“A picturebook unlike an illustrated book, is properly
conceived of as a unit, a totality that integrates all the designated parts in
a sequence in which the relationships among them are crucial to understanding
the book.” (Johnson, 2012, p. 73). Picturebooks span various genres and touches
the way readers create meaning from the text. From books where words are left
out and the picture encompasses the meaning of the book, we can learn to
appreciate the importance pictures in a book can have.
Critical Issues:
When
discussing picturebooks, it’s important we know what kind of categories of
picturebooks there are. We have Mother Goose Stories, Concept Books, Alphabet
Books, Counting Books, Wordless picturebooks, Toy books, Pop-up books,
Easy-to-read books, Picture storybooks, and Postmodern picturebooks. Along with
these categories of picturebooks, there are different styles of illustration,
such as representational, surrealistic, impressionistic, cartoon,
expressionistic and native/folk art. We can also use media in these illustrations;
paint and graphics. Lastly, by using various crafting techniques; leads,
figurative language, making a long story short, repetition of a sentence or
phrase, and understatement, we can convey our written meaning in the text.
Teaching Connections:
“Picturebooks can play an important
role in children’s language and literacy development by enriching their
learning experiences through storytelling, elaborating on concepts, or
conveying information.” (Johnson, 2012, p. 97). Ways us as teachers can help in
this important role is by making meaning from picturebooks and learning how to
read picturebooks. There are also a variety of ways children can respond to
such readings; modeling and discussion, literature response journal, making
books, drama; reader’s theater and research; author/illustrator study. Lastly,
we can make connections across the curriculum. In math, a picturebook can help
relieve a child’s anxiety on math subjects. In science, a picturebook can show
children the vibrancy of their surrounding world. In art, a picturebook, like a
pop-up book, can show the creativity of what art can do. Lastly, in history, a
picturebook can make connections between past events and present events.
Literature Examples:
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams, 1984, Grades
3-4/Picturebook, 1984 Caldecott Honor Book
A young girl, Rosa, and her mother,
a waitress, work at the local diner, Blue Tile Diner. Every day after work,
they take theirs tips and save their money in a jar. After losing their house
and possessions in a fire, they lost something they needed most, one big,
comfortable chair that both can enjoy, including grandmother. After saving and
saving and turning their coins into cash, they were able to be a big, comfy
chair and found the perfect one that all could rest after a hard day’s work.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, 2006, Grades
5-6/Graphic Novel, 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Winner, 2007 Eisner Award
Winner Best Graphic Alubm – New, 2006 National Book Award Nominee
“Jin
Wang starts at a new school where he's the only Chinese-American student. When
a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn't want to be associated with an
FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he's in love
with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball,
popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee's annual
visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny's reputation at school, leaving
him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again. The
Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu
and the heavenly disciplines. He's ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods
in heaven. But there's no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these
characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each
other? They're going to have to find a way--if they want fix the disasters
their lives have become.”
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