Visual Literacy in Children’s Picture Books Reading the Pictures

Some Elements to Consider in the Relationship Between the Viewer, the Image and the Image Maker ANGLES SIZE FRAMING COLOUR DEMANDS AND OFFERS

ANGLES The use of angles in images allows different relationships to be conveyed between people and between people and objects. (‘Luke’s Way of Looking’…looking up at an object-a feeling of superiority is created)

SIZE Illustrations may vary in size to establish and enhance the relationship between the viewer, the image maker and the page. (Horrible Harriet…Harriet is made larger to emphasise her bullying nature)

FRAMING The frame determines the amount of information given to the viewer as well as sometimes signaling a social relationship with a viewer. Long Shot Medium Shot Close Shot (‘The Watertower’…Close Shot)

COLOUR Colour is used both to create convincing images and suggest particular mood or feelings. Variation in tone and saturation can be used for a variety of purposes (The Red Tree…sombre colour is used to create mood-the red tree is highlighted using colour)

DEMANDS AND OFFERS The eyes of the character in the image determine either a demand or offer. When the eyes are looking directly at the viewer, they are called a demand. When the eyes are not looking at the viewer, or there are no characters in the image, this is called an offer. (Drac and the Gremlin…A demand is made of the viewer)

SOME TOOLS USED TO CONSTRUCT MEANING IN PICTURE BOOKS SYNERGY INTERTEXTUALITY METAFICTION MULTIPLE MEANINGS PLURALITY OF MEANING STEREOTYPING JUXTAPOSITION

Where the text and illustrations work together SYNERGY Where the text and illustrations work together (‘Too Many Pears’…French and Whatley have worked closely to produce a unified work)

INTERTEXTUALITY The re-telling or transforming of well-known or traditional stories (‘The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs’…knowledge of the original story is necessary to appreciate the humour of this story)

METAFICTION The manipulation of the whole physical space of the book (‘Faust’s Party’…Ottley has creatively placed text and illustrations in a great variety of positions)

MULTIPLE MEANINGS Picture and text work together to convey the same message or Picture and text can speak together in different voices (‘The Rabbits’…Picture and text are giving different meanings)

PLURALITY Many different meanings working together to produce a unified text (‘Hyram and B.’…there are many meanings layered on top of each other)

STEREOTYPING Characters in the text are given certain traits that are considered common to all characters of that type (‘Willy The Wimp’…Willy is the stereotypical wimp – he is the victim.)

JUXTAPOSITION The placement and variation of text and illustration in relationship to each other (‘Willy’s Pictures’…Browne places illustrations in a variety of places to add meaning to text)