Picture Books in the Health Curriculum Health classes are another area of middle school curriculum that could benefit from utilizing picture books. Many social and health issues are covered in picture books targeting the middle school students. As an introduction to the topic of mental health, The Red Tree by Shaun Tan is a great example of a well-illustrated picture book that creates of a visual image of depression. The symbolism of the red leaf throughout the story can be discussed as it pertains to the hope in the struggle with depression. Bullying is hot topic in schools today which could be introduced with a non-threatening picture book like One by Kathryn Otoshi as it is a colorfully illustrated book that presents the issues of bullying
