Chapter 7
Picture Books
Picture books are a combination of literature and fine arts. With a few exceptions picture books have 32 pages and even though they are rarely numbered they generally are the same length. (I thought that was an interesting factoid)
The process of producing a picture book begins with the text. After the text is approved then it is sent to the artist to interpret the text. The author does not know what the artist has done until the book is complete. I think if I were the author I might have a hard time letting someone else tamper with my book without my approval, even if it a picture book.
Picture books are not categorized into any genre. But many are classified as fiction. Picture books started when early humans would leave their picture stories on the cave wall. Randolph is considered the father of the picture books. He was a British born Caldecott, which is where we got the prestigious Caldecott Medal from. He is known for two of his two early picture books called, Sing a Song for Sixpence and Hey Diddle Diddle.
Picture books are literary texts and illustrations that are designed to be effective and attractive. Because it takes awhile to produce a book they are usually more expensive than many other kinds of books. The basic terms that are used to describe the visual or pictorial elements in picture books are line, color, shape, texture, and design or composition.
Because picture books are only 32 pages, pictures books must be composed carefully to say a lot in a limited amount of space. The books need to contain characters, plot, setting, well-written prose (good writing with appealing words and sentences), figurative language (using similes and metaphors), good opening lines, communication between characters, using understatement (knowing when to not say too much), voice (a writers signature style).
There are many forms of picture books: alphabet books, concept books, pope-up books, interactive books, wordless picture books, and predictable patterned language books.
I like how in each chapter this book gives us guidelines for choosing literature. It has so much information; I have decided I need to keep this book for my collection for future use. I will have to say it again; I think it is important to do a little bit of research when choosing the books that you put in your classroom.
Picture Books
Picture books are a combination of literature and fine arts. With a few exceptions picture books have 32 pages and even though they are rarely numbered they generally are the same length. (I thought that was an interesting factoid)
The process of producing a picture book begins with the text. After the text is approved then it is sent to the artist to interpret the text. The author does not know what the artist has done until the book is complete. I think if I were the author I might have a hard time letting someone else tamper with my book without my approval, even if it a picture book.
Picture books are not categorized into any genre. But many are classified as fiction. Picture books started when early humans would leave their picture stories on the cave wall. Randolph is considered the father of the picture books. He was a British born Caldecott, which is where we got the prestigious Caldecott Medal from. He is known for two of his two early picture books called, Sing a Song for Sixpence and Hey Diddle Diddle.
Picture books are literary texts and illustrations that are designed to be effective and attractive. Because it takes awhile to produce a book they are usually more expensive than many other kinds of books. The basic terms that are used to describe the visual or pictorial elements in picture books are line, color, shape, texture, and design or composition.
Because picture books are only 32 pages, pictures books must be composed carefully to say a lot in a limited amount of space. The books need to contain characters, plot, setting, well-written prose (good writing with appealing words and sentences), figurative language (using similes and metaphors), good opening lines, communication between characters, using understatement (knowing when to not say too much), voice (a writers signature style).
There are many forms of picture books: alphabet books, concept books, pope-up books, interactive books, wordless picture books, and predictable patterned language books.
I like how in each chapter this book gives us guidelines for choosing literature. It has so much information; I have decided I need to keep this book for my collection for future use. I will have to say it again; I think it is important to do a little bit of research when choosing the books that you put in your classroom.
I agree you about the guidelines provided in the chapters for selecting books. At least with this guideline you know that you are selecting appropriate books for your class library and students.
ReplyDelete