Reading Response: Picture Books

Introduction

Welcome to my BookTalk! This is the first of many posts where I will be conducting reading responses on various children's literature. This week I will focusing on evaluating five children picture books. I will be examining the quality of each text with supporting evidence. I hope you enjoy reading my analyses!

Amira's Picture Day

Faruqi, Reem. Amira’s Picture Day. Illustrated by Fahmida Azim. Holiday House, 2021. 40 pages. Tr. $9.99, ISBN 978-0823440191

In this colorful tale, Amira is celebrating Eid with her family and getting goody bags ready for children at the masjid. There is only one problem, she will be missing picture day at school. Amira's Picture Day has a colorful collection of images that reflect the mood of the story. There is variety in the cultural references depicted in the text with images that bring the words to life. The bright images and color patterns does a good job in representing and conveying the cultural references being presented to the reader. The vibrant pictures highlight the body language and emotions of the main protagonist, Amira. Through the power of illustration we see Amira's feelings and movements mirror the color pallet and images.

If you look at the image from the text above, we can see through Amira's facial expressions and the deflated balloon, that she is sad and "felt like one of those balloons". The artist, Fahmida Azim was able to effectively use color to put emphasis on the image and not let the text take away from the illustration. Azim provided strident hues and texture to multiple images throughout the text. Throughout the book, the text stays constant in its color and size, thus bringing light onto the images. In the last page of the book we can see the use of texture and shadowing in Amira's image. This gives her presence prominence, while her classmates are more indistinguishable. This is a reflection of the meticulous thought put into the design of the pictures. 

Verdict: Amira's Picture Day has vibrant images that add to the characters emotions and storyline. Although the text that accompanies each page does not take away from the images, there could have been more dimension in its presentation. Overall this is a picture book that readers ages four to eight will enjoy!  

Watercress 

Wang, Andrea. Watercress. Illustrated by Jason Chin. Penguin Distribution Childrens, 2021. 32 pages. Tr $11.29, ISBN 978-0823446247

Watercress uses stoic imagery to tell us a story of about how memories, even painful ones can be powerful. The illustration in this text is not powerfully vibrant or colorful but equally strong. Jason Ching is able to productively match the color pallet to the story with ease. As we see images that provide the viewer with an almost historic perception. The artist uses watercolors to reflect the emotions of the characters and accompanying text. As we come to understand the importance of sharing memories, even the painful ones, we see through the details of the pictures change as the story progresses. 

   

The image on the upper left uses a moody and dark color scheme that compliments the text. We see the utilization of emotions through color in this example. The story tells us of a loss and Chin was able to not only match the color scheme to sadness but include the addition of rain to reflect tears. The text and illustration on the image on the left does a great job in allowing the reader to fill in the missing information. With the text stating "but it was still not enough" and the image showing the boy missing from his spot at the table, we are able to imagine what happened. This is a true example of what the power of illustration and relevant text can accomplish. The image on the right is much more colorful and blaring when compared to the left. Chin uses the power of a meaningful color scheme to add an element of the story that shift when the characters emotions evolve. 

Verdict: The use of a palpable color scheme accompanies Watercress beautifully. It may not be the most strident example of colors but its detail to emotions and story progression is unmatched. Readers aged six and up will appreciate this story on the importance of memories and family.

Between Us and Abuela

A Family Story from the Border

Perkins, Mitali. Between us and Abuela : A Family Story from the Border. Illustrated by Sara Palacios. Farrar Straus Giroux Books For Young Readers, 2019. 40 pages. Tr. $11.70, ISBN 978-1250895318

In Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border, the illustrations deepens the story by providing various details that showcase families separated by the border. The family represented in the book are Mexican and tell us about La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders). As one family travels to see their grandmother (Abuela), we are able to see hope in the color theme of calm yellows and blues. In Perkins writing she is able to use color in text to further highlight the importance of words to the story we see in the images. She does this by making relevant words bold and a different color from the primary text. This choice allows the text to extend the images by complimenting key words to highlight the message presented. 

As you can see from the image above that the family from the text have smiles on their faces, despite the fact that there is a fence separating them. The artist is able to take a moment that may be sad and turn it into a cheerful moment of reunion. She does this effectively by completely reversing a sad topic through color and expression. The choice of using lines and texture throughout, give the images an almost childish sense. The texture and vertical lines of the drawing add interest to the subjects and give sense of quality as though you can touch the image and feel crayon on your fingertips. Pictures tend to reflect the mood of the story, and this image does that by highlighting the element of hope in separation. By using hues of bright yellow for the beach and bright colors for the family's clothes, we can see that hope and love is what is being conveyed. 

Verdict: This book is a great pick for children aged four and up going through something similar. It allows there to be representation on issues of immigration and border control. An issue that effect many today. 

The Talk

Williams, A. D. The Talk. Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. Simon and Schuster, 2022. 40 pages Tr. $15.99, ISBN 978-1534495296

The Talk uses a vast variety of color to tell us a story of growing up as a Black boy in America and having a talk that is too familiar for many. Mukodiri is able to use dimensions of color and texture to display the different emotions that we see the characters go through. As the protagonist, Jay grows up wanting to have fun, we see images of a happy boy that are complimented by the lines and hues of brilliant colors within the illustrations. The cross contour lines give strength to the story by displaying definition to the subjects. This allows the reader to center on what is being defined to emphasize the purpose of the text. The illustrations avoid stereotypes and rely on realty to advocate for a real-life issue. 

This story mainly focuses on Jay's joy in being with his family, friends and just being himself. The pictures highlights yellows behind the subject to further support Jay's viewpoint of happiness. As the artist has Jay transition from childhood and boyhood we see him mature and shift in looks and height. This visual representation along with the text allow the reader to see that what should be an exciting time is actually sad. What was looked at as innocence has changed because Jay has changed, therefore the world views him differently. Let us take a look at the image above which is vastly different than what we see throughout the book. This image represents "the talk" his family has with Jay. We can see the change from bright colors to dark hues and images that represent racism and discrimination. These two pages are the only ones in the book that do not insert text. This illustration and its use of colors, hues, lines and shade tell a story of a sensitive topic that needs no text to get its message across. The illustrations and text work together and compliment each other in creating a realistic story. 

Verdict: The Talk is told in an age-appropriate way that allows for grades Kindergarten and above to have exposure to a sensitive real-life issue. 

Pokko and the Drum

Forsythe, M. Pokko and the Drum. Illustrated by Matthew Forsythe. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, An Imprint Of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2019. ‌64 pages. Tr. $12.39, ISBN 978-1481480390 

 

Pokko and the Drum tells a tale of contentment in music from a frog who just wants to play her drum in the quiet forest. Forsythe makes an interesting choice in alternating his color styles from page to page. He uses textures and lines to add dimension to the characters yet in some pages adds watercolors to the background that strangely do not take away from the characters. This choice seems to reflect the mood of the story and highlight the main focus by using simplicity. 

One example of the drastic change style made by Forsythe is the two images above. In the left image we have a wolf that is originally black with various line details in the background and dark hues. The image on the right is of the same wolf but very different. The style changes to basic lines and dimensions with no drastic imagery or background. As simplistic as it may seem, the changes in style conveys the mood of the wolf and compliments the textual statement. The colors and change in style extend the text and flatter the silliness of the story. The plot is original in its approach to tell us about persistence and the art of music. 

Verdict: Through all the changes in texture, hues, color pallets and details, there is no doubt that this book reflects the mood of the story and would be thoroughly enjoyed by young readers aged four and above.

References 

Forsythe, M. (2019). Pokko and the drum. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, An Imprint Of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ‌

Mitali Perkins, & Palacios, S. (2019). Between us and Abuela : a family story from the border. Farrar Straus Giroux Books For Young Readers.

Reem Faruqi, & Fahmida Azim. (2021). Amira’s picture day. Holiday House. 

Wang, A. (2021). Watercress. Penguin Distribution Childrens. ‌ 

Williams, A. D. (2022). The Talk. Simon and Schuster.