Literary Christmas Picture Book

What is literary fiction, and more importantly, what is a literary picture book? I have followed a few discussions on Verla Kay’s blue boards about this topic and I’ve found that literary can be a hard term to define.


Here are two definitions I liked from Verla’s:

A story that examines deeper meanings in life, seeks to unearth universal truths. ~Cheryl Klein

Colorful characters drawn with lyrical language. A layered plot thick with setting and mood. A puzzle of a problem. ~Andi W.

So taking these definitions into consideration, I feel The Polar Express is an excellent example of a literary, Christmas picture book.

Author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg tells a story of childhood innocence and a belief in something bigger than ourselves. He sends his character on a magical journey with beautiful pictures that add depth to the setting and mood of this book. The main character faces a problem that many kids face at his age—whether or not they believe in Santa.


If you would like more examples of what some writers consider literary picture books, follow this link to a discussion on Verla's.