Thinking about picture book forms

This week I have been so privileged to read the Master's Thesis of a friend entitled "Shapes and forms: Some recent uses of techniques in picture books". This thesis was written in 1990 but it is thrilling to see how many of her selected titles have really stood the test of time and I hope that nearly all of them are still available in your school library.  The thesis explores twenty forms - I won't list all of her choices here, but I have added a couple more of my own so I have a total of fourteen forms you could explore. The more I dip into this topic the more possibilities I have found such as stamping or using stamps (Jarrett and Jarome Pumphrey); dual functioning books (such as The Ribbon Le Ruban a book I long to own); clay sculpture illustrations such as Barbara Reid; photographic illustrations; narrative and illustrated nonfiction; and diorama constructions - try to find books illustrated by Soyeon Kim to see this form.

Here is a video of this book (in French)

I have listed the thesis picture book example first and then examples of my own. This thesis was originally given the title 'innovations in the picture book' but many of the forms/shapes listed are actually very old for example the popup book and the leporello. The book at the top of this post is a leporello! I do love that word (and form). So the thesis author changed her heading to Shapes and Forms.

I also need to think about where to place one of my most shared and most treasured but very obscure books:

1 is for One

1. Wordless

Up and Up by Shirley Hughes

Check out my Pinterest of Wordless Books (IBBY call them Silent books)

I have tons of favourites but I first thought of one special favourite, because it was the first wordless book I ever read, Sunshine by Jan Omerod. Thinking about more recent ones I would list Stormy by GuoJing and The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. If you haven't discovered Peter Collington try to find his books in a library. My own favourite is The Tooth Fairy.

2. Paper engineering (pop up and die-cut or laser cut)

Haunted House Jan Pienkowski

The die cutting process is a way to create unique shapes in material. It’s often used artistically on covers to cut windows into a book or on interior pages to create flaps, pop-up structures or interesting shapes.

The master of the popup is Robert Sabuda. His paper engineering will amaze you. An older book I marvel over with amazing die cut pages is The Story of Snowflake and Raindrop. This book also fits into the category of a flip over book. More recent examples of die cut pages are found in books by Britta Teckentrup for example her book A Happy Place. You might also look for books by Aaron Becker and Su Blackwell. I recently spied this edition based on Mary Poppins with die cut or laser cut illustrations.

Read more about Hélène Druvert here.

3. Lift the flap

Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

I stumbled on Mouse's Wood by Alice Melvin a couple of years ago and now I see there are sequels. I also love the bird books by Bridget Farmer which have the sturdiest flaps and incredible art. Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell illustrated by Emma Long made me gasp and you do need to add Who Lives here by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Rebecca Cobb to your collection. All of these books show that flaps are not just for our tiny reading companions but of course every little child does need to see and touch lots of books about Spot.

4. Flip over book (reversable)

Round Trip by Ann Jonas

I cannot cite many examples of these but I do love them. I always think of an old book - And then it Rained by Crescent Dragonwagon. Another example could be Mirror by Jeannie Baker. You don't flip this one over but readers see the action side by side in two different locations simultaneously.  An Australian example is Room on our Rock by Kate and Jol Temple. 

5. Stitching (using textiles)

The Shoemaker and the Elves stitching by C & W Birrer

I find books with illustrations made from embroidery or stitching or fabric patchwork very appealing. One UK illustrator to look for is Rachel Griffin. You could also look for The Whispering Cloth: a refugee's story by Pegi Deitz Shea and illustrated by Anita Riggio. I love the work by US textile artist Salley Mavor. I would love to own her book called My Bed. 

6. Letters in envelopes

The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg (and sequels)

I have so many book forms that I adore but I think the value-added of real letters inside envelopes is one I find the most delightful. AND I thank publishers who are willing to invest money into the production of these. Santa Post by Emma Yarlett; Maisy's Christmas Letters by Lucy Cousins; Letters from Felix: A Little Rabbit on a World Tour by Annette Langen; Meerkat Mail Emily Gravett; and of course The Jolly Christmas postman by Allan Ahlberg.

7. Collage

Where the forest meets the sea by Jeannie Baker

This is an enormous topic. My friend has a terrific Pinterest on this topic and I have one too of illustrators who use collage. Apart from our wonderful Australian illustrator Jeannie Baker,I love the work of Eric Carle; Ed Young; Robin Page; David Wisniewski and Susan L Roth. You may already have a new Australian picture book called Hope is the Thing. And there are so many other names such as Rachel Isadora; Melissa Sweet; Leo Lionni; Ezra Jack Keats; Lois Ehlert; Ellen Stoll Walsh. Another favourite Australian illustrator of mine is Patricia Mullins. I was also delighted to discover this book made with illustrations made from pebbles:

Stepping Stones

8. Reality (illustrations) versus fantasy (text) or illustrations show a fantasy which contrasts with reality.

Drac and the Gremlin by Allan Baillie illustrated by Jane Tanner

Another older example is Kirsty Knows Best illustrated by Anthony Browne. I also thought of Magic Beach by Alison Lester; A House for Wombats by Jane Burrell; Suri's wall by Lucy Estela illustrated by Matt Ottley and When You're Older by Sofie Laguna illustrated by Judy Watson. I recently discovered this old book: Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. There are sure to be lots more for this category. 

9. Page turner (anticipation and a guessing game)

I went walking by Sue Machin illustrated by Julie Vivas

Eyes in the Dark by Kim Dale; An animal guessing game by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page; Who's Next? Guess Who! by Anton Poitier illustrated by Sophia Touliatou; Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Sharon King-Chai; and for older readers a title from many years ago - Guess What? by Mem Fox illustrated by Vivienne Goodman. I also need to mention What's Inside: The alphabet book by Satoshi Kitamura and Brown Bear Brown bear by Bill Martin Jr illustrated by Eric Carle.

10. Participatory story 

We're going on a bear hunt by Michael Rosen illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Participation was always the focus of my early weeks with a new Kindergarten group. We read lots of books with a repeated refrain including We're going on a bear hunt; My Brown Bear Barney by Dorothy Butler illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller; There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof eating cake by Hazel Edwards illustrated by Deborah Niland; Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina; Peace at last by Jill Murphy; Owl Babies by Martin Waddell illustrated by Patrick Benson; and The Elephant and the bad baby by Elfrida Vipont illustrated by Raymond Briggs.

11. Leporello

I added this one to the list but I know the author of the thesis enjoys discovering these. You could add tunnel book to this category too. There is one of these inside The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg. I also have a book based on Can't you sleep little bear by Martin Waddell which you fold out and join into a circle or a carousel. 

Books that have accordion-style, or zig-zagged, pages are called leporellos (or concertinas). These books can be experienced in a few ways: readers can keep the book folded and turn the "pages," flipping the book at the end to experience the other side of the book; or they can completely unfold and expand the book to create one giant, linear narrative. Some leporellos are printed on the front and back, while others are one-sided. Let's Talk about Picture books (you can see examples)

Pages of Look by Gavin Bishop Gecko Press

12. Breaking the fourth wall and the off-stage narrator

This one is also my headings and I talk about this with lots of examples here. Look for Hide me, Kipper! by Mick Inkpen; Let’s Play! by Hervé Tullet; A Squiggly Line by Robert Vescio illustrated by Kathy Creamer; Fish and Crab by Marianna Coppo; Bear Hunt by Anthony Browne; The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston; Press Here Herve Tullet; and Escargot by Dashka Slater illustrated by Sydney Hanson. Another very curious example is Zoom by Istvan Banyai.

13. A catalogue book

Imagine by Alison Lester

I love this term catalogue book as used by the writer of this thesis. It is a perfect label for so many picture books that have no narrative but are filled with things to talk about. The big question by Leen van den Berg and illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire; Things to Look Forward to by Sophie Blackall; What to say when you don't know what to say by Davina Bell illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper (and sequels); The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown; Pablo Neruda Book of Questions illustrated by Paloma Valdivia translated by Sara Lissa Paulson; If I had a little dream by Nina Laden illustrated by Melissa Castrillon; and the most obvious example The Baby's Catalogue by Allan Ahlberg.

I need to mention two more titles for this catalogue book category:

Who is the world for?

Do you wonder?

14. Poetry with pictures

Read more here. 

A Life Song

Here is a quote from the final sentence of the thesis which inspired this post (I hope you have found it interesting and useful).

The book features explored in this thesis "support the proposition that the contemporary picture book is a subtle and skillful artform. Artists, authors, publishers and most importantly readers are increasingly aware of this fact. There can be no turning back."

Meet the Illustrator David Wisniewski

Publisher blurb: Parents are always spouting these rules. Do they really care about nutrients and mattresses, or are they hiding something? Luckily, one fearless grown-up will risk his neck and his dignity to find out. Disguised as everything from a chocolate milk scuba diver to a giant nose, this counterspy uncovers the disturbing truth. And what he learns will shock you like nothing before. ... Dangerous digit gangs! Powerful sumo cells! Those are just some of the secrets revealed in this book by Caldecott medalist David Wisniewski. But don′t let anyone catch you reading it-especially grown-ups. Who knows what could happen if they knew that you knew?

Until this week I had no idea there was a second book from this series. I loved sharing the first book The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups with teachers and students in my school library. This book is also perfect when classes are talking about persuasive language. Now I have seen David Wisniewski wrote a second book and that makes me smile.

The library I visit each week also has three other very different books illustrated using paper cutting by this US author/illustrator. Even though I had seen the first book above David Wisniewski is a new discovery. His sixth book Golem won the Caldecott Medal in 1997.

His first children's book was The Warrior and the Wise Man written in 1989 which I talk about in detail below. Sadly David Wisniewski died in 2002 aged only 49. He originally worked in a circus and then he and his wife formed a puppet theatre which toured schools. "Shadow puppetry was our speciality, wherein flat, jointed figures move against a screen illuminated with rear-projected scenery. Although I didn't know it at the time, shadow puppetry trained me to do picture books."

The wonderful thing about the library I visit is that clearly the Teacher-Librarian has had the time and the interest/passion to explore amazing illustrators such as David Wisniewski. As I said, my library had a copy of The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups but it never occurred to me to investigate the illustrator. Perhaps this was because back in 1998 I was not "Googling" every new book in the way I can now.

Here is a partial list of books by David Wisniewski:

• Elfwyn's Saga New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1990.
• Golem. New York: Clarion Books, 1996.
• Rain Player New York: Clarion Books, 1991.
• The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1998.
• Sumo Mouse San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002.
• Sundiata: Lion King of Mali New York: Clarion Books, 1992.
• Tough Cookie New York: Clarion Books, 1999.
• The Warrior and the Wise Man New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1989.
• The Wave of the Sea Wolf New York: Clarion Books, 1994.

Blurb: Sam Spade, move over! In his years on the force, Tough Cookie Busted the Ginger Snaps and broke up the Macaroons. Now living as a private eye at the bottom of the cookie jar, he learns that Fingers has gotten his old partner, Chips. With his best girl, Pecan Sandy, at his side, Tough Cookie sets out to put Fingers away, for keeps! This hilarious spoof will have readers rolling in the aisles.

From the library I borrowed The Warrior and the Wise man; Rain Player; and Sea Wolf. 

The Warrior and the Wise man is a Japanese folktale-style story. "When I had the idea for a story that would dramatise the contrast between two approaches to solving a problem, one relying on blind force and the other on reasoned action, I chose to set it in ancient Japan, a society that had clearly defined classes of warriors and wise men."

In this book we meet Tozaemon who is brave and fierce while his twin brother Toemon is thoughtful and gentle - the greatest wise man in the land. The emperor sets his sons a challenge to bring him the five eternal elements - fire, water, wind, earth and cloud. Tozaemon is like a bulldozer. He rampages through the land upsetting the demons while Toemon follows behind apologising and repairing. Each time he has to give away each of the elements  and so he arrives home almost empty handed but his brother Tozaemon has angered the demons and so they arrive with a huge army. Luckily the wisdom of Toemon saves the day and the Emperor learns an important lesson:

"Today I have learned a great truth ... Strength, though vital, must always be in the service of wisdom. For that reason, Toemon will become the next emperor of this land."

See inside this book here and also here.

Rain Player is a story from the Mayan civilisation. Fans of games like soccer and even quidditch.

"The favourite game of the Maya was pok-a-tok, a fast moving combination of present-day soccer and basketball, played with a sold rubber ball on a walled court. Opposing teams tried to send the ball through the stone rings above their heads. Hands and feet were not allowed to touch the ball; it had to bounce off padded hips, shoulders and forearms. The winning team was allowed to collect the jewellery and clothing of the spectators, who quickly ran away once the match was won. Losers received nothing, and sometimes lost their heads as well as the game." 

Chac, the Sun God hears Pik boasting and so he challenges him to a game of pok-a-tok. If Pik loses he will be turned into a frog. As a baby, Pik was given some special gifts - a planting stick, a ball, a jaguar tooth, a quetzal feather and water from a sacred cenote or well. Pik needs a team for the game so he visits the animals and places associated with his baby gifts. the story feels like a legend to explain drought and rain because when Pik wins the game he is taken up into the heavens by Chac and given an enormous gourd filled with water which he then pours over a thirsty world. 

This is the illustration of the quetzal. You can see inside this book and others on this Russian blog site.

The Night before Christmas by Clement Moore A pop-up by Robert Sabuda

Day Three
Christmas is the perfect time, of course, to revisit the famous poem that begins with the lines "T'was the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse."

There are so many delicious words and phrases in this poem - words/phrases I suspect you will only know if you have heard this poem, hopefully as a young child:

"visions of sugarplums"
"kerchief"
"threw up the sash"
"the moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow"
"luster of midday"
"more rapid than eagles his coursers they came"
"he looked like a peddler"
"His droll little mouth"
"away they all flew like the down of a thistle"


My copy of is presented in a pop-up book. We have two Christmas pop-ups by Robert Sabuda in our school library but because the contents are so fragile we only loan them to teachers. That is why I was very keen to own one for myself so that I could share with with visiting children and adults.

I am in awe of the paper engineering made by Robert Sabuda. Many years ago I even found a box with 26 pop-up Christmas cards. Over time I posted them to friends and I now have just two left.

Here is a page from The Night Before Christmas.

Here is a video where you can see all the pop-ups from this book in action.  On his web site Robert Sabuda generously shows you how to make many different pop-ups for yourself. This could be a fun holiday project for the whole family.

Read more about the invention of pop-up books here. They are not as new as you may have imagined. How does 1847 sound?

It would be interesting to show a group of children a number of illustrated versions of this classic poem and have a discussion about which they like the best. So many very famous illustrators have added their creativity to showcase this poem. Here are some you might like to look at including two famous Australian illustrators Bruce Whatley and Robert Ingpen.  Click each name to see their books: Arthur Rackham, Charles Santore, Christian Birmingham, Holly Hobbie, Jan Brett, Bruce Whatley, and Robert Ingpen. Also take a look at this video of Barbara Reid's work in plasticine.

Here is another Christmas pop-up by Robert Sabuda.

Just had to share this one too - The Night Before Christmas Little Golden book illustrated by Eloise Wilkin and published in 1955. It is one I need to keep an eye out for. I do like gentle soft focus illustrations of Eloise Wilkin.

Just for fun I also spied a brand new book the other day - The night before, the night before Christmas by Kes Gray. Finally we do have an Australian version illustrated by the very talented Kilmeny Niland.

The Little Crooked Christmas Tree by Michael Cutting illustrated by Ron Broda

Image source: https://www.foyles.co.uk/12-Books-of-Christmas

Over the next 12 days I plan to talk about one Christmas book each day - The 12 Books of Christmas.

I am beginning with a very old book - The Little Crooked Christmas Tree. I imagine this may have arrived in my school library in 1992 but I am sorry to say it had not read it until this week. Everything about this Christmas story is special. The fate of the little crooked Christmas tree, the kindness of the farmer who rescues the tree and most of all the fabulous paper cut illustrations.

"He was sure that he was a tree, but he didn't know what a Christmas tree was, or even what Christmas was."

The little tree waits patiently for seven years. Each year he asks visitors to the Christmas tree farm these two important questions. The goose doesn't know, she flies south for the winter. The squirrel doesn't know, he hibernates through the winter. Then an exhausted dove arrives. She has lost her nest and needs to lay her eggs. The little fur tree offers her softest branches and over time three baby doves arrive safely. The little tree forgets to stand tall and straight and as the weeks go by it develops a hump in its trunk.  This means when it is time for the farmer to harvest the trees, cutting them down to sell, the little tree is overlooked because it is too crooked. The seasons change and the dove and her babies need to fly away but before they leave the little tree asks those urgent questions once again.

The dove explains the Christmas story celebrating the birth of Jesus. She also explains that Christmas trees are cut down, decorated, admired but "then, when the holiday is over, the lights and ornaments are put away and the poor tree is thrown out, alone in the snow. By saving me and my children you have grown crooked, but now you are safe."

The cycle begins again. More trees are planted, seasons come and go and the tree becomes more and more neglected and lonely. Finally the dove returns and the summer begins. One day the farmer digs up the little tree and transports it to a real garden. The next Christmas is a truly special one for the little tree and no one seems to even notice the crooked hump anymore.

Here is a quote from a Canadian reviewer:
"The hump on the little tree allows first-time children's author Cutting to explore three equally important issues —the meaning of Christmas (and why a Christmas tree?), the recognition of each person's importance despite imperfec­tions (the little tree is snubbed by humans and fellow trees alike), and the ecological considerations of harvesting trees for a once-in-a-lifetime job! All three of these issues are dealt with in a subtle manner, accompanied by delight­ful photographs of the bright cut-paper illustrations ... "

Here is a film of the whole book narrated by Christopher Plummer.  I know I told you this is a very old book and of course it is out of print but it might still be found in your local or school library here in Australia and in Canada.

I would follow this book with another Christmas favourite which features a special tree - The Silver Christmas Tree by Pat Hutchins.

Lofty's Mission by Krista Bell illustrated by David Miller

Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia and I have been reading books to share with my classes. I have decided to focus on winners of the Dickin Medal and in particular pigeons.  We have two splendid books which look at the war service of pigeons.  Lofty's Mission and Flapper, VC.

There are extensive notes at the end of this book and I have now done a lot of reading.  The Dickin Medal began in 1943 and is named after Maria Dickin.  It has now been awarded 67 times to 32 pigeons, 31 dogs, 4 horses and one cat.  The cat was called Simon and you can read more here.

Taking a close look at the medal.

The PDSA Dickin Medal is a large, bronze medallion bearing the words “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” all within a laurel wreath. The ribbon is striped green, dark brown and sky blue representing water, earth and air to symbolise the naval, land and air forces.

Lofty's Mission begins with  the lines "No, Dad! Please don't take Lofty. I bred him to be a champion racer!' Tears trickled down Harley's cheeks."  Dad explains Lofty, or Number 371, is needed for war service in New Guinea. Lofty is taken to the jungle and given training. He is wounded but safely delivers his message across the battle lines.  Meanwhile little Harley contracts polio.  One day a parcel arrives containing the Dickin Medal.  Lofty is a hero. The ending of the book is so joyous as Lofty returns to his family in Australia and we see his son Nifty take flight.

Lofty's Mission has amazing paper sculpture illustrations by the talented David Miller.

Flapper, VC also explores the story of a brave Pigeon.

"Flapper, VC was inspired by the true story of Australian carrier pigeon D D43 Q879, who was awarded the Dickin Medal for 'Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty'. It is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery."

Here are the teachers notes for Flapper, VC and Lofty's Mission.  You might also enjoy the movie Valiant.