The Art of the Picture Book

ELE 620 Children’s LiteratureCambridge College

Definition

What is a picture book? A book in which the text and illustrations are

equally important Neither element can stand alone“As an art form, the picture book hinges on the

interdependence of picture and words, on the simultaneous display of two facing pages, and on the drama of the turning of the page.”~Barbara Bader

The Rise of the Picture Book Today’s picture books

differ from those originally developed in the mid-nineteenth century by European artists and printers

Story and pictures were somewhat independent of each other

Text did not depend upon illustrations to tell story

Milestones in Picture Book Illustration

Improvements in printing attracted artists

Previously, illustrators had to be patient, layering by hand, one color plate over another

Beatrix Potter Tale of Peter Rabbit European artists Crane, Rackham,

Greenaway, Caldecott supplied American market

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag - 1928

Considered first American picture book

Wanda Gag changed conventions by integrating text and illustration

Negative space indicates the passage of time

Varied page layouts Illustrations break out

of their frames to extend across two pages

1930s and 1940s: European Influx United States benefited from influx of

many fine artists seeking political refuge Unprecedented international flavor

influenced picture book industry D’Aulaire (Abraham Lincoln) Duvoisin (White Snow, Bright Snow) Rojankovsky (Frog Went A-Courtin’) Simont (A Tree is Nice) Slobodkin (The Hundred Dresses)

1930s through 1960s:A World of Stereotypes

Picturebooks reflected a white Anglo-Saxon world almost exclusively

Stereotypical cultural details Bandana wearing mammy Slanted eyes Asians Sombrero wearing Mexicans Vicious, savage Native Americans

1960s - Present 1960s saw fewer stereotypes, but still

did not introduce race in an authentic way

In 1969, John Steptoe introduced Stevie, an authentic African American character

End of the 20th century saw more cultures accurately and authentically represented in picturebooks

Diversity and Award Winners

What does excellent look like? Caldecott Awards Coretta Scott King Award Pura Belpre Award

Randolph Caldecott AwardEstablished in 1938 and presented yearly to “the

artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children”

Excellence in artistic technique Excellence in illustration of story, theme, or

concept Appropriateness of style of illustration Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting,

mood or information through the pictures Individually distinct

Coretta Scott King Award Commemorates the life and works of Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and honors Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace

Recognizes outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience

Encourages the artistic expression of the black experience by African American authors and illustrators

Award Criteria Heighten and extend the reader’s

awareness of the world Lead to an appreciation of beauty Be neither coy nor condescending Enlarge upon the elements of the text Include details that strengthen the

imagination of the reader Permit the reader to interpret the words

and pictures in a unique manner

Pura Belpre Award Established in 1996, it is presented to a

Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth

Given every other year since 1996; beginning with the 2009 award, it will be given annually

Named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library; storyteller and author who worked to preserve and disseminate Puerto Rican folklore

Award Criteria

Marked by eminence and distinction

Noted for significant achievement Marked by excellence in quality Marked by conspicuous excellence

or eminence Individually distinct

Elements of the Picture Book

Text Illustrations

Design Elements / Format Media Choices

Text 32 Pages in length Patterned Language Rhythm Rhyme Repetition Questions Predictability Pace

Design Elements / Format

Line and shape Color Point of View / Perspective Composition

Line and Shape

Lines and shapes convey meaning Horizontal = peace, repose Vertical = stability Diagonal = action, movement Sharp edges = tension, movement Nongeometric = safety, life

Color

Limited use in early days of illustration because of technical difficulties and cost

Modern reproductive techniques and computer scanning is easier and less expensive

Color should be dictated by mood and theme of story

Point of View, Perspective

Change of focus can convey action Change in mood from reality to

fantasy Change in perspective show

change in mood of characters

Composition No single element exists without the

other Each element should be unified on

each page and from page to page Balance between unity and variety Eye movement from one part of

each page to another and to the text Where the Wild Things Are

Media Choices

Woodcuts Scratchboard Paints Pen and Ink

Woodcuts One of the earliest forms of printing to

reproduce art Nonprint areas are cut away, leaving raised

surface that is inked and pressed on paper Artist must prepare as many woodcuts as

colors, or paint by hand Bold simplicitySnowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs

Martin

Scratchboard Similar appearance to woodcuts,

process different Black ink painted on smooth white

surface of drawing board Ink dries, picture is scratched through

the surface with a sharp instrument Color can be added prior to applying

black ink or painted after complete Offer crisp, rich textureMax Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney

Collage and Construction

“To Paste” Cutting out a variety of different

kinds of materials and assembling them into a unified illustration

Gives texture and visual interestThe Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack KeatsLois Ehlert, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni

Computer-Generated Art Improved technology has increased

ability to produce high-quality illustration

Sophisticated applications = variety of new styles

Use applications to enhance original work (Adobe Photoshop)

Tadpole Rex by Kurt CyrusWiggle by Doreen Cronin

Paints

Most illustration done in this medium

Watercolor – delicate, warm, cozy Zen Shorts

Opaque paint- intense, brilliant When Sophie Gets Angry

Oil Paint- forms layers for texture Coming Home

Crayon, Chalk, Charcoal, and Pencil

Crayon, soft pencil – subtle, gentle Fish is Fish

Pastel and charcoal – rich layers to connect people and places

Pencil – mystical mood, surrealism Van Allsburg

Most artists use combinations of media

What’s Do You Think?

What’s your favorite picture book?Is it an award winner?

Readers’ Poll Top 10 List

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963)2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1947) 3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1979)4 The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)5. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (2003)6. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941)7. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (1955)8. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)9. Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag (1928)10. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (2004)

Which of these were Award Winners?

The Winners… Caldecott Award Winners: Where the Wild Things Are (gold) The Snowy Day (gold) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (silver) Make Way for Ducklings (gold) Madeline (silver) Knuffle Bunny (silver)

Not on the award list: Goodnight Moon Very Hungry Caterpillar Harold and the Purple Crayon Millions Of Cats

Readers’ Choice Poll 2009