I first discovered the art of Frann Preston-Gannon in the scrumptious book I am the Seed that Grew the Tree - a nature poem for every day of the year. When I saw this picture book - Bird's eye view - I was sure it would be equally wonderful - and yes it is!
Beginning with the front end paper - you will see an actual bird's eye view which links perfectly with the title. Turning to the title page you will see an egg in a nest - it is about to hatch. Then turn into the story, some time has passed and now Little Bird asks an important question about the world she can see the nest:
"What is beyond the treetops?' she asked her mama. 'Well child ... ' Mama said. 'People live there. My own mother told me to stay away from them and so I did.' 'But what are people?' asked Little Bird. Mama didn't know."
Little Bird is curious and so one day she sets off to see the world. What will she see? Who will she meet? Can she make sense of the activities of the people she spies from above?
Bird's Eye View is a book you should share with older students when you are discussing book design and the best way to illustrate a book. This book would also be ideal for new illustrators as a way to explore noting Frann's use of colour; whole page illustrations; full spread illustrations; small framed illustrations; perfectly paced page turns; text placement; and use of white space. I was not surprised to discover in 2011 Frann became the first UK recipient of the 'Sendak Fellowship' and spent a month living with and learning from, Maurice Sendak. Take a look here to see inside this book. You could also use this book as a part of a mapping unit with younger students.
I would pair this book with:
No comments:
Post a Comment