Getting to Know Picture Books
- amiller8979
- Jan 23
- 1 min read
by Amber Miller
January 23, 2025
Picture books are not a genre but a form that spans multiple text structures (narrative, expository) and genres (realistic fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, biography, etc.). Generally, picture books are 32 pages long, but there are exceptions. By definition, picture books do not rely on words alone to tell a story; instead, the story depends on two media: art and print. Listen to author Mac Barnett (Extra Yarn, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole) share his thoughts about the role of words and pictures in picture books.
Considerations for Text in Picture Books
How does the author use language to tell the story? Consider their use of:
Rhythm | Rhyme |
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons (Litwin, 2012) | Is Your Mama a Llama? (Guarino, 1989) |
Patterns or Repetition | Questions |
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Martin, 1967) | Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Willems, 2003) |
Considerations for Art in Picture Books
How does the illustrator use:
Line:
straight or curved?
thick or thin?
horizontal, vertical, or diagonal? direction?
Color:
hue (red, orange, yellow, etc.)
value (light or dark)
intensity
contrast
Shape:
geometric or abstract?
curved or angular?
Texture:
smooth?
rough?
soft?
Finding Picture Books
Coretta Scott King Book Awards (look for the illustrator)
Pura Belpré Award (look for the illustrator)
Nerdy Book Club Awards for Fiction Picture Books
Nerdy Book Club Awards for Nonfiction Picture Books
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