Everything you want to know about picture books can be found in this simple and handy guide—from what they are and how they evolved, to how they are designed and put together and how to use them.
Everything you want to know about picture books can be found in this simple and straightforward guide. After defining the picture book and describing its history and technological evolution, the author helps you better understand and appreciate picture books by describing how they're made-their anatomy, types of illustration, layouts, design elements, and typography-various types of picture books (genres, formats, styles), how picture books work (the art of the story), and how they relate to child development and literacy. Picture book reviews, building a collection, using picture books with various age groups, and issues such as multicultural literature, classics, and controversial titles are some of the other topics covered.
Chapter 1: What is a Picture Book?
Chapter 2: Anatomy of a Picture Book: Supporting Parts (Paratexts)
Chapter 3: Anatomy of a Picture Book: Picture Space, Design, Medium and Style
Chapter 4: Format or Genre?
Chapter 5: The Art of the Story
Chapter 6: Development, Literacy, and Picture Books
Chapter 7: Picture Book Issue
Chapter 8: Exploring and Using Picture Books
Reviews
"Matulka's straightforward approach and easy tone make this book accessible and appealing to anyone interested in picture books, including librarians, teachers, and aspiring picture book writers. This book would be an excellent supplement for children's literature classes."—Reference & User Services Quarterly
"[Matulka's] discussion of the art terms and techniques related to picture books is especially helpful for readers who approach picture books from more of a literary rather than an artistic background."—Children's Literature Association
