What Do You Do When Your Child Loves Stories but Hates Reading?
Janice LawrenceHow Pictures Help Late Readers Feel Smart
Some children understand the world best by looking. When they struggle with words, they turn to pictures for meaning. Richly illustrated storybooks give these children something essential: context. They offer emotional and visual clues that help children follow the story, connect with characters, and stay engaged.
Pictures support comprehension. Illustrations do more than decorate the page. They show what’s happening and why it matters—especially when the words are too hard or unfamiliar.
Pictures build visual literacy. Learning to "read" images is just as important as decoding text. Children learn to track emotions, notice changes, and build mental maps of action and consequence.
Pictures include children who learn differently. For visually dominant or late-reading children, rich illustrations offer a safe and joyful entry point into the story. Instead of feeling behind, they feel curious, clever, and capable.
How Pictures Tell the Story
The Brave Girl Defeats the Fairy King, is a story about a powerful journey of courage and devotion. A brave girl risks everything to rescue her sister from a cruel fairy king who casts dark magic. The sister turns into a lion, an eagle, a snake, ice, and fire—and still, the brave girl holds on. These magical transformations are deeply visual, and perfect for helping late readers stay connected to the story.
When children can "see" what is happening, they understand it better. The sister’s shifting forms provide emotional cues: danger, urgency, sorrow, and love. The brave girl’s refusal to let go becomes a visible act of loyalty and courage. Late readers may miss these meanings in the text, but they’ll feel them through the pictures.
How Picture Books Help Kids Learn to Read
Illustrated fairy tales like this one give children extra ways to understand what they read. For visually dominant or late readers, the images provide emotional anchors. They guide comprehension, model emotional resilience, and turn confusion into connection.
Here's Why...
Reading is more than decoding. If a child doesn't read fluently, it doesn't mean they're not thinking deeply. Pictures help children connect the dots, even when the words are hard.
Visual learners need their strengths honored. When a child thrives on images, lean into that. Give them space to talk about what they see. Ask questions that invite imagination and emotional reflection.
Comprehension grows when stories are felt, not just read. Pictures help children pick up on emotional cues they might miss in the text. They can see what characters feel, even when they can’t yet read the words.
Late readers need moments of success. Rich illustrations give them access points to understanding. That sense of “I get it!” builds confidence and keeps them coming back.
Parents don’t have to be reading experts. You just have to be present. Let the pictures guide the story, and your child will show you what they see and feel.
Try It Out
1. Read The Brave Girl Defeats the Fairy King aloud with your child or watch the Read-Along video together. (Scroll down the page to find Watch the Video Button.)
2. Point to the pictures as you go and ask questions to highlight the emotional impact of the story.
Ask: "What did the pictures show you about how the brave girl felt when her sister disappeared?"
Ask: "When the sister changed into animals, how did the pictures help you know it was still her?"
3. Relate the story to your child’s life:
Ask: “What would you do if your sibling or friend were taken away?”
Ask: “Have you ever done something brave for someone you care about?”
4. Ask reflective questions:
Ask: “Why do you think the brave girl never let go?”
Ask: “What would you have done if you were her?”
5. Share your own stories and feelings:
Say something like:
“Sometimes I feel scared too. But I try to be brave when it really matters.”
“This story reminds me of a time I didn’t give up on someone I loved.”
TIPS
Engage. Don’t quiz.
Follow. Let the child lead the conversation.
Savor the moment. It’s okay to read slowly, pause, and look.
Stop 'n' Think
In one version of the tale, the sister is turned into scary beasts, fire and ice —and the brave girl holds on anyway. Can you think of a time when someone held on for you, even when things got hard?
Want to help your child feel brave and connected to the story, even if reading is hard?
Start with The Brave Girl Defeats the Fairy King — a beautifully illustrated tale that helps children follow the story, feel strong emotions, and believe in themselves. Meet a brave girl who leads with courage and heart.