Defining and Defining and Evaluating Picture Evaluating Picture

BooksBooks

Source: Picturing BooksSource: Picturing Books

A website about picture booksA website about picture bookshttp://picturingbooks.imaginarylands.org/http://picturingbooks.imaginarylands.org/

The Picture Book DefinedThe Picture Book Defined Picture books arePicture books are

art objects.art objects. books in which images and ideas join books in which images and ideas join

to form a unique whole.to form a unique whole.

In the best picture books, the In the best picture books, the illustrations extend and enhance illustrations extend and enhance the written text, providing readers the written text, providing readers with an aesthetic experience that with an aesthetic experience that is more than the sum of the book’s is more than the sum of the book’s parts.parts.

The Picture Book DefinedThe Picture Book Defined

"One night, after thinking it over "One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight."go for a walk in the moonlight."

That simple sentence introduces That simple sentence introduces Harold, a pajama-clad boy and his Harold, a pajama-clad boy and his ubiquitous purple crayon. Harold's ubiquitous purple crayon. Harold's wanderings through the night are wanderings through the night are deceptively simple, but his creator's deceptively simple, but his creator's achievement is unmistakable. achievement is unmistakable.

The Picture Book The Picture Book DefinedDefined

Crockett Johnson's understanding of the power of Crockett Johnson's understanding of the power of illustration to tell a story is delivered in a series of illustration to tell a story is delivered in a series of purple squiggles and lines. purple squiggles and lines.

At the center of the book is Harold's boundless At the center of the book is Harold's boundless imagination. imagination.

Johnson allows Harold's own creativity to become Johnson allows Harold's own creativity to become the driving force behind the narrative.the driving force behind the narrative.

The Picture Book DefinedThe Picture Book Defined

  After Harold has had his fill of After Harold has had his fill of adventure he decides it is time to adventure he decides it is time to go home. go home.

He draws window after window, but He draws window after window, but somehow none of them are right. somehow none of them are right.

Finally, he sees the moon framed Finally, he sees the moon framed inside one of the windows he has inside one of the windows he has drawn and realizes this window will drawn and realizes this window will take him home. take him home.

It is the same window we see on It is the same window we see on page one of the book. Deceptively page one of the book. Deceptively simple...simply genius. simple...simply genius.

The Picture Book The Picture Book DefinedDefined

Words and pictures. These are the two principle Words and pictures. These are the two principle components of a picture book. components of a picture book.

Beyond the words and pictures are the medium, Beyond the words and pictures are the medium, style, placement of text, and selection of style, placement of text, and selection of typeface. typeface.

Sometimes the simple choice of shape or trim Sometimes the simple choice of shape or trim size enhances the experience. size enhances the experience.

The Picture Book The Picture Book DefinedDefined The small size of Beatrix Potter's The small size of Beatrix Potter's

The Tale of Peter Rabbit was no The Tale of Peter Rabbit was no accident. She created a small book accident. She created a small book perfect for small hands. perfect for small hands.

Often indistinguishable, these Often indistinguishable, these components are part of the design components are part of the design process; threads woven through process; threads woven through the book, adding depth and the book, adding depth and dimension to the overall visual dimension to the overall visual experience. experience.

The Picture Book The Picture Book DefinedDefined

A universal definition of a picture book is hard A universal definition of a picture book is hard to pin down, but one thing experts agree on is to pin down, but one thing experts agree on is that the interplay of narrative and illustration is that the interplay of narrative and illustration is fundamental to the book as a whole. fundamental to the book as a whole.

Picture books, picture storybooks, and Picture books, picture storybooks, and illustrated books are similar in that illustrations illustrated books are similar in that illustrations play an integral role in each format. play an integral role in each format.

These terms are often used interchangeably. These terms are often used interchangeably. The difference between the three is the degree The difference between the three is the degree to which illustrations play a role. to which illustrations play a role.

Picture StorybookPicture Storybook

Integrate words and Integrate words and illustrations on illustrations on each each pagepage to tell a story to tell a story

Pictures complement Pictures complement the storythe story

The Story of Babar, The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant the Little Elephant                       

Illustrated BookIllustrated Book Text and art are equally balancedText and art are equally balanced..

Illustrations compliment the story.Illustrations compliment the story.

The stark black, white, and gray art The stark black, white, and gray art in Tom Feelings' masterpiece The in Tom Feelings' masterpiece The Middle Passage is an example. Middle Passage is an example.

Illustrations capture the despair of Illustrations capture the despair of people ripped from their homeland people ripped from their homeland and forced across the Atlantic and forced across the Atlantic ocean, where they face one horror ocean, where they face one horror and humiliation after another in a and humiliation after another in a harsh and cruel new world. harsh and cruel new world.

Picture BookPicture Book

A picture book is a fusion of A picture book is a fusion of words and pictures. words and pictures.

Outstanding picture books Outstanding picture books seamlessly meld both seamlessly meld both components together, components together, forming a rich and forming a rich and rewarding reading rewarding reading experience. experience.

While the illustrations are While the illustrations are the core of the book, the the core of the book, the text is still essential. text is still essential.

Picture BookPicture Book Text inspires the pictures. Text inspires the pictures.

Snappy dialogue drives Snappy dialogue drives the narrative.the narrative.

Caldecott AwardCaldecott Award Annual award distributed by the Annual award distributed by the

American Library Association for American Library Association for most distinguished contribution in most distinguished contribution in illustration.illustration.

"A picture book for children, as distinguished "A picture book for children, as distinguished from other books with illustrations, is one that from other books with illustrations, is one that essentially provides the child with a visual essentially provides the child with a visual experience. experience.

A picture book has a collective unity of story-A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is series of pictures of which the book is comprised." comprised."

ElementsElements

Picture books are a format (form/design) Picture books are a format (form/design) and not a genre (content).and not a genre (content).

Evaluate visual aspects of picture books throughEvaluate visual aspects of picture books through

Physical characteristicsPhysical characteristics

Elements of illustrations in isolationElements of illustrations in isolation

Elements of illustrations in the picture book Elements of illustrations in the picture book contextcontext

Elements of Picture Elements of Picture BooksBooks

32 pages is standard (though titles can be 24-48 32 pages is standard (though titles can be 24-48 pages). pages).

Illustrations dominate text. Illustrations dominate text.

Illustrations integrate with the narrative to bring Illustrations integrate with the narrative to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. the story to a satisfying conclusion.

Word count is generally less than 500 words, Word count is generally less than 500 words, although picture books can have over 2000 words although picture books can have over 2000 words or have none at all, as is the case with wordless or have none at all, as is the case with wordless picture books. picture books.

Overall design builds a relationship between the Overall design builds a relationship between the text and the illustrations; this includes the text and the illustrations; this includes the front front matter, back matter, and the book jacket. matter, back matter, and the book jacket.

GenreGenre

Genre designates a type-Genre designates a type--for example: -for example: mystery, adventure, romance, science fiction, mystery, adventure, romance, science fiction, history, traditional literature, informational, and history, traditional literature, informational, and anthropomorphic (animal) stories. anthropomorphic (animal) stories.

Unlike novels, pictures books have fewer genres. Unlike novels, pictures books have fewer genres.

While they exist, it is difficult to find mystery or While they exist, it is difficult to find mystery or science fiction picture books. science fiction picture books.

Toy BooksToy Books

TOY BOOKS physically TOY BOOKS physically engage the reader.engage the reader.

Include board books, pull-Include board books, pull-tab books, flap books, tab books, flap books, pop-up books, cloth pop-up books, cloth books, and plastic books books, and plastic books (bathtub books), textured (bathtub books), textured books. books.

Toy books can be simple Toy books can be simple or very complex. or very complex.

Concept BooksConcept Books

CONCEPT BOOKS foster visual CONCEPT BOOKS foster visual literacy and language development literacy and language development in children. in children.

Concept books introduce children to Concept books introduce children to shapes, colors, the alphabet, shapes, colors, the alphabet, counting, and more difficult counting, and more difficult concepts, such as principles of concepts, such as principles of grammar and time. grammar and time.

ALPHABET BOOKS introduce ALPHABET BOOKS introduce children to the ABCs and COUNTING children to the ABCs and COUNTING BOOKS introduce numbers and BOOKS introduce numbers and counting. counting.

Wordless BooksWordless Books

WORDLESS BOOKS are excellent WORDLESS BOOKS are excellent tools to help children develop tools to help children develop language and narrative skills. language and narrative skills.

In wordless books text is absent In wordless books text is absent or minimal, so children apply or minimal, so children apply meaning to the story. meaning to the story.

The marvel of wordless or nearly The marvel of wordless or nearly wordless books is the wordless books is the opportunity to retell the story opportunity to retell the story over and over.over and over.

Illustrations in wordless or nearly Illustrations in wordless or nearly wordless books offer a degree of wordless books offer a degree of detail and plot complexity. detail and plot complexity.

Easy ReadersEasy Readers

EASY READERS, sometimes called EASY READERS, sometimes called beginning books or readers, are beginning books or readers, are transition books for children moving transition books for children moving from picture books to chapter books. from picture books to chapter books.

They are designed to read with They are designed to read with minimal or no assistance from an minimal or no assistance from an adult. adult.

Features include larger typefaces, Features include larger typefaces, short sentences, sight words, and short sentences, sight words, and extra space between words and extra space between words and lines. lines.

Animal StoriesAnimal Stories ANTHROPOMORPHIC (ANIMAL) ANTHROPOMORPHIC (ANIMAL)

STORIES are realistic stories that STORIES are realistic stories that have animal or inanimate objects as have animal or inanimate objects as the main character. the main character.

Animals and objects talk, walk, Animals and objects talk, walk, dress, and otherwise behave like dress, and otherwise behave like humans. humans.

There is usually little or no magic There is usually little or no magic because the animals or objects have because the animals or objects have human characteristics that render human characteristics that render them capable of extraordinary feats. them capable of extraordinary feats.

Settings can be imaginary or Settings can be imaginary or contemporary. contemporary.

Realistic StoriesRealistic Stories

REALISTIC STORIES feature REALISTIC STORIES feature sympathetic characters that sympathetic characters that children identify and empathize children identify and empathize with. with.

For the last two decades or so For the last two decades or so authors have explored timely, authors have explored timely, somber topics in picture books, somber topics in picture books, such as cancer, death, such as cancer, death, homosexuality, adoption, and homosexuality, adoption, and AIDS--to name a few. AIDS--to name a few.

Realistic books can have a Realistic books can have a contemporary or historical setting. contemporary or historical setting.

Magic RealismMagic Realism MAGIC REALISM is a fusion of reality and MAGIC REALISM is a fusion of reality and

imagination, with dreamlike imagery that imagination, with dreamlike imagery that heightens the experience. heightens the experience.

Ordinary activities are infused with a sense Ordinary activities are infused with a sense of wonder and promise--anything is of wonder and promise--anything is possible: possible:

a boy can take a purple crayon and create a a boy can take a purple crayon and create a fabulous dream world, fabulous dream world,

a board game can come to life, or a board game can come to life, or

a boat can transport a frustrated child to a land a boat can transport a frustrated child to a land where Wild Things rule. where Wild Things rule.

These tales can have a contemporary or an These tales can have a contemporary or an imaginary setting. imaginary setting.

Traditional LiteratureTraditional Literature

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE includes TRADITIONAL LITERATURE includes tall tales, fairy tales, folktales, tall tales, fairy tales, folktales, trickster tales, myths, legends, trickster tales, myths, legends, noodlehead tales, jataka tales, noodlehead tales, jataka tales, beast tales, creation stories, beast tales, creation stories, pourqoui tales, Mother Goose, and pourqoui tales, Mother Goose, and fables. fables.

Traditional literature features Traditional literature features storytelling patterns, rich language, storytelling patterns, rich language, and elements of fantasy. and elements of fantasy.

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE can be TRADITIONAL LITERATURE can be set in both imaginary and set in both imaginary and contemporary settings. contemporary settings.

Informational BooksInformational Books

INFORMATIONAL (nonfiction) picture books INFORMATIONAL (nonfiction) picture books are an alternative to encyclopedias and are an alternative to encyclopedias and other reference sources. other reference sources.

Illustrations and/or photographs are bright Illustrations and/or photographs are bright and colorful. and colorful.

Accuracy and timeliness of titles is Accuracy and timeliness of titles is important. Look for source notes, important. Look for source notes, bibliographies, indexes, and a table of bibliographies, indexes, and a table of contents--the mark of exceptional nonfiction. contents--the mark of exceptional nonfiction.

Quality informational books are easy-to-read Quality informational books are easy-to-read and eliminate threat to young readers. and eliminate threat to young readers.

Illustrations and Plot Illustrations and Plot DevelopmentDevelopment

Illustrations Illustrations move the story forward move the story forward engage the reader on both an intellectual and engage the reader on both an intellectual and

an emotional levelan emotional level Expressions of surprise, fear, and consternation Expressions of surprise, fear, and consternation

express emotion as well as action. express emotion as well as action. (Blueberries for Sal)(Blueberries for Sal)

Illustration and Plot Illustration and Plot DevelopmentDevelopment

Artwork may show mounting tension by Artwork may show mounting tension by increasing the size of the pictures. increasing the size of the pictures. (Where (Where the Wild Things Are)the Wild Things Are) Pictures become larger as Max’s dream Pictures become larger as Max’s dream

becomes more fantastic.becomes more fantastic. After the climactic wild rumpus, which is After the climactic wild rumpus, which is

portrayed on three full-sized spreads with portrayed on three full-sized spreads with no text whatsoever, Max returns home.no text whatsoever, Max returns home.

The pictures decrease in size, although The pictures decrease in size, although never down to their original size—just as, never down to their original size—just as, symbolically, Max will never be quite the symbolically, Max will never be quite the same again after his dream experience.same again after his dream experience.

Illustration and Plot Illustration and Plot DevelopmentDevelopment

Picture book artists also provide clues to the Picture book artists also provide clues to the future action of a story.future action of a story.

A close look at the first and second pages A close look at the first and second pages of of Where the Wild Things AreWhere the Wild Things Are shows the shows the mischievous Max dressed in his wild-thing mischievous Max dressed in his wild-thing suit and stringing up a homemade tent.suit and stringing up a homemade tent.

A plush toy looking vaguely like a wild A plush toy looking vaguely like a wild thing hangs nearby.thing hangs nearby.

Later those things appear in Max’s dream Later those things appear in Max’s dream trip to the far-off land of the wild things.trip to the far-off land of the wild things.

The World of Picture BooksThe World of Picture Books