Is Art in Literature Shameful?

Many adults believe that reading a book with pictures in it makes them seem less intelligent than others who don't. In fact, we tend to skip over the books that blend literature and art in a novel and instead prefer to coin other, more art-heavy books as "graphic novels" so that we know they are distinctly separate.

This could be because most "picture books" are commonly also known as only being books primarily read by children.

But I don't see picture books as a less intelligent alternatives to graphic novels. Rather, I see picture books as a more evenly blended version of a graphic novel that both includes more literature than art, and is also a fundamental part of reading that all ages can enjoy. Not only do you get a deeper look at the settings or characters, you also give your brain a temporary break from reading.

Regardless, some fail to see the difference between graphic novels and picture books, stating that they both use drawings or paintings and writing or dialogue as well. However, I think there is a difference. I believe that graphic novels are made to have the story centered around the art, yet picture books don't quite feel that way.

Picture books commonly include little sketches and usually don't contain as much art as graphic novels or comic books. Picture books hold more literature on the pages than it does any type of art.

So if a picture book is more like a novel than a graphic novel is, why do we shy away from reading them? I think part of the problem is the stigma that adults are too old for such childish things. But I fail to see how adding the talent of an artist to the talent of a writer could ever hinder the story being told.

I will always love the way I read stories and visualize them in my head.

But I will also always love to see other representations than just my own.

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(Here are two links to some picture books for adults that are recommended great reads!)

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