Picturebook and Activity Guide

Plot Pitch – Marylou Smith

Benny wants to have all of his parents’ attention to himself but can’t because he now has a new little sister who gets “all of the attention.”  But when Benny pushes his attention-getting strategies too far, he gets into big trouble.  He is able to see how it’s okay for a new addition to come into his family and how having a baby sister can be lots of fun.    

Benny wants to be the center of attention in his family but can’t because he has a new baby sister.  But when Benny takes things too far to seek his parents’ attention, he learns that parents can fit enough love for everyone in their hearts and he is able to learn that having a little sister can be great fun.

Rough draft of picturebook:   The New Baby

Week 8: Create a Picturebook

The secret of life - Picturebook

1. Identify the image that in your opinion is the most effective in developing the story as a whole. and explain why it was effective. Did the image and written narrative interact in a way the created irony, metaphor and/or metonymy?

The image that is most effective in developing the story as a whole is on page 3: where the two young children are peering out from a small space, as if trying to discover a "secret."  The image is a direct reflection of the text; the text mentions a "secret," and the two young children appear to be sneaking out from a hiding place to discover that "secret" thus interacting in a way to create metonymy.


3. Explain how two or more elements in the illustration help support and develop the story.

One of the elements in the illustration is the tight space surrounding the children; the children appear to be hiding themselves from plain sight in order to discover something (employing the element of space).  As the idea of most secrets are enticing to children, this element supports the concept of a secret.

The second element that is used in the illustration is color.  The dark nature of the children's hiding space suggests that the children are trying not to be discovered while they are attempting to ascertain the "secret."  The illustration effectively invokes the idea of sneaking up on the "secret" to learn about it.

4. Identify two elements that are repeated throughout a majority of the images. Explain how these elements support the story. 

 

The borders of the pictures are well-defined, suggesting a linear progression through the story; however, the pictures themselves (the visual art) contain circular elements which project the idea of endlessness.  The concept that the "secret of life" is an on-going process of learning and growing is supported by these visual elements. 

Week #7 – Picturebook Review

Literary review of Frederick by Leo Lionni

Text:

1. The text of a children's book is usually organized into simple sentences and short paragraphs. How is the text organized in the book that you have chosen to review? Explain whether this organization was sufficient for the story that this book is telling. 

The text used in Frederick is mostly simple.  There are a few “advanced” words (e.g. “granary,” “reproachfully,” periwinkles”) that provide exposure to an expanded vocabulary for younger reader; however, the majority of the text is simplistic and accessible for all ages.  The text is presented in paragraph form; it is not broken up, and it is always placed (except for Frederick’s poem) in the upper left hand corner of the right page.  This allows for each of Lionni’s images to be the focus of each page turn.  The font is simple (without embellishment) which allows the reader to focus on the images. 

2. Children's book authors often employ literary tools to help make the story more vivid in the readers’ minds. Commonly used literary tools are rhythm, alliteration, repetition, refrains, onomatopoeia, simile, personification, rhyme, and imagery. Identify three different areas in the text where a literary tool has been employed. For each example you identify, state the type of literary tool that is used and how the employment of the tool helps support the story. 

Personification: This is one of the main tools used in Frederick as the mice are gathering crops for their long winter’s hibernation.  The mice complain at Frederick, who is perceived as an individual who refused to help for the common good.  The mice talk amongst themselves, chiding Frederick for his seeming laziness.  The idea that the mice have personalities, conflict, and the ability to communicate on a higher level (i.e. judge each other’s contribution to the larder) are all examples of personification.

 Imagery: One of the most pervasive tools that Lionni employs is imagery.  One of the strongest examples of this is when Frederick the mouse describes the “supplies” that he has gathered to his family:  while the clan shivers in their winter hiding space, Frederick tells them to imagine “the rays of the sun… [and] their golden glow.”  This makes the mice feel warmer!  Lionni describes, vividly, the colors of the flowers and field plants for his reader as well; his words make the text come alive.

Onomatopoeia:  This tool is employed to emphasize certain characters’ personalities and traits:  the cows are grazing (a languid word), whereas the horses ran(a short, staccato word).   

3. Identify two areas in the text that use a question or other device to help move the reader to the next page. 

The first question that helps the reader move to the next page occurs when the hard-working mice ask, “Frederick, why don’t you work?”  They are frustrated that Frederick appears to be lounging, doing nothing to help the greater good of the mouse family.   The reader receives Frederick’s answer with his response:  “I do work… I gather sun rays for the cold dark winter days.”  This compels the reader to go on and discover how Frederick’s supplies will be used.

Another question that helps move the reader along the story occurs when the family of mice runs low on supplies and is cold, they ask Frederick “what about your supplies, Frederick?”  This entices the reader to turn the page and find out just what Frederick will do with the “items” that he has collected.  The reader discovers how poetry and imagery can help bring light into even the dreariest of situations.

Images

1. Some picture books have images on the front cover that presents the main conflict or point of the story. Identify two or more elements from the front cover of the book you are reviewing and explain how they relate to the story.

Some picture books have images on the front cover that presents the main conflict or point of the story. Identify two or more elements from the front cover of the book you are reviewing and explain how they relate to the story. 

The front cover of the book relates to the book in several ways:  first, the main character, Frederick, is portrayed on the cover.  In addition, his expression is one of relaxed, almost sleepy, indicating that he may not be the most energetic of characters.  Lastly, Frederick is holding one of his cherished flowers; this relates to the “supplies” that he gathers for the long, cold winter.

 

2. What is the primary medium (collage, drawings, photographs, etc.) used in the images? 

 

The primary medium is collage; Lionni is well-known for tearing shapes out of various mediums and creating pictures from these bits of material.  He also utilizes realistic/natural colors found in nature. 

 

3. Identify the image that in your opinion is the most effective in developing the story as a whole. Explain how two or more elements in the illustration help support and develop the story. If you can, insert a screenshot of the image into your blog.

 

 

The image that is most effective in developing the story as a whole is one where Frederick is seen staring off into the distance while his other family members are busy gathering supplies for the winter.  Frederick is perceived as lazy and as someone who is not contributing to the groups.  The reader can see one of the mice eyeing Frederick, appearing to wonder what Frederick is doing and why Frederick is not helping. 

 

4. Identify two elements that are repeated throughout a majority of the images. Explain how these elements support the story. If you can, insert a screenshot into your blog.

 

Two elements repeated throughout this book are position and color.

 

Position:  Frederick sitting away from his family in each of the book’s images.  This suggests that Frederick is different and may feel isolated as such. He is an artists (a poet), and the other mice do not understand him and his view of the world. Some of the images have Frederick sitting below the other mice; however, at the end, when Frederick’s art is recognized and appreciated, Frederick sits in a position above the other mice.  This implies that he contributions are now valued.

 

 

Color:  In Frederick, Lionni uses color to enhance the moods that Frederick is creating with his imagery.  For example, the yellow of the mentioned sun creates a feeling of happiness and warmth; the reds, greens, and blues of the page when Frederick talks of the flowers, creates a serene, warm, happy mood to push out the dreariness of the winter.

 

5. Find an example of how the images and text work together to create irony, metaphor and/or metonymy. If you can insert a screenshot of the image into your blog. 

 

I think that the text and image on the page where the family of mice recognize Frederick as a poet work together to identify Frederick as unique and different; this is an example of metonymy.  Frederick exemplifies the idea that being different is okay and that one’s uniqueness can make a valuable contribution to society as a whole.

 

Characterization 

 

1. What is the easily identifiable dominant trait of the story's main character? 

 

Frederick is rather laid-back and is willing to let others do the daily tasks of gathering food supplies.  This establishes the main character as someone removed from those who are working hard towards the common good of the family. Others do not understand Frederick; however, at the end of the story, the family realizes Frederick’s talents and contributions.

 

2. Identify a character trait of the main character that is established through the text. 

 

The character traits of appreciativeness (of nature), commitment (to his art), and imaginative (being able to create images from words) are the character traits are established for Frederick through the text. 

 

 

3. Identify a character trait of the main character that is established through the images. 

 

The images of Frederick establish the character traits of loneliness (as he sits removed from his family), thoughtfulness (as Frederick gazes around, seemingly oblivious to his family’s hard work), and steadfast (to his commitment to his art).

 

 

4. Identify two character traits of the main character that young children identify or sympathize with. 

 

I think that young children often feel different than their peers; they feel like they don’t’ fit in, and they often feel alone in an adult’s work-filled world.  I think that Lionni’s book reminds the older reader to recognize the value of creativity while encouraging the young reader to be true to whom they are and to follow their dreams, no matter how much others don’t understand it.

 

 

5. What was the main problem that the main character faces in the book? How is this problem similar to a problem that most children have faced before? 

 

Frederick, the main character, finds that his creativity and art is unappreciated; his family members view him as lazy and as non-contributing.  He finds that his family members don’t understand him and that they cannot see how his “supplies” can be used. 

 

Children are often seen as non-industrious (that what they do to learn is, literally, “child’s play.”  Oftentimes, adults fail to recognize the value in a child’s imagination.  In addition, children are often seen as people who cannot help (they may be too small or may not know how  to help their families).  Like Frederick, children may feel isolated, alone, and unappreciated. 

 

6. Sometimes a children's book character will solve the main conflict on his or her own. How did the character in the book you selected turn to self-reliance to solve the main conflict of the story?

In the case of Frederick, I do not believe that he necessarily used self-reliance to solve the main conflict; however, I do believe that his perseverance, commitment to his craft, and his belief in himself to stay true to what he believed contributed to the resolution. 

 

 

 

References

 

Leo Lionni. (2014, January 7). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 4, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Lionni

 

Lionni, L. (1967).  Frederick. New York: Dragonfly Books. 

 

Serafini, F. (2014). Reading the visual: an introduction to teaching multimodal literacy. New York: Teachers Collage Press.

 

 

Week 6: Analyzing Visual Images and Design in Picturebooks

Where is the text located? Within the image? Separated by borders or white space, Why?
Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits?  Consider the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?

The text of the picturebook is located underneath most of the images in the book, separated by white space.  Considering that this is a picturebook, the extra white spacing around images and text make the text more accessible to the age ranges to which it is intended.  The framing white spacing also allows more “space” for the reader to interpret the text and images.  The white space also allows for the natural breaks between the four voices.  If the images and text would bleed, this would be indicative of a continuous story/narration; the manner in which Browne segments the four voices is enhanced by the white space and the way that the images are framed.

The illustrations are single-page images.  In addition, the images change over the course of the book; they vary in size: they get bigger, smaller and, at times, bleed.  This variation contributes to the tone of the book, allowing the reader to visually focus on different elements as the four narratives progress.  For example, when the focus of the text is the unemployed man, the corresponding image is of him alone in a close-up; however, when the focus is of his neighborhood, the image pulls back and allows the reader to see the details of his world (e.g. the homeless man, the dirty street, etc.). 

Select an image from Voices In The Park to consider:

What is fore-grounded and in the background?  The foreground of the image is the two young children (the haughty woman’s son and the unemployed man’s daughter) sitting on a park bench and talking.  In the background is an interesting mix of clouds, shadows, and barren trees (on the boy’s side) and sunny blue skies, leafy tress, and flowers (on the girl’s side).  I find this mixture interesting, as they are on the same bench.  I think that this background echos the attitude (home life) of each child.. the lonely boy comes in second to his mother’s beloved dog, and girl, although coming from a less-fortunate home, is happy and loved.

Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?  The first thing that catches my eye in the image is the divider in the middle of the image: the light post.  This bold color stands out against the paler colors of the image, and it serves as a concrete delineation point between the two vastly different worlds of these two children.

What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?  The dominating colors of the image are pale greens and browns.  To me, this illustrates the expansive nature of the children’s world and how much of those worlds are shaped by their respective parents.  It also indicates how neutral the world can be without the prejudices and judgments that grownups can contribute. 

Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?  There is much white space around the image and the text; the illustration is framed.  For me, this indicates a definitive period in time, a crystallized moment that can change everything going forward (in this case: a breaking of social barriers).

What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?  The images are more life-like than abstract; they have a level of reality to them (despite the characters being gorillas).  The details of the images are very realistic: the clothing details, the depiction of the park elements – the bench, the texture of the walkways, the details of the characters’ homes).  All contribute to a high level of reality. 

Are there any recurring patterns in the images?  There are several thing that seem to be recurring in the images: grass/outside/open spaces dominate most of the images; in addition, there are shadows in almost every image as well (even the ones indoors).  I equate these shadows as all of the influences that shape our attitudes and beliefs of things… the social mores and ideas that follow us around, whether we agree with them or not, hanging over us and coloring our world.

Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?  The only thing that really sticks out to me is the fact the characters are monkeys/gorillas.  The significance of this, in my opinion, is that the neutrality of the monkeys allow any reader to see themselves in the story (rather than pigeon-holing a certain type of person into the story). 

What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?  I think that the artist wants us to see the different characteristics of the speakers in the story as well as their feelings during their own narratives. For example, when the mother is angry that her dog is being sniffed by Smudge’s dog, the mother’s hat flies off of her head.  Another example of this is when the boy is presenting his narrative: his world is full of dark clouds and shadows; he is lonely and depressed.  In the same situation (at the park) from the little girl’s perspective, the images contain light and green grass; she is jovial and light-hearted.  Different illustration elements portray the same situations with different emotions of the characters. 

Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?  Again, I must point to the shadows which seem to be present in almost every image.  To me, these symbolize the preconceived notions that are instilled in us as children by our caregivers; these ideas follow us and threaten to color every interaction that we have with other people if we are not careful to avoid judging people before we actually get to know them.

Consider the style or artistic choices? Are the appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?  The artistic choices of the book contribute to the whimsy of the book; the idea the monkeys/gorillas are acting like “real” people is amusing while contributing to the message of the story.  The images lead to the reader wanting to turn the page to see what these characters will do in their individual stories.  The facial expressions of the characters reflect the meaning of the text.

How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?  The images are framed with white (with the exception of the few that bleed).  The images, when related to the well-to-do woman and her son, have clear, clean lines;  when the images relate to the unemployed man and his daughter, the edges are ragged and worn.  These borders emphasize the related individuals stations in life.

Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?  The setting is realized in the images; the realistic setting of the images (the park, apartment, house, etc.)

Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?  The images of the haughty woman seem larger than most; to me, this connotes her portrayal to desire control, power, and to maintain her position of being above others.  Compared to the images of the man, boy, and girl, the woman is quite large.  I think that this reinforces her self-importance and of how she feels more important than everyone else. 

Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?  The characters do not directly address the viewer; however, they do (for the most part) address each other.  Aside from the woman, the characters connect with each other: the boy and the girl; the girl and the man… the woman stays, literally, disconnected from everyone; she even stays at a distance from her own son.  I think that this distance reinforces her disconnect from society as a whole and her desire to stay at arm’s length from people.  The man is more connected and shows more love to his child, and the boy desires that connection; he finds it with Sludge.. . if only for a few hours. 

 

Weekly Reading #6

1.  Explain why Voices in The Park is an example of a postmodern picturebook.

Voices In The Park (by Anthony Browne) is an example of a postmodern picture book as it closely follows the characteristics Serafini (2014) lists in Chapter 6 (p. 82).  Browne tells the same story (an afternoon in the park) from four different perspectives, utilizing four different narrators:  a well-heeled, overprotective mother (and dog-owner), an unemployed working-class man, the child of the overprotective mother, and the daughter of the unemployed man.  Each of these characters experience a different “reality” of the same situation (a day at the park), and each of these narrators.  Their stories are interconnected, as the boy of the mother and the girl of the father play together; their two dogs also interact through each perspective.
                   
2. Give examples of how at least three of the picturebook codes listed on pg 78 are used in Voices In The Park.

Codes of Position and size:  In most of the images of the wealthy, haughty mother, she is placed in the forefront.  I believe that her degree of self-importance is highlighted by this placement.  She feels that she is above everything and everybody, and the placement of her as such reinforces that.  Contrasting this, the other three stories integrate the characters into their surroundings; there are other elements to focus on in their images rather that just the character/narrator him/herself.  In the majority of the mother’s images, she is the main focus.

Codes of frame:  many of the images in Browne’s book are framed. Although without definite lines, the pictures do not bleed into the entire page (as many picture books do).  While the images do have clear borders, the edges echo the feeling of each character that Browne has created.  For example, the edges of the images related to the well-off mother and her son are clean and crisp; in contrast, the edges of the pictures relating to the unemployed father and his daughter are less clean.  Those images are ragged and worn on the borders.

 

Codes of Color:  Browne uses color to convey the emotions of each narrator’s perspective.  With regard to the first character, the well-to-do mother, her world is bright and sunny, clean and well-kept.  However, when she panics at the thought of losing her child, the autumn trees seem to echo her fear and blow in the wind.  The second character, the unemployed father, has a less-orderly world; he is unkempt, and his world has a lot more dirty elements in it: a homeless person, dirty sidewalks… the margins of the illustrations of his story are tattered.  The trees are bare, and the sky is grey and overcast.  The third person, the little boy, has a bit more of a colorful world than the man, but not nearly as “ideal” as his mother’s images (although almost as orderly/clean).  He isn’t nearly as happy about being alone as his mother is; in fact, he finds his life rather boring.  The fourth narrator, the little girl (Sludge) has a world full of color and lushness. 

3. Identify and explain the type of "interplay" between the written word and visual images on one of the pages in Voices In The Park.

Browne employs different fonts to enhance the feel of each narrator:  A more formal font is utilized for the haughty mother, while a darker, heavier font is used for the man.  A less formal but lighter font is used for the little boy, while a sloppy almost child-like font is employed for the girl.  These fonts seem to match the personalities of each narrator and enhances the interpretation/understanding of Browne’s characters.

 

4.  Identify the art movement or technique that is being used in Voices In The Park.

 

The art movement that Anthony Brown uses in Voices in the Park is surrealism.  As noted in Wikipedia, surrealism creates “illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself and/or an idea/concept.” Brown has achieved this in his illustrations.  

 
5. Conduct an Ideological Analysis and Structural Analysis of Voices In The Park. What is the message? Provide evidence from the images to support your opinion. Use the examples on pg 86, 87,89. I do not expect your analysis to be as indepth but I would like for you to make two or three insightful observations about the perspectives and social context conveyed through the books words and images.

Ideological: The two families in this book are quite different in terms of family types. Although the woman takes her young son to the park alone, one can easily imagine that she has a husband who provides, quite well, for her and her son; this portrays a typical traditional family of the time period.  The man and his daughter may come from either a single-parent home, or the mother may be working an afternoon/evening shift.  In either case, it is (considering the time period in which this book was written) not typical to see a father and child out playing at the park.  This conveys the idea that the father and daughter has a non-traditional family.  Although the mother and son portray gender norms, the father and daughter outing goes outside of these norms as the father undertakes a more motherly role.   

Structural: From the perspective of interpersonal metafunction, the characters are mainly positioned in a close range to the reader; the reader is up-close to the mother and the father, being pulled in as a part of their personal stories.  A number of the children’s illustrations are also close-up; however, many of the images involving the children are mid-point to further away, allowing the reader to relax and enjoy the youthful idea of being carefree and at play.  I believe that the close-up of the mother and father intensifies their seriousness about their respective lives: the mother and her reserved world, and the father with his plight to find work.  The compositional metafunction provides an idea of the two adult characters being removed from interaction; they do not stay close to other adults.  In contrast, the children play together (as do the dogs); this contributes to the idea that children are much less reserved and judgmental about other people that adults are. Whereas the mother keeps her distance (even from her own son – note the body position of them on the park bench) due to feeling superior to others – and the father keeps his distance from most (save for his daughter) due to insecurities and a feeling of somewhat hopelessness (he may be in his own world of despair and worry), the children come together and interact with no regard to class or social standing.

Browne uses his images to evoke meanings from readers’ own knowledge, culture, and experiences.  For example, the reader associates wealth and social standing of the woman and young boy from their grand home and their spotless clothing; in contrast, the man and his daughter appear to live in an apartment and are less formally dressed for their outing.

6. Embed a picture of the cover of Voices In The Park in your blog.

 

 

Citation:

Jones, J. (2009, June 10). The surreal brilliance of Anthony Browne's art. theguardian.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/books/jonathanjonesblog/2009/jun/10/anthony-browne-childrens-laureate

Serafini, F. (2014). Reading the visual: an introduction to teaching multimodal literacy. New York: Teachers Collage Press.

Surrealism. (2014, June 21). Wikipedia. Retrieved June 24, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrealism

"Voices in the Park". (n.d.). . Retrieved June 24, 2014, from http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIEZY6lTmEwAxg77w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTB2YW1mMWVvBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjE2MQRncG9zAzU-?p=voices+in+the+park&vid=cec1d6583bdec8775283a8b0234f1421&l=5%3A49&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608037326292058305%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dohs-7ue_wdM&tit=Voices+in+the+Park+by+Anthony+Browne&c=4&sigr=11a9qkkc4&sigt=114304s3q&age=0&fr=mcafee&tt=b

Image:

Browne, A. (2001).  Voices in the park. DK Publishing.  Retrieved 24 June 2014.   http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Park-DK-Publishing/dp/078948191X