Picture BooksMeng MengJul.17.2013

Outline

• Definition

• Function

• Development

• Feature

• Types

• Wordless picture books

Definition

• A picture book is a book designed for children, which uses pictures and illustrations to tell a story. In some cases, a picture book may convey the meaning of the story entirely through pictures, without any text at all. In other cases, text accompanies the pictures and is read along with them. In both instances, the picture book is designed to introduce young children to the idea of books and reading. As a general rule, each turn of the page reveals a new picture, or series of pictures.

Function

Picture books have two basic functions.

They introduce young children to books, as parents read to them from the time they are infants. As a child matures, they learn to read the books themselves.

Although they're geared for young children, some picture books are designed for older kids.

Teachers sometimes use picture books to teach creative writing, prompting students to write sentences about what they see in the pictures. They also are used by parents and teachers as tools for discussing important topics.

Development of Picture Books

1. History of picture books

•Illustrated books of poems and short stories paved the way for the first picture books. A few English illustrators, whose books had more pictures than words, included Randolph Caldecott, Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway in the late 1800s. In 1902, Beatrix Potter's classic, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," was published, which resembled the picture book format. Along with changes in technology, the format of a picture book has adapted changes in art technologies, including digital art. Also, as events in history have shaped the world, picture books have addressed multicultural issues.

Peter Rabbit disobeys his mother and goes to Mr. McGregor's garden instead of going to pick blackberries with Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail. Mr. McGregor tries to catch Peter, but he escapes. To get home safely, Peter must run past Mr. McGregor and get to the gate. He slips safely under the gate, but he has lost his jacket and his shoes. He runs home, where his mother puts him to bed and gives him a dose of chamomile tea.

2. Today’s picture books:

•It is written for children of all ages, even adults.

•The work for older readers may deal with complex subjects and may have visual texts-pictures that show something that varies or that is quite different from the written text.

• The nature and scope of picture book is changing with the result that many which are published today have wide appeal from young children to young adult.

• Picture books with sophisticated content, more complex text, art and realistic themes of interest to teens and young adults are being published in increasing numbers.

• Entering the information age, picture books have benefited from advances in printing and mechanical production techniques with the result that illustrators are able to be more creative than ever before.

• The technology has had enormous impact on children's book because it released artist from the limitations of illustrating with only a few techniques and colors into a bold new capability; they were able to illustrate in any medium they desired.

Features

• The typical picture book has 24 to 32 pages. Although most picture books are fictional, focusing on themes such as animals and traditional literature, others deal with realistic stories and information (nonfictional) topics. While the typical picture book has only a few words to accompany each illustration, some have no text at all.

Different Types of Picture Books

• Toy books--includes board books, pull-tab books, flap books, pop-up books, cloth book and plastic books.

• Concept books--foster visual literacy and language development in children. These includes books based on colors, shapes, numbers and the alphabet.

• Wordless books --help children develop language and narrative skills. In wordless books text is absent or minimal, so children apply meaning to the story and no two stories will ever be the same.

• Easy readers--are children's books that fall between picture books and early chapter books. These books have a grown-up look to them, making a child feel like they are reading books like their parents or siblings.

• Alphabet books—a primarily designed for young children. It presents letters of the alphabet with corresponding words or /and images. Some alphabet books feature capitals and lower case letter forms, keywords beginning with specific letters or illustration of keywords.

• Picture story books--any picture book where the text and pictures work together to tell a story. They are the most popular and plentiful of the picture books. Many of the popular bedtime stories fall into this category.

Wordless Picture Books

1.Definition:

A book with no words. It helps children develop language and narrative skills. In wordless books text is absent or minimal, so children apply meaning to the story and no two stories will ever be the same.

Wordless books often promote more discussion than books with words, which leads to better comprehension. Teachers tend to focus on, and appreciate, the details in the pictures more in these types of books. They also encourage the introduction of new vocabulary, help develop storytelling skills and present many opportunities to practice writing.

2.Characteristics:

•contain only pictures and little or no text.

•depend entirely on carefully sequenced illustrations to present the story. The illustrations must be highly narrative.

•Although wordless picture books are generally aimed at preschoolers (aged 4 to 6), some of them are also intended for older children because they contain complex plot structures, subtle imagery, and sophisticated tone.

Can they be considered “literature”?

Question

• Many wordless picture books contain familiar literary elements, including plot, point of view, theme, character, setting, and tone. Thus, they can help children develop linguistic and storytelling skills.

• Since wordless picture books require an oral response from the "reader", they play an important role in the development of positive reading habits and attitudes among children.

3.Use wordless picture

books in class• Encourage Discussion

• Introduce New Vocabulary

• Appreciate the Visual Story

• Encourage Storytelling

• Learn About Story Structure and Sequencing

• Practice Comprehension Skills

• Inspire Writing

4.Examples of wordless picture

storybooks:

• The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is about a little boy who builds a snowman which magically comes to life. The boy shows him his cozy home, which the snowman is fascinated to discover, and then the snowman introduces the boy to his wintry world.

• The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney was the 2010 Caldecott Award Winner. It is an adaption of an Aesop fable and contains vivid artwork of the African Serengeti with expressively-drawn, but still realistic, animals. A ferocious lion spares the life of an adventurous mouse. The mouse finds a way of returning the favor by freeing him from a poacher's trap. The few words in the book tend to be onomatopoetic.

• When it comes to simplicity, acclaimed artist Suzy Lee knows how to make it work. This entire book is not only wordless, but it’s illustrated in just two colors. Created entirely in water color, Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl who spends the day at the beach. She encounters plenty of the things you’d imagine she would – and some you might not think of. This is a sweet, simple, uplifting book that’s chock full of joy and laughter. It’s a perfect book to look at right before bedtime, or in the car on the way to a wonder-filled vacation.

• Tuesday by David Wiesner. One mysterious night a squadron of frogs rise on their lily pads and float across the night sky, exploring the nearby houses while their inhabitants sleep. As morning approaches, the frogs return to their pond, leaving their lily pads scattered around the street, to the bewilderment of the police. This 1992 Caldecott Award Winner is a beautiful and humorous book, illustrated with rich watercolors cleverly depicting the moonlit night.

Activity

Watch the video version firstly and then use the wordless picture book---Tuesday to tell a story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtQ4DdzCZMA

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_book

• http://www.ehow.com/about_4688691_childrens-picture-books.html

• http://www.peterrabbit.com/en/fun_and_games/meet_the_characters/peter_rabbit

Thank you!