Since reading the picture book Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham, I have wanted to sing its praises to the world. Now I am thinking that a Picture Book Club for grownups might just be the answer.

On Wednesday, while reading it aloud to my students for the very first time, my chest tightened and an unrequested silence filled the air.

LeUyen Pham’s book spoke a story that all of us understood. It not only connected me to my students; it connected me to the world.

That afternoon, I called my mom — to tell her about Outside, Inside. She had seen the cover but had never heard the words. I knew my mom would love the story so I read it aloud to her over the phone. I wanted to share it with someone who understood, and this time, I did not try to hold back my tears from the past ALMOST two years.

When COVID shut down our schools, I was working as an elementary school creative writing teacher and saw all students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

As a self-proclaimed introvert, having students and families watching me through Microsoft Teams felt incredibly invasive.

Parents felt comfortable commenting on my voice — on my every move. Teenagers popped in, laughing and joking. Families talked aloud; fed their children, watched television, played video games….as I desperately tried to figure out how to inspire from behind the constraints of a computer screen.

At the start of the 2021–2022 school year, those who loved me knew that I desperately needed a reset, and I found what I needed by turning to picture books.

Even though I had acquired plenty over the years, my collection desperately needed an update. I started reading reviews and making a list. I ordered those I had to have and felt a childish giddiness with the arrival of each bag or box left on my doorstep.

With my list of must-have picture books growing, I decided to post a project on Donor’s Choose. I called the project For the Love of Reading. Within weeks, some wonderful people, who believed in my project, funded it. I was incredibly humbled. They completed my list.

The books from For the Love of Reading arrived on the Monday before Thanksgiving. I raced over to my school, closed for vacation, elated to find four brown boxes piled one on top of the other, waiting for me outside the school’s locked front door.

My mom took a ride with me over to the school, and when I went to drop her off, I asked if she wanted to see the books. Together, we opened the brown boxes and admired each cover as I shared with her my story for selecting each title.

I love every book I got that day but made the decision that when I returned to work, I would start with Outside, Inside. I had already selected the two picture books for Monday and Tuesday; I would read aloud Outside, Inside on Wednesday.

Reading a picture book a day is as much for me as it is for my students. It is something I look forward to, happiness guaranteed. I love reading picture books, and not just because I am a teacher.

So what do you think? A Picture Book Club? For adults?

I will begin.

I recommend Outside, Inside. Once you get the book (or borrow the book), find people (not necessarily children) to read it aloud to.

I just know you won’t be able to stop there.

Happy Picture Book Club.