Picture Books Picture Book: A book in which the text and pictures are equally important

o Illustrated book: A book in which the text is primary o Wordless picture book: A book containing only pictures. NB: There is

controversy as to whether a wordless book can be considered literature. Many wordless picture books can the literary elements we look for in texts: view, theme, character studies, setting, tone.

Narrative art: art that tells a story. Picture books are a form of narrative art.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN PICTURE BOOKS

Illusion: a technique used by artists to make us see things that are not really there: distance, depth, texture.

Illustrations in picture books must project a mood that is appropriate to the text.

Principal Elements of the Art of Illustration

The principal elements of the art of illustration are: line, space, shape, color, texture, composition, perspective.

o Line to define objects by outlining to suggest movement, distance, feeling/emotional responses

curves, circles: warmth, coziness, security sharp, zigzag: excitement and rapid movement horizontal: calm, stability vertical: height, distance figures at top of page: further away than those at bottom or

sides o Space (very powerful)

draws attention to specific forms on the page generous use of space: emptiness, loneliness, isolation lack of open space: claustrophobic feeling, confusion, chaos

o Shape massive grouped shapes: stability, enclosure, confinement,

awkwardness lighter, delicate shapes: movement, grace, freedom rounded: similar to curved and circular lines squarish, angular shapes: excitable reaction

o Color children do not require brightly colored pictures color can detract from the text if overpowering or inappropriate

the least imaginatively used artistic element in children¹s picture books (that is, conventional colors are used, for example, for the sky, grass, etc.)

psychology of color (cultural phenomena) reds, yellow: excitement blues, greens: calm, quiet purple, royalty green: envy, illness blue: depression yellow: cowardice

used to suggest cultural distinctions o Texture

creating characteristics of a three-dimensional surface on a flat surface

used to emphasize the realistic quality of a picture used to enrich the visual experience and to stimulate the viewer¹s

imagination Composition/Perspective

Composition: the arrangement of the details in the picture good composition creates a sense of rhythm in

moving from page to page--a rhythm that is in keeping with the narration

good composition creates a sense of unity between the illustrations and the text integrating them into one on the page

Perspective: the vantage point from which the viewer looks on at the objects or events in the picture

Artistic styles found in children¹s books

Representationalism: presents objects realistically, but not necessarily photographically; may be used with non-realistic subjects

Expressionism: deliberate distortion and exaggeration using line, space, color, shape, texture, composition; abstraction is extreme expressionism

Impressionism: uses splashes, speckles, dots of paint to achieve an interplay between color and light; creates a dreamlike effect; distances the viewer from the action

Surrealism: an otherwise realistically depicted object subjected to unnatural juxtapositions and bizarre incongruities; the product can be nightmarish

Cartoon: uses gross exaggerations and distortions for satiric or humorous effect; uses solid lines and bold, unshaded colors

Folk Art: designs and images peculiar to a specific culture--to effect the mood of the culture; particularly suited to folktales

Photography: used mostly in realistic stories and informational books

Artistic media

Painterly techniques:using paint as the primary medium--watercolors, tempera, gouache, poster color, oil paint, acrylics, pastels, chalk, pencil, ink, crayons

Graphic techniques: blocks or plates that are inked and imprinted on paper--woodblocks, linocuts (linoleum), scratchboard, stone lithography

Montage (grouping of different pictures or designs to create a single picture) and collage (grouping materials--string, cotton, weeds--with pictures to create a single picture)

Picture-book layout

text must be carefully placed in relation to the pictures the pictures must illustrate what the accompanying text describes

(called juxtaposition)

THE STORIES IN PICTURE BOOKS

Principal types of stories Folktales, legends, myths

initially passed by word-of-mouth adhere to the traditional storytelling patterns: often

begin with ³Once upon a time² and end with a ³happily ever after²

typically take place in an imaginary place where magic is commonplace

Modern fantasy stories take place in modern settings and employ magic as

a principal feature most omit the potentially threatening forces of evil

that characterize the folktales Talking animal stories

avoid magic focus on everyday issues in quite realistic

contemporary settings early exposure to symbolism: animal or inanimate

characters symbolize facets of human nature Realistic stories

few subject taboo in children¹s picture books today includes complexities of our world literature for children is foremost for enjoyment

expose children to other cultures; depict sympathetic characters with whom the child can identify or empathize

children like to read stories about other children who are like themselves

Narrative elements Plot: sequence of events leading to a specific goal

must be clear and fairly direct should have a clearly defined beginning, middle,

end focuses on a conflict which must be resolved

conflict can be internal (struggle within a character) or external (between characters)

for young children the plot must use a simple, chronological time frame; more complex plot structures for older children

young children like action, suspense, humor Character

focus is one character character is a human (usually a child) or an animal

with childlike qualities characterizations are quite simple (picture books are

not long enough for complex character development)

Setting usually conveyed visually by picture still a story element because setting determines

much of how and why things happen in the story success depends on effective selection of scenes

Subject and theme subject should hold meaning for a young child (e.g.

child disobedience but not toxic waste disposal) theme--the principal idea that governs the story (e.g.

disobedience of parental authority often results in dire consequences)--should not be confused with morals or lessons (didactic stories)

Literary style boredom results which something is either too

simple (all common monosyllable words) or too hard (complex sentences with many unfamiliar words)

as picture books are often written for non-readers, they must read well aloud

he best picture books challenge children¹s thinking without overwhelming it

Social concerns and the picture storybook

need to be aware how picture books portray and interpret society (e.g. stereotyping)

need to be aware of the underlying message but this does not mean we must censor or forbid certain books

children¹s reading should include a diverse selection of social attitudes.

From: http://www.southernct.edu/~brownm/Gpic.html