Picture books are more than just stories, they are our earliest steps on the journey of learning through rich visual language.
This article was written by our Managing Senior Creative, Dan Stirrup.
For many of us, picture books were our first foray into the world of storytelling. But they’re so much more than simple tales paired with images—they’re a gateway to learning, imagination, and connection. As a Senior Creative and a parent, I’ve rediscovered the magic of picture books through my son’s eyes, realising how deeply they shape the way we engage with stories—even as adults.
This same visual language and visual thinking that captivates children also makes explainer videos and whiteboard animation so effective. By harnessing the power of imagery, we can hold attention, simplify complex ideas, and create lasting impressions.
We Are Cognitive’s Managing Senior Creative, Dan Stirrup
A Journey Back to Childhood
We all have picture books that left an imprint on us. But have you ever stopped to think about how they helped you learn? There’s a common misconception that picture books are just for young children—easy, simple, and only necessary before learning to read. But in reality, they lay the foundation for understanding language, storytelling, and even the world around us.
Becoming a father two years ago gave me a fresh perspective on storytelling. One of the first books I re-encountered was Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr. I stumbled upon it in a children’s bookshop in Hay-on-Wye on a snowy trip to Wales, and the moment I saw the cover, a flood of memories came rushing back. I had read this book as a child—I was sure of it. Such is the power of a single illustration.
At home, my son was instantly drawn to Mog. We have a tabby cat (who, sadly, does not reciprocate his affection), and he immediately recognized something familiar in the book’s pages. That connection between pictures and real life was profound. His first word? “Cat.” And soon after, he started repeating lines from the story—“Bother that cat!” now echoes regularly in our house.
The Magic of Storytelling in Learning
Books continued to shape his world in unexpected ways. While planning a family holiday last year, we considered a whale-watching trip. Unsure how our young son would handle four hours at sea, I turned to picture books. I introduced The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and The Storm Whale by Benji Davies into his bedtime routine.
Donaldson’s rhythmic storytelling and Scheffler’s vibrant illustrations brought adventure to life. These books didn’t just tell a story—they created an experience. My son became fixated on small details: the helicopter hovering above the beached whale, the excited dog in the foreground. And in The Storm Whale, the challenge of spotting all six cats on the page became a game, turning reading into an interactive adventure.
These books did more than prepare him for a boat trip. They expanded his vocabulary, introducing words for family members, animals, weather, and the sea. Now, a Blue Planet poster hangs proudly in his bedroom, a testament to how storytelling can inspire a lifelong curiosity.
From Picture Books to Whiteboard Animation
At Cognitive, we bring that same storytelling tradition into our explainer videos and whiteboard animations. We may not be children anymore, but visuals still have the power to captivate, simplify, and enhance understanding.
A perfect example is our work on an explainer film for BBC Radio 4 about the shipping forecast. Once a dry, functional report on maritime weather, the forecast has become a cultural institution, romanticized through Britain’s seafaring heritage. To bring this story to life, we drew inspiration from Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin—creators of Noggin the Nog and Ivor the Engine—paying homage to the charm of children’s storytelling.
The Lasting Power of Visuals
Just like picture books, explainer videos work by drawing people in with engaging imagery before delivering meaningful information. Whether it’s decoding the Beaufort Scale or demystifying shipping district names, animation helps make complex topics digestible, memorable, and entertaining.
Stories, whether on a page or a screen, connect us, teach us, and shape how we see the world. Ready to share your vision through the power of visual storytelling? Get started by sending us a message or booking a FREE strategy call!
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