the primary reasons I decided to become a children’s librarian is that I absolutely LOVE children’s literature–picture books, chapter books, and especially Illustrated Fiction (a.k.a. picture books for older readers). I wanted to take this opportunity to explain and highlight this underused section (located right next to the catalog computer) of the Children’s Room.
The Illustrated Fiction section contains stunning illustrated books that are more text-based than regular picture books. The vocabulary is more advanced than your usual picture book as well. These are perfect books to read aloud to children of varying ages. The beautiful illustrations will hold the attention of little ones and interesting narratives will have your older children hanging on to every word. My favorite picture book of all time (The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg) is in this section, as are books by Patricia Polacco and Allen Say. The twisted fairy tales of John Scieszka, as well as the illustrated versions of fairy tale classics by Paul O. Zelinsky, are also housed here.
Staff Picks:
1. Cinderella by Barbara McClintock JP-ILLUS MCC 
2. The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child JP-ILLUS CHI
3. The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton JP-ILLUS HAM 
4. Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco JP-ILLUS POL
5. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg JP-ILLUS VAN 
~Tricia is the youth librarian at OWL and loves books, movies, Motown, Bowie, knitting, blogging, 24, and learning how to be a better cook.
