The illustrations expand, dramatize, embellish, contrast or make the story clear. The illustrations and text work together in some way. The pictures can set the mood, reinforce the story, tell a different story or reveal details not in the text. Picture books are often used in middle and secondary classrooms because the contain elements of language, art or subject that are appropriate to more mature audiences. These books can be used to explore serious subjects, to teach themes and literary devices or to stimulate classroom discussion.
Older students can explore ideas openly, sometimes through humor, in a picture book.
Basically, if a picture book is good literature, then it can and should be shared with any age level. In a good picture book, the author and illustrator collaborate to create a superior work which utilizes the talents of both. Donna Norton has developed eight evaluative criteria to determine whether a picture books is a good one. Will the work appeal to the intended audience in terms of plot, characterization, etc. Franklin Watts, 1974.