The illustrations in picture books are the first paintings most

In the dawn of time, when the world was young and the first children opened their eyes to the light, the images that filled their minds became the very foundation of their understanding of the world. The great storyteller Anthony Browne speaks to this truth when he declares, "The illustrations in picture books are the first paintings most children see, and because of that, they are incredibly important. What we see and share at that age stays with us for life." It is a simple yet profound truth: the images we encounter in our early years become the lens through which we see the world, shaping our very souls.

Imagine, if you will, the child in the humble abode of an ancient home, seated near the flickering fire, listening intently to the stories of elders. The first paintings they see are not found upon grand canvases in the halls of kings, but within the stories told to them by the elders. These first visual images—whether painted upon the walls of their cave, or drawn in the sand—are what shape their understanding of the world. Browne’s words remind us of this powerful idea: illustrations are not just decorations or distractions, but the first visual language a child learns, an introduction to the world they will come to know.

Consider the tale of the great Leonardo da Vinci, who as a child was drawn not just to the great texts of his time, but to the vivid, rich images that filled the pages of books and manuscripts. The illustrations of animals, plants, and human forms shaped his understanding of the world and laid the foundation for his genius. Indeed, da Vinci’s fascination with drawing, with visualizing the world around him, began in childhood—just as Browne suggests, these early images are the cornerstone of a child’s lifelong pursuit of knowledge. What da Vinci learned in the images of his early years carried him forward into the art, science, and engineering that would forever change the course of history.

In this way, illustrations in picture books become the very first seeds of creativity. They spark the imagination of children, teaching them not just about the world around them, but about the limitless possibilities that lie beyond what can be seen. For a child, to see an image of a lion, a bird, or a distant mountain range is not merely to recognize it—it is to begin the journey of exploration. It is in the early images that a child learns not just to understand, but to dream, to imagine, to believe in the worlds yet to be discovered.

Let us remember the example of Aesop, whose fables were often brought to life not just through words, but through images that danced upon the page. The illustrations in the fables were not mere adornments; they were the very means by which the story took root in the minds of the young. The fox and the grapes, the tortoise and the hare, these animals became more than just characters in a tale—they became lifelong symbols, etched in the minds of generations. The illustrations carried the wisdom of Aesop’s teachings far beyond the written word, weaving a visual tapestry that lasted a lifetime.

So too, in modern times, the illustrations of books such as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or "Where the Wild Things Are" are not mere adornments of the page. They are the first teachers of the young heart and mind. These images speak directly to the child, shaping their imagination, instilling in them the power to see the world differently, and to understand that within every small thing, there is vast potential. As Browne wisely points out, these early illustrations stay with us for life—they become a part of us, a permanent foundation upon which we build our understanding of the world.

Thus, we are reminded of the immense power of images—those first, vivid pictures that fill the minds of children. It is not simply that these images are beautiful or engaging, but that they carry with them the seeds of our future. They shape us in ways we cannot fully understand, teaching us to see with more than just our eyes, but with our hearts and imaginations. The illustrations that fill the pages of picture books are not just for children—they are a sacred tool for shaping the future, for planting the seeds of creativity, empathy, and understanding in the fertile soil of the young.

Practical action calls us, as parents, educators, and storytellers, to recognize the power of what we share with the young. Let us choose images that are not just pleasing to the eye, but ones that inspire growth, imagination, and a deeper understanding of the world. As Browne teaches us, what we see and share in the early years will stay with us, so let us carefully and intentionally choose those first images that will shape the hearts and minds of future generations. In this simple act, we help to shape the world itself, one image, one story, one child at a time.