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TTHEHE B BEAUTY OF EAUTY OF PPICTURE ICTURE BBOOKSOOKS

Ontario Library Association Education Institute 2005Ontario Library Association Education Institute 2005Sya VanGeestSya VanGeest

ANALYZE THE BEST

AND

CREATE YOUR OWN

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A WriterA Writer by M.B. Goffstein by M.B. Goffstein. . New York: Harper & Row, 1984.New York: Harper & Row, 1984.

A writer sits on her couch holding an idea, until it’s

time to set words upon paper, to cut, prune, plan and

shape them.

She is a gardener, never sure of her ground,

or which seeds are rooting there.

She has grown flowers, weeds, a slender tree.

Now she dreams of pansies and heart’s-ease.

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A WriterA Writer by M.B. Goffstein by M.B. Goffstein. . New York: Harper & Row, 1984.New York: Harper & Row, 1984.

At first daylight, she sees two small green leaves

close to the soil.

If a rabbit eats them, she not mad at him.

She knows more will grow, for a writer always

studies, looks, and listens.

Thoughts that open in her heart, and weather

every mood and change of mind,

she will care for.

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A WriterA Writer by M.B. Goffstein by M.B. Goffstein. . New York: Harper & Row, 1984.New York: Harper & Row, 1984.

She’s only one of many writers, working alone

at her desk, hoping her books will spread the

seeds of ideas.

Su

gar Bu

sh b

y Pearl V

an G

eest

OLA Teaching Materials 5

WhatWhat makesmakes aa goodgood picturepicture book book ??

• Tells a good story

• Uses beautiful language

• It’s accurate in time & place

• Shapes real characters

• It is engaging

• Touches the heart

• Stimulates thought

• It’s appropriate for children

• Stirs the imagination

• Pictures enrich the text

• Energized by strong words

• Explores eternal verities

• It is inviting

• It is fun

• It is free from errors

• Tells a dual story – in text and pictures

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How do I begin?How do I begin?

ReadRead and studystudy manymany picture books

Study award-winning booksBlue Spruce Award Caldecott Governor General’s Award First Choice

Examine their characteristic and qualities

What is greatgreat about these books? The wonder of the story?The beauty of the words? The power of the art? The enticement of the packaging?

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Focus On Your Own CreationFocus On Your Own Creation

Think and talkThink and talk picture books

• discuss ideasideas with others

- family, friends, teachers, teacher-librarian

Be inspiredinspired by picture books you read

RecordRecord possible story and art ideas

• Start a ‘fridge list’

• Add ideas as you think of them

Let ideas percolatepercolate in your mind

OLA Teaching Materials 8

Share Picture Books With ChildrenShare Picture Books With Children

ReadRead aloud to children TalkTalk about the books

Notice children's responsesNotice children's responses o What did they like?

o In what way did it engage their emotions?

o How did it stimulate discussion?

o How did the pictures contribute to the story ?

RecordRecord ideas for your own book

OLA Teaching Materials 9

Practice Good Time Practice Good Time ManagementManagement

• Break the process into partsBreak the process into parts

• Set due dates for each stageSet due dates for each stage

• Use class time productivelyUse class time productively

• Schedule regular homeworkSchedule regular homework

• Meet all due datesMeet all due dates

• Read picture books at every opportunityRead picture books at every opportunity

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A SA STEP-BY-TEP-BY-SSTEP TEP PPROCESSROCESS•

Divided into sixsix parts– Record due dates for each part?– How will each part will be assessed and evaluated?

FIRST:FIRST: AnalyzeAnalyze qualities of good picture books

SECOND:SECOND: PlanPlan proposal proposal for your own creation

THIRD:THIRD: WriteWrite first draftdraft of your story

FOURTH:FOURTH: ConstructConstruct storyboardstoryboardFIFTH:FIFTH: CreateCreate final final good copy

SIXTH:SIXTH: PresentPresent to a children’s audience

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SSTEP 1:TEP 1: How to How to AnalyzeAnalyze Picture Books Picture Books

Study the Packaging”, Art and StoryStudy the Packaging”, Art and Story

Complete the Analysis sheets

• Packaging, Art, StoryPackaging, Art, Story

Focus as you analyze

• Study award winners

How will you be marked?

• What are the criteria?

Hand in Your Analysis sheets

Due date: ______________

1. Analyze Packaging, Art, StoryPackaging, Art, Story

2. Study six different picture books for

each focus (‘Packaging’, Art, Story)

3. Write about two different books for

each

Use jot notes or sketches

4.4. Be objectiveBe objective

5. Be alert for ideas for your own book

Record ideas for your own book

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SSTEP TEP 11aa ~ ~Analyze “PackagingAnalyze “Packaging””

Explore the following parts of books

Covers:Covers:: -attractiveness, appeal, front/back pictures, wrap-around

Title/authorTitle/author::- lettering, appeal, size, font, background.

Title PageTitle Page:: - layout, dedication, lettering, illustration

AuthorAuthor:: - biographical information, authority, awards

IllustratorIllustrator:: - biographical information, authority, awards

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““PackagingPackaging” of Picture Books” of Picture BooksThe book I selected to analyze

• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

How was this book ‘packaged’? What did you see? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The book I selected to analyze• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

How was this book ‘packaged’? What did you see? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Record “Packaging” ideas you mightmight use for your own picture book

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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SSTEP 1TEP 1bb ~ ~ Analyzing ArtAnalyzing ArtSSTEP 1TEP 1bb ~ ~ Analyzing ArtAnalyzing Art

Study the following aspects about art in picture booksStudy the following aspects about art in picture books

Story in picturesStory in pictures: - reflection of script: addition/deletion/duplicate

CharacteristicsCharacteristics: - humour, active, noisy, inviting, peaceful

Design rhythmDesign rhythm: - flow, cohesion, continuity

Colour, line, shape, textureColour, line, shape, texture: e.g., black & white or bold colours

StyleStyle: - woodcuts, collage, photography, cartoon, plasticine water colour, pencil crayon, air brush, mixed media

Unique featuresUnique features: - e.g., transition from reality to other dimension

Special qualitySpecial quality: - enriches text, adds a character, captures mood

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SSTEP 1TEP 1bb:: ArtArt in in Picture BooksPicture BooksThe book I selected to analyze

• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

What did you see as you studied the art? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The book I selected to analyze• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

What did you see as you studied the art? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Art ideas for my own picture book

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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SSTEP 1TEP 1cc ~ ~Analyzing the Story Analyzing the Story Explore the following aspectsExplore the following aspects

1. 1. SettingSetting ~ Where does the book take us? - What is the time and place? How do you know?

- Does it seem historically and geographically correct? (dress, homes, events

- Does the author/illustrator give life to the setting? How?

2. 2. CharactersCharacters ~ What character(s) does the author create? - Whose voice is created to unfold the story?

- Are the character(s) well developed, consistent, believable?

- How are the characters revealed?

. by thought, words, action,what others say, direct information by the author

3. 3. PlotPlot ~ What story does the book tell? - What are the building blocks? (the beginning, middle, end)

- What is the main event, the supporting details?

- What is the conflict? (people vs people / nature /internal struggle)

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SSTEP 1TEP 1cc ~ ~ Analyzing the Story Analyzing the Story Explore the Explore the following:following:

4. 4. ThemeTheme ~ What are the themes? Are they important?- Examples: friendship, fair play, justice, courage, love, family, kindness?

- Is the author’s point-of-view based on factual information?

. shows a knowledge of the time, place, culture, people, children

- How does the theme impact on the plot and characters?

- Does the theme ‘speak’ to us? … make us think? … speak to children?

5. 5. Writer’s CraftWriter’s Craft ~ What are examples of excellence ?- Does the author use beautiful figurative language?

. creates pictures in your mind

. there’s power and emotive strength in the images

- How does the author stir the imagination?

- What strategies does the author use to craft the story?

. first person narrative,

. methods of creating suspense

. use strong verbs

- Is there meaning and power to dialogue?

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SSTEP 1TEP 1cc The Story in The Story in Picture Picture BooksBooks

Book I analyzed• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

Describe some special features of the story. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Book I analyzed• Author: ___________________________

• Illustrator: ___________________________

• Title: ___________________________

• Publisher: _____________ Date: ________

Describe some special features of the story. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Record story ideas for your own story

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OLA Teaching Materials 19

Use the Story ProposalStory Proposal organizer• TAKE US SOME PLACE ! (SSETTINGETTING)

• What time and place do you plan to re-create?

• TELL A STORY! (PPLOTLOT)• What will happen in your story?

• INTRODUCE THE CCHARACTERSHARACTERS!• What characters will you create to tell your story? • Would we know your character(s) if we met them?

Hand in Proposal organizer. Due date: ______________

SSTEP 2:TEP 2: PPLANLAN Y YOUROUR P PICTUREICTURE B BOOKOOK

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SSTEP 2TEP 2aa: : Story ProposalStory Proposal Plot summaryPlot summary What will happen in your story? What is the beginning, middle, end?

CharactersCharacters Introduce your characters. Describe them, e.g., outward and inner qualities

SettingSetting Take us someplace! In what time and place will your story be set?

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PPERSONALITYERSONALITY DDESCRIPTORSESCRIPTORS

Anxious

Bitter

Broad-minded

Capable Genuine

Vital

Dependable

Sensitive

Uninhibited

Stubborn

Impatient

Timid Lonely

Courageous

Generous Domineerin

g Hypocritical

Cowardly

Loving

Witty

Proud

Gloomy

Sarcastic Calculating

Tiresome

Sophisticated

Consistent

Quiet

Cautious Concerned

Unpredictable

Moody

Outgoing

Spontaneous Eccentric

Ill-tempered

Vulnerable Capable

Helpful

Vain

Boastful

Enthusiastic Considerate

Polite

Irrepressible

Superficial

Superficial

Excitable

Obnoxious Scatterbrained

Friendly Shy

Romantic

Impatient

Insecure

Distant

Aloof

Outrageous

Intelligent

Nervous Sensitive

Sneaky

Vague

Gentle

Confident

Sly

Insistent

Cheerful

Energetic

Conscientious

Relaxed Disorganized

Virtuous

Open

Patient

Kind

Honest

Fun-loving

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SSTEPTEP 3 ~ 3 ~ WWRITE RITE YYOUR OUR FFIRST IRST DDRAFTRAFT

• Build and test your story– Repeat your story in your head many times

– Play with your story ~ have fun with your story• Is it interesting, alive, exciting, accurate, …?

• Research for accuracy– What do you need to know to take us to a time and place?

• To create your setting: architecture, customs, landscape, food

• To create your characters: their feelings, their actions, their relationships/families

• To create your plot: actions with historical and cultural accuracy

• Use the power of strong, descriptive words– Keep a thesaurus handy

– Play around with different words and phrases

OLA Teaching Materials 23

SSTEPTEP 3 ~ 3 ~ WWRITE RITE YYOUR OUR FFIRST IRST DDRAFTRAFT

• Tell your story to many people– Tell your story to children, if possible

• Note the strengths

• Shape and modify as needed

• Keyboard your first draft– Save as Draft 1

– Make additional copies as you revise and edit

• Use peer, self, and teacher editing of your draft– Be open to their suggestions

Hand in First Draft. Due date: __________________

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SSTEP TEP 4: 4: CCREATE REATE YYOUR OUR SSTORYBOARDTORYBOARD• PlanPlan the layout of your book

– Use the Storyboard organizer – Make thumbnail sketches from front to back cover– Show the placement of your text and pictures

• FollowFollow the FINAL COPYFINAL COPY checklist

• SketchSketch your story– Strive for variety: close-up, long shots, double page spreads, bird's-eye view– Revisit picture books for ideas and inspiration– Discuss illustration ideas, especially if you are not a confident illustrator– Examine options

• WriteWrite your Author’s Notes, as required• AttachAttach a second draft to your storyboard

Hand in Storyboard and 2nd draft. Due date: ________

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SSTORYBOARDTORYBOARDFront Cover Inside Cover Title Page Publishing Data (e.g., company,

copyrightDedication Page

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18

Page 19 Page 20 Author's Notes Autobiography / Photo Back Cover

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FFINALINAL CCOPYOPY CCHECKLISTHECKLIST

CCOVEROVER Front and back cover Front cover has name of book and your name as author/illustrator

TTITLE ITLE PPAGEAGE Has name of book and your name as author/illustrator Has name of Publishing Company at bottom (make one up)

VVERSAL ERSAL SSIDE OF IDE OF TTITLE ITLE PPAGEAGE Has copyright date Has name of Publishing Company Has name of place where printed Has the words: all rights reserved

DDEDICATION EDICATION PPAGEAGE Has a dedication of your choice (e.g., to a special friend, relative, cause, teacher)

OLA Teaching Materials 27

FFINALINAL CCOPYOPY CCHECKLIST HECKLIST cont’dcont’d

BBODY ~ ODY ~ TTEXT AND EXT AND PPICTURESICTURES Use computer to word process (take advantage of free tutoring) Consider keeping main character drawing ‘simple’

- You’ll have to draw them many times

EEND ND NNOTESOTES Has one-page author's notes (e.g., historical notes, background)

IINSIDE NSIDE BBACK ACK CCOVEROVER Has a photograph of yourself (e.g., printed digital image, glued photo)

Has autobiography placed under picture- Play the role of your Publisher who wants to promote you and maximize

your good qualities- Be complimentary - Be truthful

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MMARKING ARKING RRECORDECORD

Weight Due Date Level Comments

Analysis Logs Analysis Logs 15%

Proposal SheetProposal Sheet 10%

Story DraftStory Draft 10%

Storyboard Storyboard 10%

Final Copy Final Copy 40%

PresentationPresentation 10%

Bonus optionBonus option 5%