Photo: Thinkstock

In a world where 18-month-olds nonchalantly scroll through photos on smartphones, it's no wonder we're hearing about the Inevitable Death of the Picture Book. Last year the New York Times published a story about how more and more parents were forgoing picture books in favor of chapter books, in the hopes of helping their children get further faster in school.

Good thing it's the inaugural Picture Book Month for a few more weeks yet. Started by a group of authors, storytellers, and illustrators, Picture Book Month works to remind us of the value of actual, paper picture books, and how key they are in children's lives. Every day the site features a different children's book writer or illustrator, talking about why these books are so important. Some highlights:

Jane Yolen, author of more than 300 picture books: "I have always believed that literature begins in the cradle— the poems we say to the babies, the stories we tell them—prepare them to become part of the great human storytelling community."

Librarian and folklorist Margaret Read MacDonald: "This sense of owning a book—of having a book belong to them—sets the path to a love of books and learning."

Illustrator Elizabeth O. Dulemba: "People need three things to survive—food, shelter, and wonder."

The official Picture Book Month site has lots of ideas for ways to celebrate (even if you don't have a kid to read to), as well as information on the benefits of picture books. Personally, this is shaping up to be my favorite thing to celebrate this month. Let's see, I don't have to cook or clean or buy anything. All I have to do is pick a favorite picture book —I think we'll start with Oh What a Busy Day, or wait no, Knuffle Bunny, or wait no, Henry In Love—snuggle up next to my daughter, and read. 

More about books:
Picture books for grownups
A book for strong girls
Make reading fun for kids