Searching the net : What makes a great picture book
8 The Society of Children ’ s Books & Illustration Lovers – Newsletter # 1 – August 2013
Searching the net : What makes a great picture book
The following is a very interesting ( and lengthy !) article about what makes a great picture book according to the answers of various children ’ s books publishers and authors . I have edited the full version here so we can discuss the different points they make during our meeting . What do you think ?
From : http :// marilynsinger . net / first / goodpicturebook . htm
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Remember what it ’ s like to see spring for the first time ? To get your first grown-up bed ? To run in the park , on the beach , along the Brooklyn Promenade , and never want to slow down ?? To find sneezes hilarious and wrapping paper the best toy in the world ?
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To write a good young picture book , you not only have to remember these things , you have to relive them . You have to write with all the skill of an adult who understands words , rhythm , rhyme , character , and story and all the heart and soul of a child who understands joy , anger , sorrow , and wonder in their purest form . It ’ s the wedding of our present and past selves that allows us to write a good young picture book . Then the illustrator completes the picture in every sense of the word .
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A fabulous young picture book should be the perfect combination of simple , yet fetching art , and lively , memorable text . A young picture book must be MEANT to be read aloud--full of delicious words and phrases that will roll off the tongue and beg to be repeated by the young listener . Repetition , alliteration , rhyme , and animal sounds might all contribute . Best of all , if the book speaks , in some way , to the littlest reader ' s experience , it will be a favorite !
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A book for the very young should have words that swing and pictures that grab the eye . There should be enough in it that is familiar , to offer comfort , and enough that is new , to spark interest and create a sense of adventure .
8 http :// www . meetup . com / The-Society-of-Childrens-books-and-illustration-lovers /