Evaluating Picture Books: some textbook guides Types of Picture Books Board Books Mother Goose Toy and Flap Tactile Participation Alphabet Concept Story Book Wordless Counting Evaluating Picture Books: some textbook guides

Artistic Design What is happening? What techniques does the illustrator use to engage the viewer? How is the image composed? Picture This: How Pictures Work Placement of images on the page Choice of Color Size &Shape Perspective Use of White Space Texture Line

Elements of design in picture books Line: Lines may be thick, thin, whole or broken. The direction of the line can convey meaning. Horizontal lines may express rest or peace. Vertical lines may suggest stability. Diagonal lines express action and movement. Space: Space can show isolation or closeness. Space may express reality and fantasy. Borders which enclose space can give meaning to the story. Colour: Colour can denote setting, theme or mood. Children of all ages like colour, but bright colours are often used in books for young children, while black and white is more often found in books for older children. Use of black and white may be dictated by cost; it is less expensive than colour. Colour is often used in nonfiction books, even those intended for older children. Shape: Shapes can be distinct or vaguely suggested, simple or complex. Shapes can fill the page or clutter it; they can give weight to the picture. Shapes can suggest character and setting. Perspective: Perspective is the place or angle from which the reader is viewing the picture. Changing the perspective or focus can show action. Texture: The picture may seem solid and heavy, light and weightless, or anything in between. They may have a ‘touchable’ feel. Created by Cath Keane and adapted from Art in children’s books © 2006 School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K–12 Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training.

Additional Design Considerations Dust Jacket Cover Endpapers Title Page Dedication Front Matter Choice of Lettering Placement of Text Use of Borders

Artistic Style Realism Surrealism Impressionism Expressionism Naïve or Primitive or Folk Art Cartoon Art Personal Style

Artistic Media Oil Acrylics Watercolor Graphite Pencil Gouche Pastels Pencil Ink Charcoal

Woodcuts Engravings Fabric Scratchboard Collage Cut Paper Photography Mixed Media Digital