Defining and Defining and
Evaluating Picture Evaluating Picture
Books Books
Source: Picturing Books Source: Picturing Books A website about picture books A website about picture books
http://picturingbooks.imaginarylands.org/
http://picturingbooks.imaginarylands.org/
The Picture Book Defined The 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 the illustrations extend and enhance the
written text, providing readers with written text, providing readers with
an aesthetic experience that is more an aesthetic experience that is more
than the sum of the book’s parts.
than the sum of the book’s parts.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
"One night, after thinking it over for "One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for some time, Harold decided to go for
a walk in the moonlight."
a walk in the moonlight."
That simple sentence introduces Harold, a That simple sentence introduces Harold, a pajama-clad boy and his ubiquitous purple pajama-clad boy and his ubiquitous purple
crayon. Harold's wanderings through the crayon. Harold's wanderings through the
night are deceptively simple, but his night are deceptively simple, but his
creator's achievement is unmistakable.
creator's achievement is unmistakable.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
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 purple illustration to tell a story is delivered in a series of purple
squiggles and lines.
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 the Johnson allows Harold's own creativity to become the driving force behind the narrative.
driving force behind the narrative.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
After Harold has had his fill of After Harold has had his fill of
adventure he decides it is time to go adventure he decides it is time to go
home.
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 inside Finally, he sees the moon framed inside one of the windows he has drawn and one of the windows he has drawn and
realizes this window will take him home.
realizes this window will take him home.
It is the same window we see on page It is the same window we see on page one of the book. Deceptively
one of the book. Deceptively simple...simply genius.
simple...simply genius.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
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, style, Beyond the words and pictures are the medium, style, placement of text, and selection of typeface.
placement of text, and selection of typeface.
Sometimes the simple choice of shape or trim size Sometimes the simple choice of shape or trim size enhances the experience.
enhances the experience.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
The small size of Beatrix Potter's The The small size of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit was no accident.
Tale of Peter Rabbit was no accident.
She created a small book perfect for She created a small book perfect for
small hands.
small hands.
Often indistinguishable, these Often indistinguishable, these
components are part of the design components are part of the design
process; threads woven through the process; threads woven through the
book, adding depth and dimension to book, adding depth and dimension to
the overall visual experience.
the overall visual experience.
The Picture Book Defined The Picture Book Defined
A universal definition of a picture book is hard to pin A universal definition of a picture book is hard to pin down, but one thing experts agree on is that the
down, but one thing experts agree on is that the
interplay of narrative and illustration is fundamental interplay of narrative and illustration is fundamental
to the book as a whole.
to the book as a whole.
Picture books, picture storybooks, and illustrated Picture books, picture storybooks, and illustrated
books are similar in that illustrations play an integral books are similar in that illustrations play an integral
role in each format.
role in each format.
These terms are often used interchangeably. The These terms are often used interchangeably. The difference between the three is the degree to which difference between the three is the degree to which
illustrations play a role.
illustrations play a role.
Picture Storybook Picture Storybook
Integrate words and Integrate words and illustrations on
illustrations on each pageeach page to tell a story
to tell a story
Pictures complement the Pictures complement the story
story
The Story of Babar, the The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant
Little Elephant
Illustrated Book Illustrated 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 in The stark black, white, and gray art in Tom Feelings' masterpiece The Middle Tom Feelings' masterpiece The Middle
Passage is an example.
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 ocean, and forced across the Atlantic ocean,
where they face one horror and where they face one horror and
humiliation after another in a harsh humiliation after another in a harsh
and cruel new world.
and cruel new world.
Picture Book Picture 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, forming components together, forming
a rich and rewarding reading a rich and rewarding reading
experience.
experience.
While the illustrations are the While the illustrations are the core of the book, the text is core of the book, the text is
still essential.
still essential.
Picture Book Picture Book
Text inspires the pictures. Text inspires the pictures.
Snappy dialogue drives the Snappy dialogue drives the narrative.
narrative.
Caldecott Award Caldecott Award
Annual award distributed by the Annual award distributed by the
American Library Association for most American Library Association for most
distinguished contribution in distinguished contribution in
illustration.
illustration.
"A picture book for children, as distinguished from "A picture book for children, as distinguished from other books with illustrations, is one that essentially other books with illustrations, is one that essentially
provides the child with a visual experience.
provides the child with a visual experience.
A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of theme, or concept, developed through the series of
pictures of which the book is comprised."
pictures of which the book is comprised."
Elements Elements
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 context
context
Elements of Picture Books Elements of Picture Books
32 pages is standard (though titles can be 24-48 pages). 32 pages is standard (though titles can be 24-48 pages).
Illustrations dominate text. Illustrations dominate text.
Illustrations integrate with the narrative to bring the story Illustrations integrate with the narrative to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.
to a satisfying conclusion.
Word count is generally less than 500 words, although Word count is generally less than 500 words, although picture books can have over 2000 words or have none at picture books can have over 2000 words or have none at
all, as is the case with wordless picture books.
all, as is the case with wordless picture books.
Overall design builds a relationship between the text and Overall design builds a relationship between the text and the illustrations; this includes the
the illustrations; this includes the front matter, back front matter, back matter, and the book jacket.
matter, and the book jacket.
Genre Genre
Genre designates a type-Genre designates a type--for example: mystery, -for example: mystery, adventure, romance, science fiction, history, traditional adventure, romance, science fiction, history, traditional literature, informational, and anthropomorphic (animal) literature, informational, and anthropomorphic (animal)
stories.
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 science While they exist, it is difficult to find mystery or science fiction picture books.
fiction picture books.
Toy Books Toy Books
TOY BOOKS physically TOY BOOKS physically engage the reader.
engage the reader.
Include board books, pull-tab Include board books, pull-tab books, flap books, pop-up
books, flap books, pop-up books, cloth books, and books, cloth books, and
plastic books (bathtub plastic books (bathtub
books), textured books.
books), textured books.
Toy books can be simple or Toy books can be simple or very complex.
very complex.
Concept Books Concept Books
CONCEPT BOOKS foster visual literacy CONCEPT BOOKS foster visual literacy and language development in children.
and language development in children.
Concept books introduce children to Concept books introduce children to shapes, colors, the alphabet, counting, shapes, colors, the alphabet, counting,
and more difficult concepts, such as and more difficult concepts, such as
principles of grammar and time.
principles of grammar and time.
ALPHABET BOOKS introduce children to ALPHABET BOOKS introduce children to the ABCs and COUNTING BOOKS
the ABCs and COUNTING BOOKS introduce numbers and counting.
introduce numbers and counting.
Wordless Books Wordless 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 or In wordless books text is absent or minimal, so children apply meaning minimal, so children apply meaning
to the story.
to the story.
The marvel of wordless or nearly The marvel of wordless or nearly
wordless books is the opportunity to wordless books is the opportunity to
retell the story over and over.
retell the story 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 Readers Easy 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 minimal They are designed to read with minimal or no assistance from an adult.
or no assistance from an adult.
Features include larger typefaces, short Features include larger typefaces, short sentences, sight words, and extra space sentences, sight words, and extra space
between words and lines.
between words and lines.
Animal Stories Animal Stories
ANTHROPOMORPHIC (ANIMAL) STORIES ANTHROPOMORPHIC (ANIMAL) STORIES are realistic stories that have animal or are realistic stories that have animal or
inanimate objects as the main character.
inanimate objects as the main character.
Animals and objects talk, walk, dress, Animals and objects talk, walk, dress, and otherwise behave like humans.
and otherwise behave like 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 them human characteristics that render them
capable of extraordinary feats.
capable of extraordinary feats.
Settings can be imaginary or Settings can be imaginary or contemporary.
contemporary.
Realistic Stories Realistic Stories
REALISTIC STORIES feature REALISTIC STORIES feature
sympathetic characters that children sympathetic characters that children
identify and empathize with.
identify and empathize 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, such somber topics in picture books, such
as cancer, death, homosexuality, as cancer, death, homosexuality,
adoption, and AIDS--to name a few.
adoption, and AIDS--to name a few.
Realistic books can have a Realistic books can have a
contemporary or historical setting.
contemporary or historical setting.
Magic Realism Magic 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 of Ordinary activities are infused with a sense of wonder and promise--anything is possible:
wonder and promise--anything is possible:
a boy can take a purple crayon and create a fabulous a boy can take a purple crayon and create a fabulous dream world,
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 Literature Traditional Literature
TRADITIONAL LITERATURE includes tall TRADITIONAL LITERATURE includes tall tales, fairy tales, folktales, trickster
tales, fairy tales, folktales, trickster
tales, myths, legends, noodlehead tales, tales, myths, legends, noodlehead tales,
jataka tales, beast tales, creation jataka tales, beast tales, creation
stories, pourqoui tales, Mother Goose, stories, pourqoui tales, Mother Goose,
and fables.
and fables.
Traditional literature features Traditional literature features
storytelling patterns, rich language, and storytelling patterns, rich language, and
elements of fantasy.
elements of fantasy.
TRADITIONAL LITERATURE can be set TRADITIONAL LITERATURE can be set in both imaginary and contemporary in both imaginary and contemporary
settings.
settings.
Informational Books Informational Books
INFORMATIONAL (nonfiction) picture books INFORMATIONAL (nonfiction) picture books are an alternative to encyclopedias and other are an alternative to encyclopedias and other
reference sources.
reference sources.
Illustrations and/or photographs are bright Illustrations and/or photographs are bright and colorful.
and colorful.
Accuracy and timeliness of titles is important. Accuracy and timeliness of titles is important.
Look for source notes, bibliographies, indexes, Look for source notes, bibliographies, indexes,
and a table of contents--the mark of and a table of contents--the mark of
exceptional nonfiction.
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 Development Illustrations and Plot Development
Illustrations Illustrations
move the story forward move the story forward
engage the reader on both an intellectual and an engage the reader on both an intellectual and an emotional level
emotional level
Expressions of surprise, fear, and consternation express Expressions of surprise, fear, and consternation express emotion as well as action.
emotion as well as action. (Blueberries for Sal)(Blueberries for Sal)
Illustration and Plot Development Illustration and Plot Development
Artwork may show mounting tension by increasing Artwork may show mounting tension by increasing the size of the pictures.
the size of the pictures. (Where the Wild Things (Where the Wild Things Are)Are)
Pictures become larger as Max’s dream becomes Pictures become larger as Max’s dream becomes more fantastic.
more fantastic.
After the climactic wild rumpus, which is After the climactic wild rumpus, which is
portrayed on three full-sized spreads with no text portrayed on three full-sized spreads with no text
whatsoever, Max returns home.
whatsoever, Max returns home.
The pictures decrease in size, although never The pictures decrease in size, although never down to their original size—just as, symbolically, down to their original size—just as, symbolically, Max will never be quite the same again after his Max will never be quite the same again after his
dream experience.
dream experience.
Illustration and Plot Development Illustration and Plot Development
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 of A close look at the first and second pages of Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are shows the shows the
mischievous Max dressed in his wild-thing suit mischievous Max dressed in his wild-thing suit and stringing up a homemade tent.
and stringing up a homemade tent.
A plush toy looking vaguely like a wild thing A plush toy looking vaguely like a wild thing hangs nearby.
hangs nearby.
Later those things appear in Max’s dream trip Later those things appear in Max’s dream trip to the far-off land of the wild things.
to the far-off land of the wild things.