Picture BooksPicture BooksAmy Birdwell, Wandtrice BuchannonAmy Birdwell, Wandtrice Buchannon

Children’s Literature and DramaChildren’s Literature and DramaJuly 22, 2011July 22, 2011

What is a Picture Book?❖ Not all illustrated books

are picture books.

❖ Picture books “communicate information or tell stories through a series of many pictures combined with relatively slight or nor texts at all” (Norton, p.158)

❖ The illustrations are as important, if not more important than the words.

Things to Look for ❖ Do the illustrations relate to the story?

❖ Do the pictures compliment the setting, plot and mood?

❖ Do the pictures enhance the characters?

❖ Do the words and pictures avoid stereotypes?

❖ Does it appeal to children?

❖ Is the book worthwhile?

❖ What is the purpose for sharing this book with children?

❖ Is the style and language of the book age appropriate?

❖ Do the format and pictures go well together?

Types of Picture Books❖ Mother Goose

❖ Toy books

❖ Alphabet books

❖ Counting books

❖ Wordless books

❖ Concept books

❖ Easy-to-Read books

❖ Picture Storybooks

❖ Contain little or no words

❖ Usually aimed at preschoolers

❖ Carefully sequenced illustrations

❖ Examples- -Tuesday by David Weisner (1991) Caldecott Medal -The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (1978)

Wordless Picture Books

References

❖ Norton, Donna. Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children's Literature-8th Edition. Pearson Education: Boston. 2011. 

❖ http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/picturebook_type_wordless.htm#wordless