Caldecott illustration analysis

1. Ashley Hunt
X 460

2. Written By:
Mordicai Gerstein
Published By:
Roaring Brook Press
Award Received:
2014 Randolph
Caldecott Medal
The story of Phillippe, a courageous man, who risked it all to pursue his
dreams of conquering yet another tall feat of tight roping.

3.  Within his illustrations, Gerstein
incorporates aspects of both realism
and expressionism. As he tells the
story of Phillippe and his great tight
roping feats, he attempts to pull in
illustrations of real architecture and
settings to help the audience feel
connected to the story. The emotions
felt by Phillippe and the other
characters are expressed through the
sometimes skewed sizes and
combinations of colors presented
throughout the illustrations, as well
as the texture provided through the
use of painterly media.

4.  Gerstein uses the detailed vertical
lines on the tower to not only bring
emphasis to the great height of the two
towers but also represent the
suspenseful disbelief and utter
amazement of the characters in the
story as they think about the daring
feet at hand.
 The intersecting lines of the tower,
where Phillippe and his friend stand,
draw reader’s to think about what is
separating Phillippe from achieving
his dream.
 The curved line around the outside of
the picture helps create depth in the
picture, adding to the tower’s extreme
height.

5.  Within this example, Gerstein
includes the complex and illusive 3D
shape of the triangles to emphasize
the steepness of the ledge.
 The rigid shape, contrasted with the
dark shadows, allows the reader to
feel the excitement and fear as the
man reaches for the arrow.
 The shape of the arrow itself draws
attention to the illustrator’s attempt
to symbolize Phillippe’s opportunity
to tightrope being just out of reach.

6.  Gerstein incorporates both cool and
warm hues within this illustration to
represent the contrasting feelings of all
those about to observe Philippe walk
the tightrope, specifically as he
combined the colors to form the clouds.
 Through the added touches of black
surrounding the villages and the dark
shadows, Gerstein alludes to the great
height Phillipe is conquering as he
towers above the city. This not only
narrows in on the physical distance
between Philippe and those around
him but also on the emotional distance.

7.  Personally, I believe the pastel green
of the sea reflects Philippe’s feeling
of confidence in himself as he tackled
yet another dangerous excursion.
However, Gerstein also portrays the
potential inner turmoil Philippe may
have felt through the choppy waves,
as he attempted to conquer any fear
of falling with his excitement.

8.  The detailed, 2D shape of the rope
helps the reader to create a tactile
experience. Through the contrasting
colors, the reader can sense the ropes
thickness and rigidness.
 Gerstein also put time into showing
the calloused nature of Phillipe’s
hands, symbolizing his experience
with tight roping and his willingness
to work hard to achieve his dreams.

9.  Looking at this picture, Gerstein
created a symmetrical illustration
that could almost be split down the
middle to create two identical halves.
 The contrasting size of the peoples’
faces, the architecture, and Phillippe
on the tightrope add dimension to
the picture, drawing attention to the
height separating him from the
ground.