From Sliding Glass Doors to Playgrounds: Picture Books That Call Kids Outside

By: Cora Astin

In 1990 Dr. Rudine Bishop, OSU prof. of education, wrote that books are often viewed as a mirror, window, or sliding glass doors. Since then, her statement has resonated throughout the education and library communities, prompting ongoing conversations and encouraging us to think more critically about how we view books and in turn which books we are placing in front of children.

IIf you’re like any of us on the CLEL Bells committee, you may have noticed a recent increase in picture books set outdoors. During the review process, one question kept coming up: Why are so many picture books centered around being outside right now?

While there may not be one simple answer, I think it connects directly back to Dr. Bishop’s idea of what books are meant to be for readers. Recently, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt has prompted renewed conversations about how children are growing up, particularly challenging long-held beliefs passed down to parents over the last few generations.

One area Haidt highlights is how children play. In recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on indoor, screen-based play often closely filtered through a parental lens. As a result, children are playing together less and less, and even less frequently playing outside.

What we’re seeing in the picture book landscape right now feels like a blending of these two ideas: the influence of Haidt’s research paired with the enduring impact of Bishop’s statement. Picture books set outdoors serve as sliding glass doors, inviting children to step outside, engage with one another, and rediscover the joy of shared, outdoor play. Here is a list of CLEL Bells Shortlist Nominations from this year that feature outdoor play: