I love cursive.

The problem (aside from the fact I’m pretty bad at it)? In picture books, more often than not, kids can’t read it.

That’s right, the text might as well be in Wingdings:

A librarian friend and I have recently been noticing little instances of this. Sometimes it’s used for the title or author/illustrator information on the cover, occasionally you’ll see it used for the text inside.

Some might say that picture books, in general, are read by adults to kids, so it isn’t a problem.

Some might say most of the picture book audience can’t read yet.

And I’m the first to admit that I love the personal quality a little cursive can provide. It makes a book look like an actual person made it.

But the fact remains – young readers are left stumped.

So cursive in picture books: where do you stand?