Reading Beyond Words: The Power of Visual Literacy in Children’s Literature

In a world where images speak as strongly as words, visual literacy has become an essential skill for children’s development. This inspiring event invites pre-school and primary teachers, librarians, educators, and illustrators to explore the role of illustrations in children’s literature—whether in picture books, silent books, or illustrated narratives.

Together, we will discover how learning to read images deepens children’s understanding of stories, enriches their imagination, and strengthens their critical thinking skills. The program will address:

•  How illustrations and text work together to tell stories and shape meaning
• The artistic qualities of children’s book illustrations and their impact on young readers
•  Practical strategies for using illustrated books in classrooms, early education, and libraries
•  How visual literacy fosters creativity, empathy, and interpretive skills in children.

Through engaging talks, discussions, and examples from contemporary as well as classical children’s literature, participants will gain insights and tools to bring visual literacy into their educational and creative practices.

This event is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines, reflect on the artistic value of illustrations, and discover new ways to inspire children to become not only readers of words—but also readers of images.