Picture Book Picnic

The month of June brings the much awaited perfect days for summer picnics. According to the dictionary, one definition of a "picnic" is where food is packed up and then shared in an outdoor location while another definition states that it is an enjoyable or pleasant experience. This year the enjoyable, pleasant experience of a summer picnic is learning more about picture books.

So, in this June column we offer you an enjoyable and pleasant learning experience connected to picture book information available on the web. And, there are no ants at this picnic. Have fun!

General information about Picture Books

Art in Children's Books

http://www.cas.usf.edu/lis/lis6585/ class/art.html

This page was prepared for a university class on children's literature. It provides a good overview of information about the illustrations in children's books. The page uses particular examples to look at the elements of design and various artistic styles in picture books. The page was prepared by Dr. Marilyn H. Stauffer.

Picturing Books: A Website about Picturebooks

http://picturingbooks. imaginarylands.org/

This website, created by Denise I. Matulka, includes using picture books, resources, just for kids, palette (information about the art in picture books), and additional links. This is one of the best websites to begin learning about picture books.

Review and Critique of Children's Books

Notes for the Analysis of a Picture Book

http://www.scils.rutgers. edu/~kvander/Syllabus/ pictureanalysis.html

This page begins with a variety of helpful points for looking critically at a children's picture book. A list of questions in the middle of the page provides the reviewer with eight steps for a close analysis of a picture book.

Picture Books with Text and Picture Inconsistencies

http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/ ~kvander/ChildrenLit/ Picturelnconsistencies.htm

Creators of this site point out various purposeful or accidental inconsistencies in both the written text and the illustrations in picture books. A variety of different types of inconsistencies are covered.

Awards for Picture Book Illustration

Caldecott Medal Homepage

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/ awardsscholarships/literaryawds/ caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm

The Caldecott Medal for picture book illustration is perhaps the most well-known children's literature award in the world. It is named in honor of the 19th-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The award is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The 2007 Caldecott Medal was awarded to David Weisner s...