Showing posts with label Why Picture Books Are Important. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Why Picture Books Are Important. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
The Picture Book as an Art Form
During the press launch of Room to Read's Kuwentong Musmos at the Museo Pambata, someone from DepEd raised a concern regarding "unrealistic" drawings in children's books and if this is appropriate for children. The host of the launch, Robert Alejandro, called on Liza Flores to answer the question.
I remember Liza saying that she keeps in mind the audience she is illustrating for, in this case, the children who will read the books. It is innate in children to imagine, to play and to wonder. Unrealistic drawings are therefore allowed in children's books.
A few days after, on Facebook -- because everyone involved in the project was still in cloud nine, Liza replied to Joanna Nicolas-Na's photo of her where she was replying to Madame DepEd's question. This was her reply:
This is my take. A picture book is an art form. As a form of art, it follows a function. The purpose of a picture book is for children to enjoy it. For aesthetics. For beauty. For all that is good in this world. For a child who cannot visit a museum or an art gallery, the picture book is an art experience. And sometimes, a picture book can be more than a gallery or a room full of paintings. As Eric Ode said in his essay, Why Picture Books Are Important "Picture book illustration styles run the gamut, representing as much diversity as the art found in any national gallery or museum. But whether elaborately detailed and richly colored or spare with a bare-bones pallet, a picture book’s illustrations want to be explored and enjoyed up-close and with others. They are waiting to be pored over, puzzled over, and pointed at, page turn by page turn."
So, as an author, I like it that Tere, our character in Masaya Maging Ako has yellow skin. It is the happy kind of yellow, like sunlight in the early morning. I do not mind at all if her limbs and legs are long and curving. She loves movement and the long and curved lines suggest grace. I love the purplish mauve color of our book's cover because this implies power and daring. Tere is a kid who was bullied. It was the quiet and sneaky kind of verbal bullying. Jamie Bauza's illustrations explicitly showed that aspect of bullying through size, shape and color. Furthermore, she allowed Tere to shine in her own unique way.
See what unrealistic drawings can do?
Now, I wonder what kids will say or how kids will respond to our book. That is another story!
I remember Liza saying that she keeps in mind the audience she is illustrating for, in this case, the children who will read the books. It is innate in children to imagine, to play and to wonder. Unrealistic drawings are therefore allowed in children's books.
A few days after, on Facebook -- because everyone involved in the project was still in cloud nine, Liza replied to Joanna Nicolas-Na's photo of her where she was replying to Madame DepEd's question. This was her reply:
May mga akda na mahalaga maging acurate at realistic ang pag guhit. Pero hindi mali ang hindi realistic na drawing. May mga kuwento na binabagayan ng ibang estilo. Minsan mas epektibo nitong naikukuwento ang kuwento. Mahalaga din ma-expose ang mga bata sa iba't ibang klaseng guhit o art. This is how they discover what they like and don't like, and develop their own taste.
There are works that need accurate and realistic drawings and interpretations. But it is not wrong to make unrealistic drawings. There are stories that need to be drawn and rendered using a style of art that is different from the conventional. Most often, this is more effective in the visual storytelling or narrative flow. It is also important for children to be exposed to different art forms (through books). This is how they discover what they like and don't like, and develop their own taste.Many replied to her. It made for an interesting discussion.
This is my take. A picture book is an art form. As a form of art, it follows a function. The purpose of a picture book is for children to enjoy it. For aesthetics. For beauty. For all that is good in this world. For a child who cannot visit a museum or an art gallery, the picture book is an art experience. And sometimes, a picture book can be more than a gallery or a room full of paintings. As Eric Ode said in his essay, Why Picture Books Are Important "Picture book illustration styles run the gamut, representing as much diversity as the art found in any national gallery or museum. But whether elaborately detailed and richly colored or spare with a bare-bones pallet, a picture book’s illustrations want to be explored and enjoyed up-close and with others. They are waiting to be pored over, puzzled over, and pointed at, page turn by page turn."
So, as an author, I like it that Tere, our character in Masaya Maging Ako has yellow skin. It is the happy kind of yellow, like sunlight in the early morning. I do not mind at all if her limbs and legs are long and curving. She loves movement and the long and curved lines suggest grace. I love the purplish mauve color of our book's cover because this implies power and daring. Tere is a kid who was bullied. It was the quiet and sneaky kind of verbal bullying. Jamie Bauza's illustrations explicitly showed that aspect of bullying through size, shape and color. Furthermore, she allowed Tere to shine in her own unique way.
See what unrealistic drawings can do?
Now, I wonder what kids will say or how kids will respond to our book. That is another story!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
The 2016 Picture Book Month is On!
Head on to the website of Picture Book Month and read the post for the day. Today's featured author is Carmen Oliver. Read her essay on Why Picture Books Are Important and learn about her published books. You will also find a Literacy Activity to the theme of the day, which is on bears, recommended books to fill up your classroom library, your personal book collection, or your picture book collection in the school library, and links to the Teacher's Guide on using picture books in the classroom across subject areas.
There is also 2016 Picture Book Month Calendar (in colored and B&W) that can be downloaded for free!
Being a Picture Book Month Champion in 2013, I remain an ambassador of this awesome campaign on books, reading and literacy development through picture books!
For old time's sake, click this link to read my essay on the importance of picture books. I am not the lone Filipino in the roster of champions. Sergio Bumatay III was a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion. His illustration of Tight Times (Patindol, Adarna House 2012) was featured as well.
So, he believes that -
Picture books are important simply because they open the door of imagination. My love for books and art as a grown-up probably blossomed from the wonderful books when I was young. There is truth in saying that books are magical and that they can bring us anywhere we can imagine, no matter how cliché the statement seems. Picture books offer fun and adventure in ways that no toys nor gadgets can. Like works of art, they replenish our souls. Great picture books always stay in our memories.On November 19, our very own, Isabel "Pepper" Roxas will tell us why this industry of books and magic making is very much important in the lives of children age 0 to 92!
November is Picture Book Month! It is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November. Founder, Dianne de Las Casas (author & storyteller) www.diannedelascasas.com, and Co-Founders, Katie Davis (author/illustrator) katiedavis.com, Elizabeth O. Dulemba (author/illustrator) www.dulemba.com, Tara Lazar (author) taralazar.
Read*Share*Celebrate!
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Throwback Thursday: National Picture Book Month Champion
Read the full article by visiting the link to the National Picture Book Month website.
National Picture Book Month continues to make waves because the picture book featured every day is not only beautiful but also lovingly made for the child reader. Librarians can get a lot of insightful articles and valuable information from authors of the featured picture books. Included in each article are common core standards (US) and activities compatible to the curriculum. Nonetheless, school librarians from all over the world will also benefit from this literacy initiative.
Reading is a right! Books are for all!
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