1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

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

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

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

7. Woodcuts
Engravings
Fabric
Scratchboard
Collage
Cut Paper
Photography
Mixed Media
Digital