In the sections of this chapter you will do the following:
THE PICTURE BOOK DEFINED Learn the definition of a picture book.
Learn how a picture book is differentiated from an illustrated book.
THE ART AND ARTISTS OF PICTURE BOOKS Learn the ways illustrators are able to create these forms of meaning in picture books: foreshadowing, emotions, tensions, metaphor, climax, mood, character delineations, character development, accuracy and consistency with text, and authenticity of setting.
Learn the definition of style in picture books.
Identify the basic elements of design.
Determine how a change of perspective can alter an illustration.
Determine what effect a woodcut creates in an illustration.
Find out how scratchboard illustrations are prepared.
Determine the effect that the medium of collage gives to illustrations.
Find out about the various types of paints that are used in illustrating picture books.
Discover what effects illustrators can achieve when using crayon, pastel, pencil, or charcoal.
Identify the distinguishing feature of these types of art: realism, impressionism, surrealism, primitive or folk art, and cartoon.
Learn the way a book can be affected by design choices concerning these features: size, shape, cloth cover, jacket, end papers, title page, spacing of pictures and text, margins, type design, paper quality and color, and binding.
THE LANGUAGE OF PICTURE BOOKS Learn the value of these language forms in picture books: exuberant use of language, cadenced language, unusual words, repetition, figurative language, and rich dialogue.
THE CONTENT OF PICTURE BOOKS Distinguish between books written for children and about children.
THEMES AND SUBJECTS IN PICTURE BOOKS Know some topics that are current in books with these themes: family, grandparents, familiar experience, older people, nature, animals as people, cultural diversity, social and environmental concerns, and war and its aftermath.
Note the distinguishing characteristics between traditional folktales and modern folktale-style stories.
Note the various types of humor that appear in picture books.
Identify the forms of fantasy literature found in picture books.
Learn ways that picture books can be used with older children.
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