Picture Book Analysis
Children’s Literature
“To read a picture book is not only to consider each element in isolation but also to analyze the way in which all the elements work together” arguing, “a picture book relies on the interdependence of the word and image” from Reading Children’s Literature, Hintz and Tribunella.
The Assignment:
For this assignment, you will write an analysis of a picture book focusing on a specific image in the text. You will look at how word and image work together to “form an artistic whole,” how together the text and image create meaning.
Keep in mind that you are writing an analysis, not a book report. You should aim to be critical and consider the specifics of the genre, how words and images unfold to present story, plot and setting. When reading, go cover-to-cover, page-by-page, reading everything; look at the words and images together—see what kind of relationship occurs between them. Remember that you are looking for how the text and illustrations work together, not commenting on whether the book has a good moral or would work well in a classroom.
You will need to include:
Create an introduction for the essay
A brief summary of the story to give the reader context for your analysis. Be sure to include the author and illustrator’s names, the title and the publication date
A brief overview of the image/page you have chosen to analyze: where it occurs in the narrative/story, what is happening in it, why you have chosen this particular image
A detailed analysis of the image: and how compositional elements work with text to create emotion. During this section, you must make a minimum of three, (more is even better), references to Molly Bang’s text Picture This: How Pictures Work.
conclusion that wraps up your essay and gives it a sense of completeness.
Below is a list of things to consider when drafting your analysis. You will not be able to note all of these references but this list should get you thinking critically:
Consider how the story sounds when read aloud: is there any rhyme or repetition that might enforce language skills? Is the reading aloud melodic? Does it draw the reader in, asking for interaction?
Placement of word and image in a relation to each other and/or standing alone
Type of word format: font, size, color or language
Color use: limit saying that the illustrator uses bold colors. What is bold about the color choices? What are the colors? How do the colors work with the words and images? With the narrative? How color may draw an emotional or psychological response from the reader?
Variety of media forms for images: drawings in pencil or full color, photograph, painting, collage, etc.
An attention to texture: is it tactile? Can the reader touch the art/image?
Consider space: is the page full? Empty? Do words or images fall off the page? Frame elements that are part of the story?
The relationship between form and content: do the visuals—how the words are viewed on the page and how the images are placed—relate to the content of the plot and story?
How the characters are real or imagined: created folk or iconic symbols or non-fiction representations of real people
How time unfolds in the narrative: clock time or other
How space is felt in the narrative: physical place, defined or not
What is fore-grounded and in the background?
The “reality value” or level of abstraction: Are the images life-like or stick figures?
Size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control? Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?
A good way to start your analysis is by reading your book in different ways. Make note of your impressions and reactions.
1. Read the book straight through.
What strikes you as most important?
Read only the text, ignoring the illustrations.
Can the text stand alone?
3. Read only the illustrations, ignoring the text.
Do the illustrations alone tell the story?
Read aloud, listening to the sound of the text.
Does the language enhance or detract from the overall effect?
Read to notice where the text breaks.
Would the story experience change if the text were broken differently?
Read to notice the illustrator’s choices.
How is the illustration related to the text on each page?
Read the colors.
What colors, hues, saturation, tones, etc. does the illustrator use?
Read for the page layout.
What is the effect of the illustration and text placement on the page?
REMEMBER – There is no one “right” interpretation.
Format:
Your Picture Book Analysis should be typed (standard, 12-point font) and three pages (no extra space between paragraphs, please).
MLA should be used for your citation and essay format.
Attach a color copy of your image.
Be sure to include a photo of the illustration you analyzed.