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 "once upon a time?" Perhaps you have wondered what Jack and Jill were
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.