SANTA CRUZ >> For many generations, the experience of children having their parents sit at their bedside and read to them is a shared memory. Before they could read the books themselves, kids were having the words come alive for them, and the colorful, whimsical and often vivid illustrations in books by the likes of Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle drew them further in. In many cases, these books were kids’ gateways into reading novels.

Even in an era of iPads and book bans, this is not a lost art. There are still plenty of picture books captivating new generations of young readers, and a new documentary highlights the great children’s books of the past and present, and how crucial they are in children’s development and sense of imagination. Bookshop Santa Cruz, in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and the Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz, will be screening Joanna Rudnick’s “Story & Pictures By” at Santa Cruz High School Sunday, with proceeds supporting local school libraries.Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, said the idea came from Barbara Lawrence, library media teacher at Gault Elementary School, who reached out to the store after watching the film at a gathering of librarians and felt it would be a good way to rally the community behind the value of books in public schools.

“I just knew we wanted to be involved because it’s a core part of Bookshop’s mission,” said Coonerty Protti.

“Story & Pictures By” showcases children’s books of the past and present and how they fuel kids’ imaginations, provide mirrors of their own lives and also help champion the marginalized. The film highlights well-known classics like Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day” and Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s “Goodnight Moon,” but it also showcases modern best-selling children’s book authors and illustrators and their creative processes. The documentary features extensive interviews with Christian Robinson, illustrator of “Last Stop on Market Street” and “Milo Imagines the World;” Yuyi Morales, the author and illustrator of “Dreamers;” and Mac Barnett, the author of “Sam and Dave Dig a Hole.”

“It goes through the process of what it means for them to create books for children and then the impact that those books have on children’s lives,” said Coonerty Protti. “It follows a number of families who read to their kids and really see the books make their imagination blossom.”

Coonerty Protti said it is very important for kids to see themselves represented in the literature they read.

“It allows them to understand that they’re a valued part of the world, and their experience is meaningful,” she said. “I also think that children’s books are such an important part of developing kids’ imaginations and their dreams. It’s also a huge conduit for learning.”

Additionally, Coonerty Protti said these books are vital for parents and guardians as well.

“It’s something that allows parents and caregivers or teachers to engage their children in this very present way that I think is missing in a world filled with electronics,” she said.

Following the screening of “Story & Pictures By,” there will be a 20-minute conversation between Lawrence and Rudnick who will explain why she made the film and what she learned. Coonerty Protti said there will also be a table with the books featured in the film available for purchase, which she said can be donated to public schools. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward purchasing books for school libraries.

Coonerty Protti noted it is important that school libraries have the books that kids want.

“We want to do anything we can to make that happen, especially at a time when schools don’t necessarily have the largest book-buying budgets, we need to do things like this to ensure that they always have the books that are going to inspire the kids,” she said.

Additionally, Coonerty Protti said it was important for communities to come together to promote the values they want to see.

“With so much division going on right now in our country, I think it’s important for us to remember that we care about each other and that we care about our schools and care about public education and our children,” she said. “I hope it’s a moment for us to gather and have that type of togetherness right now.”

The screening is 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the auditorium at Santa Cruz High, 415 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets range from $20 to $500, where every $15 buys one book for schools. There are also a limited number of special $15 tickets just for teachers and librarians that include a free tote bag and other literary items. Tickets can be purchased online at Tickettailor.com/events/bookshopsantacruz/1602607. For information, go to BookshopSantaCruz.com.