Picture books

S-LIS 13: LIBRARY LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT

Prepared By: Jahlen M. Tuvilleja III - BLIS

Picture books

are very important for young

children whose appreciation and

interest level far surpass their

reading ability.

(Huck & Kuhn, 1968)

PICTURE BOOKS | S-LIS 13: LIBRARY LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT

2

To read a picture book, the child “reads” the picture as the

adult/reader reads the accompanying text. The story

and illustrations are unified so a child may get the “sense” of

the story through the pictures alone.


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picture book is a book whose content

is expressed through its images…

The story told with pictures has a

language all its own visual language.

Beni Montresor,

a 1965 Caldecott Awardee

DEFINITIONS A book in which the pictures are

designed to be an integral part of

the text. (Huck & Kuhn, 1968)

A book in which text and illustrations

complement each other and work

together. (Tyson, 2013)


DEFINITIONS A book in which the illustrations are as

important as the words in telling the story. Picture books are generally 32 pages

long. In picture books, there are illustrations on every page or on one of

every pair of facing pages.

- Elizabeth Kennedy (2014)

Children’s books expert


DEFINITIONS


A book that essentially provides the child with a

visual experience. It has a collective unity of

story-line, theme, or concept, developed through

the series of pictures of which the book is

comprised. Also, it is one for which children are

an intended potential audience. The book

displays respect for children’s understandings,

abilities, and appreciations.

ALA’s (2008)

CHARACTERISTICS

Usually 32 pages

Pictures on almost every page

Text is relatively brief

Words & pictures share the

responsibility


TYPES Board Books

For infants and young toddlers

often concept books (teaching colors,

names of animals, identifying body

parts, etc.), simple rhymes or counting

games, very simple stories, or wordless

books.


TYPES Board Books

Typical lengths are 12-16 pages.

Lift-the flaps or novelty books are

common (books that make sounds, have

different textures, etc.)


TYPES Early picture books

Very simple stories for ages 2-5 familiar to a

child’s everyday life, simple fairy tales,

cumulative rhyming books, or concept books

that are more sophisticated than board

books (such as counting within a story).


TYPES Early picture books

Texts are short (generally 500 words or less).

Books average 32 pages with art on every

page.


TYPES Standard picture books

Traditionally, picture books are 32-page

books for ages 4-8 (this age may vary

slightly by publisher).

Manuscripts are up to about 1000 words.



Plots are simple (no sub-plots or

complicated twists) with one main character

who embodies the child’s emotions, concerns

and viewpoint.

The illustrations (on every page or every

other page) play as great a role as the text

in telling the story.



Occasionally a picture book will exceed 1000 words if the story is more complex; this is usually geared toward the upper end of the age spectrum. Picture books cover a wide range of topics and styles. The list of School Library Journal’s best picture books is a good place to start your research.

Nonfiction in the picture book format can go up to age 10, 48 pages in length, or up to about 2000 words of text.


THEMES Family Stories

Familiar Everyday Experiences

Stories of the Country (Province) and City

Weather and the Seasons

Concept Books

Realistic/Fanciful Animal Stories

Humorous and Fanciful

Picture Books of Other Lands


Guides for Evaluating Picture Books


Factors Questions

The Content of the Book

What is the story or content of the book?

In what genre of literature does it belong?

Where/When does it take place?

What theme is presented?

Is the text well written?

For what age group does it seem most appropriate?

The Illustrations

Are the pictures made an integral part of the text?

Is the action in the text reflected by action in the

pictures?

How do the pictures help create the mood of the

story?

Are the pictures accurate and consistent with the text?

Authentic?

Factors Questions

The Media and Style of Illustrations

What medium or combinations of media have

been used (watercolor, chalk, crayon, woodcut,

collage, ink)?

Are the colors bright, soft, and varied?

How would you describe the style of illustrating

(delicate, vigorous, realistic, stylized, and

decorative)?

The Format of the Book

What is the size of the book?

Does the cover design convey the spirit of the

book?

Is the type design well chosen for the theme and

reader of the book?

What is the quality of the paper?

How durable is the binding?





Factors Questions

Comparison with others

How is this work similar to or different

from other work of the artist? From other

books with the same subject or theme?

What comments have the other reviewers

made about this book?

What has the artist said about his work?

Why Picture Books?


Dr. Kimberly Tyson, 2013

BIBLIOGRAPHY ALSC. (2008). Caldecott Medal - Terms and criteria. Retrieved from

ALSC: Association for Library Service to Children:

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmed

al/caldecottterms/caldecottterms

Backes, L. (2014, February 6). WriteForKids - Children's Book

Insider. Retrieved from Understanding Children’s Book Genres:

http://writeforkids.org/2014/02/understanding-childrens-book-

genres/

Hagar, R. (2013, April 14). Using picture books in the middle school.

Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/abseconmedia/using-

picture-books-in-the-middle-school

Huck, C. S. & Kuhn, D. Y. (1968). Children's Literature in the

Elementary School. [New York, US]: Holt Rinehart and Winston, Inc.

Tyson, K. (2013, February 14). {Infographic} 11 Benefits of Picture

Books. Retrieved from kimberlytyson:

http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/02/11-benefits-of-

picture-books/


http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms



http://writeforkids.org/2014/02/understanding-childrens-book-genres/








http://www.slideshare.net/abseconmedia/using-picture-books-in-the-middle-school














http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/02/11-benefits-of-picture-books/










THANK YOU! ☺

Education

Picture books