Presentation slides from Kristin McIlhagga's MRA2015 presentation "Examining Illustration/Text Relationships in Picturebooks for Classroom Selection & Discussion"
These slides provide information about types of books with illustrations, design & illustration elements, and ways of thinking about text selection.
4. Picturebooks
“the pictures focus our attention on specific
aspects of the words and cause us to interpret
them in specific ways. As a result, a picture book
contains at least three stories:
The one told by the words
The one implied by the pictures
The one that results from the combination of the
words and pictures” (Nodelman & Reimer, 2003,
p. 153)
Sipe (1998) refers to the synergy between words
and pictures
5. Efferent & Aesthetic
Reading
Often incorrectly referred to as a dichotomy
“… the terms efferent and aesthetic refer to a
continuum of “mixes” of different proportions….
these aspects may fluctuate during the reading
but both are always present .” (Rosenblatt 1995)
Donalyn – when I read more selectively, I can
feel the work move to the front of my brain
6. Ways of Reading
Personal (as a reader)
“This book made me cry”
Pedagogical (as a teacher)
“I could use this book to teach _____”
Efferent and Aesthetic stance (Rosenblatt)
8. What picture books can
offer
Engagement for readers of all levels
Visual Literacy
A way into complex story
Scaffolding critical reading
Aesthetics
Close reading –reread multiple times!!!
9. Relationships between
words & illustrations
Symmetrical*
Text & images reflect each other. It is possible to read
one or the other and still understand the story.
Also referred to as twice-told tales (Vandergrift) or
parallel storytelling (Agosto).
Complimentary*
The text and images compliment and extend each
other. There is additional information to be gained from
the relationship
Also referred to as interdependent storytelling (Agosto)
Contradictory*
The text and images tell two different stories. What is
happening in one is not necessarily happening in the
other.
*Hintz & Tribunella
10. Leveling Books
Importance of knowing how book levels are
determined.
For example:
Lexile text numbers are determined using:
Length of word & number of syllables
Length of sentence & punctuation
Length of paragraphs
What is missing?
12. Some Illustrative Elements
Term Definition
Hue Gradation between segments of the visible light
spectrum. Provides the stimuli that allows us to
distinguish color – e.g. blue, turquoise and green.
Also known as color.
Saturation Dominance, intensity or purity of the color. In
printing, it refers to the amount of pigment used in
creating the ink.
Line A basic building block of illustrations. Lines can be
used to express mood and evoke senses, including
the sense of motion. Lines have style and
expressivity from feathery and light to angular and
heavy.
15. Your Turn!!!
Work with a partner or group of three…
Read through the book looking for different
elements
Think & Talk about how those elements affect
you as a reader on the efferent/aesthetic
continuum
How about on the reader/teacher continuum?
16. Book Selection
Books we like as individual readers
Books selected for classes
Purpose
Curriculum, topic, theme
Not all texts work for every purpose
Ultimately – needs to be thoughtful
“Quality literature connects with us emotionally; increases our awareness, compassion, and humanity; teaches us; and delights us with interesting language and stories.” (Johnson, Ch.1, pg 4)
“(Children’s literature) helps children develop personal values and better understand both themselves and those around them. …. It is also pertinent to children’s language and literacy development.” (Johnson, Ch.1, pg 4)
Format vs. genre
Efferent – focus on what can be retained for later use e.g. information, directions, summaries, facts
Aesthetic – experiential, what is being “evoked” as reading occurs, sensations, images, feelings, emotional, and intellectual associations.
*ReREreading – talk about conversation with Erica”
Also wordless picturebooks
Symmetrical – The Dog
Complimentary – Officer Buckle & Gloria
Contradictory – Come Away from the Water, Shirley
