What is the primary purpose of picture books?

The primary purpose of picture books is to have the sequence of pictures correspond to print locations. This alignment between images and text plays a crucial role in helping young readers make connections between visual elements and written language. By integrating illustrations with the narrative, picture books not only engage children’s interest but also support their understanding of how print works, including concepts such as directionality and text structure. This visual-textual relationship helps to scaffold literacy development, as it encourages children to predict and infer meanings based on the combination of images and words they encounter.

While the other options, such as developing letter recognition, teaching writing skills, or improving vocabulary, may occur during the process of engaging with picture books, they are not the primary purpose of these works. Picture books primarily function as a medium to bridge the gap between visual representation and textual comprehension, fostering a deeper engagement with the story being told.