This document provides an analysis of two children's picture books: This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. For This Is Not My Hat, the summary discusses how Klassen uses subtle illustrations and color schemes to convey the story and tone. For The Polar Express, the analysis suggests the story takes place in the mid-1900s based on clues from the illustrations like hairstyles and decor, and discusses how Van Allsburg uses muted colors and large centered illustrations to immerse the reader.

1. Children’s Picture
Book Analysis
By Corstina Smith

2. Welcome!
Please click a book jacket below to
view my analysis of that book

3. Menu-This Is Not My Hat
Where do you want to go?
Introduction
Ethical
Perspective
Technical
Perspective

4. Button_Smith1.pngButton_Smith1.png
Introduction
Click on fish to continue
This Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, was published in
October 2012. The story is about a little fish who decides to steal a bigger
fish’s hat, which wasn’t a very good decision.
Due to his exquisite yet subtle illustrations, Klassen was awarded the
Caldecott Medal in 2013. His use of a dark background to indicate the story
taking place underwater in addition to his monochromatic color scheme add
to the tone of the characters and the underlying message of the story.
Bac
k

5. Ethical
PerspectiveThis is not my hat addresses two of Lester’s principal
ethical philosophies-Hedonism and the Golden Rule.
Hedonism is basically synonymous with “instant
gratification” as stated by Aristippus, “act to maximize
pleasure now and not worry about the future”.
The Golden Rule essentially states that “one should treat
others as one would like others to treat oneself”.
Please click on fish to view examples from the book of
these two principles.
Bac
k
Click on fish to continue

6. Bac
k
Ethical Perspective-Cont’d
In the beginning of the book, the fish states he stole another’s hat.
This is evidence of Hedonism for the fish fulfilled his desire of
obtaining what he wanted without worrying about the consequences.
Click on fish to continue.

7. Ethical Perspective-Cont’d
Bac
k
The fish states he knows it’s wrong to take things that don’t
belong to him. This is evidence of The Golden Rule for the fish
is performing an act that he knows is morally wrong and
wouldn’t like done to him. Click on fish to continue.

8. Technical
Perspective
Bac
k
Klassen uses color to
enhance the setting
in which the story
takes place. The dark
background and the
muted colors that he
uses provide the
reader with the
feeling of being under
water. Click on fish to
continue.

9. Technical Perspective-Cont’d
Bac
k
In this example, Klassen uses subtle clues without text
to allow the reader to make inferences as to the
outcome of the story. Click on fish to continue.

10. Menu-The Polar
Express
Introductio
n
Where do you want to go?
Historical
Perspectiv
e
Technical
Perspectiv
e
Click here to go back Click here to go forward

11. Introduction
The Polar Express, written and illustrated by Chris Van
Allsburg, was published in 1985. The story is about a boy who
is teetering on whether to succumb to his friend’s ideology of
not believing in Santa Claus. Strangely, that Christmas Eve,
an enchanted train pulls up to his home in which he is invited
to come aboard. He is taken to the North Pole in which Santa
Claus presents him with the first gift of Christmas, a gift that
he will forever cherish.
Due to his flair for capturing facial expressions and crafting
realistic illustrations, Van Allsburg was awarded the Caldecott
Medal in 1986. This was not Van Allsburg’s only award, he
also received a Caldecott award for his work with Jumanji in
1982. Additionally, he has been recognized for many of his
other works.
Click here to go back Click here to go forward

12. Historical
Perspective
Although there is no reference in the The Polar Express as to when it
takes place, one can assume that it probably takes place in the mid
1900s. This is evident by many of the illustrations, such as: the
hairstyles of some of the children, the pack of wolves on the side of
the tracks (they are currently hovering on the endangered species
list), the décor of the boys house, the model of the train that the “Polar
Express” is, and the types of toys that are under the Christmas tree.
Additionally, Van Allsburg’s choice of muted colors depict an antique
feel. Please click on train to view some examples.
Click here to go back
Click here to go forward

13. Hairstyles of girls indicate
earlier time period
Home décor
resembles mid 1900’s
Click here to go back Click here to go forward

14. Technical
PerspectiveVal Allsburg uses dark, muted colors in
his illustrations throughout the book.
This provides the reader with the
perspective of what time of day the
story takes place, which is nighttime.
Click here to go back
Click here to go forward

15. Technical Perspective-Cont’d
Most of the illustrations are large and centered on each of the pages making
them the focal point. The text is small and on the right or left margin making it
secondary compared to the vivid illustrations. The intent of Van Allsburg was
probably to have the reader use their imagination while viewing the pictures
rather than solely using the text to tell the story.
Click here to go back Click here to go forward

16. The End
Click here to go back