Looking Twice at Illustrated Books
Illustrations often lure would-be readers into books. Illustrations in today's books do more than just provide a visual accompaniment to text. They can also establish setting, define and develop characters, provide differing viewpoints, extend or develop the plot, establish mood, and provide interesting asides (Tunnell &Jacobs, 2008). While it has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, illustrations have the power to engage the reader and support the text. Today's books offer a wide range of illustrated formats guaranteed to attract readers with their sumptuous colors and painstaking details. The role of illustration varies from the traditional picture book with illustrations on every page to chapter books with illustrations sprinkled across several pages. In the case of graphic novels illustrations are at the heart of the books, carrying the text across vividly imagined panels. In addition, teachers are increasingly aware of the role of the visual literacy component in their students' developing literacy. Often they are amazed that their students see things in book illustrations that the teachers themselves missed, creating many interesting discussions and prompting teachers to take another look at the illustrations in books.
On the following pages are some of our recent favorite illustrated books for children young and old.
Grades PK-2
Ahlberg, Allan. (2007). Previously. Illustrated by Bruce Ingman. Cambridge, MA:
Candlewick Press. 32 pages, $16.99. ISBN 978*7636-3542-8.
Have you ever speculated about your favorite fairy-tale characters' activities before the \arguing about before going up the hill? Ahlberg explains what the characters were doing previously and helps readers see how their lives interconnect. Ingman's cartoon-like illustrations are the perfect complement to this delightful read-aloud tale. Bateman, Donna M. (2007). Deep in the swamp. Illustrated by Brian lies. Watertown,
MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pages, $15.95, ISBN 1570915962.
With engaging, rhythmic patterns in the text and lush, greenish acrylic paintings that almost ooze with Southern humidity, this book depicts the animals and plants in the Okefenokee Swamp in an appealing fashion. The book would be perfect as a read-aloud for a science unit on swamps or ecosystems.
Beaty, Andrea. (2007). Iggy Peck, architect. Illustrated by David Roberts. New York:
Abrams. 32 pages, $15.95, ISBN 0-810911060 -x.
Ever since he was two, Iggy Peck has loved to build. Luckily for him, his understanding parents encouraged that creativity, and his love for architecture continues unabated until a second grade teacher tries to redirect his efforts. But Iggy gets his revenge when his skills are needed during the class picnic. Readers will love the story of a creative spirit, accompanied by equally creative illustrations with lines and colors that pay tribute to the world of building.
Gate, Annette LeBlanc. (2007). The magic rabbit. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. 32
pages, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-7636-2672-3.
Street magician Ray loves his rabbit, Bunny, as they work and play together every day. One day, however, they are separated, and Bunny has to find his way back to Ray in a crowded, confusing city. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations lend a nostalgic, mysterious air to this engaging tale and the glittering yellow stars sprinkled across the pages will attract young readers just as quickly as they attract Bunny.
Daly, Nikki. (2007). Pretty Salma.
New York: Clarion Books. $16.00, 32 pages, ISBN 0618723455.
When her grandmother sends Salma to the market, she warns her about talking to strangers. But the wily Mr. Dog tricks her into chatting with him and giving up all of her possessions on the way home. The watercolor illustrations pulse vibrantly, and the artist has depicted the story's West African setting with careful detail and lovely colors. Daly's cautionary tale is blended with humor and attractive characters. Deedy, Carmen Agra. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: A Cuban folktale. Illustrated by Michael Austin. Atlanta: Peachtree Press. 32 pages, $16.95, ISBN
1-56145-399-3.
Elegant pastels depict the life and loves of Martina, a green cockroach who lives in a streetlamp in Cuba. When the time comes for Martina to choose a husband from among her suitors, her grandmother suggests that she use the coffee test to determine their temperaments. By spilling coffee on each suitor, she will be able to observe each one's reactions to something unpleasant. Martina's expressively drawn eyes and engaging demeanor will captivate readers young and old.
Fleming, Denise. (2007). Beetle bop.
Orlando: Harcourt. 32 pages, $16.00 ISBN: 978-0-15-205936-1.
In expressive text, Fleming introduces young readers to the characteristics and
activities of beetles. \rhythmic, simple text literally dances with Fleming's trademark illustrations, which are created by pouring colored cotton fiber into hand-cut stencils. Children will beg to hear this book read again and again.
Kleven, Elisa. (2007). The apple doll.
New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. 40 pages, $16.00, ISBN: 0-374-30380-0. Lizzy loves nothing more than playing in the apple tree in her yard. All year long, the tree provides her with lots of fun and adventure. Lizzy's world changes when it is time for her to begin school. Her mother teaches her how to make an apple doll. It is this doll that helps Lizzy overcome her shyness and make new friends at school. Kleven's watercolor illustrations are highlighted with bits of decorated paper collage to create comfy and inviting images.
Worth, Valerie. (2007). Animal poems. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 48 pages, $17.00, 0-374-38057-0. Is it the poems or the amazing cut-paper illustrations or their perfectly imagined partnership that makes this volume so appealing? Worth and Jenkins focus on twenty-three different animals in this memorable tribute to the fascinating creatures who share this world with us.
Yaccarino, Dan. (2007). Every Friday.
New York: Henry Holt and Company. 32 pages, $16.95, ISBN: 0-80507-724-3. In a tribute to the Friday breakfasts the author/illustrator shares with his son Michael, he offers readers a rich slice of their life and what has become a family ritual. A father and his son take the time to stroll to their favorite restaurant for breakfast, savoring the sights, smells, and surroundings of their neighborhood along the way. The artist used gouache on watercolor paper to convey a sentimental feel to the book's illustrations and to remind readers that there's something special about quality time spent between parent and child.
Grades 3-5
Bishop, Nic. (2007). Nic Bishop spiders.
New York: Scholastic. 48 pages, $17.99, ISBN 0439877563.
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