With great sadness, I read an article in the New York Times about how picture books have become obsolete. I was appalled to learn that the polls show parents are pushing their young children to forgo picture books for the ever-popular scholastic chapter book.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a need for the easier-to-understand chapter books, but they cannot replace the rich language of picture books. These well written stories are meant for adults to read to their children and therefore have higher level words with insightful meanings.

I hope the people of Albert Lea are not among those who forget the intelligence of books like “Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One, “Molly Bannaky,” “It’s Not My Turn to Look for Grandma,” and “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” I challenge the adults of our beautiful town to buy picture books, check out picture books from the library and give picture books as gifts. Let’s give the beauty of the written word back to our children.

Apryl Gorton

Albert Lea