Not Just for Kids: The Art and Appeal of Picture Books for Grownups

In conversation with Frenci Sanna and Giulia Martinelli, we invite curious readers to (re)discover picture books as a serious and subtle art form tackling complex topics with beauty, nuance, and tenderness.

While associated with childhood, picture books can also be a powerful storytelling medium to address very adult themes. With a distinctive blend of visual storytelling and often poetic narrative, picture books offer a unique and beautiful format to reflect on themes like grief, identity, migration, love, loss, and resilience. In conversation with library reader, Marisa König Beatty, and prize winning illustrators and authors Frenci Sanna and Giulia Martinelli, explore how picture books can open up gentle yet profound conversations about the human experience. The evening features readings from Giulia’s 2024 book about loss, as well as a sneak peek into Frenci’s newest work about community care and self discovery across different life stages, publishing in 2026. This grown-up story…