Picture books are short books, usually 32 to 48 pages long, in which the illustrations and text work together to tell a story or provide information. In this article, the author discusses how a library media specialist has effectively hooked the students into an in-depth study of the Civil War in a 20-minute read-aloud activity, using historical picture books. The author states that historical picture books can be used in a variety of ways. A simple reading of one of these books, followed by student questions and discussion, may spark interest in the topic by making the history more real to the student. Facts are less boring when students perceive the human emotion, sacrifices made, and life-changing impact historical events had on everyday life. Furthermore, the author states that picture books can also increase students' appreciation for the way people's lives are changed by events in history.