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01/13/2011 06:33:13 PM · #1 |
Hi all.
I thought i might canvass some opinions on what makes a good children's book. I'm just starting to write and illustrate one, using mostly photography and manipulation, and i'm keen to hear people's thoughts. I'm looking at the early-under 6 kind of age group really, but, of course, me being me, it will be quite dark-ish. Hopefully still fun and uplifting though! It has a bit of a Lovecraft inspiration to it (google the guy if you don't know him) but i think a toddler aimed book could be cool. It's just for fun of course. I've written and self published small comics and books in the past and i thought it would be fun for my daughter growing up. Anyway, any thoughts on books aimed at that age would be great. What works. Use of colour etc. I'm going for an old time-holga-esqe monotone for much of it but wth splashes of bright colour.
Here's a kind of mock up of the style etc...
Hope some of DPCs many parents can help. |
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01/13/2011 06:40:11 PM · #2 |
| I was going to put that photo into 'Unbalanced' actually, but with the slightly manipulated hands i guessed it would be illegal. |
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01/13/2011 06:55:36 PM · #3 |
I teach three year olds, and I have to say that their taste varies quite a bit! If it has silly words or rhymes they tend to love it. As for illustrations, the most captivating seem to be pretty colorful and well defined. I'll list a few favorites here and you can maybe check them out at the library or on amazon for some inspiration: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. If You Give A Pig A Pancake (or anything in that series). How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food (or anything in that series). And pretty much anything by Eric Carle (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You Hear and the Very Hungry Caterpillar in particular).
Hope that helps some! |
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01/13/2011 07:04:21 PM · #4 |
| Thanks Elizabeth, that is really helpful. I've seen a couple on your list (who hasn't read the Hungry Caterpillar!). I get your points about the colour and being well defined. I think i may fall down on that but perhaps there is a way i can make it work. I think an increasing amount of spot colour might work well. You're right about the language of course. Also having something defined tied in to point at. A lot to think about! Thanks again. |
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01/13/2011 07:12:09 PM · #5 |
I have a 5yo son who loves bedtime stories. Attention to detail is really important - make sure what's happening in the text matches exactly to the illustration.
He also loves detailed and quirky drawings - Little 'sub-plots' present in the pictures, like a mouse chasing a cat in the background. Facial expressions are important in the characters.
Oh, and voices - Whatever characters you come up with, make them distinctive enough so that the adult reading the story can come up with some interesting sounding voices for when they speak. Also, no tongue twisters! (I dunno how many times you're planning on using the phrase 'Selwyn the Shoggoth' in the actual text!) Make absolutely sure the text sounds good when read aloud, and the story flows easily from page to page.
And finally, for that age group, the whole story should be readable out loud by an adult in 10-15 minutes max. |
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01/13/2011 09:23:47 PM · #6 |
| My two favorites for consistent quality are Sandra Boynton for her meter and word flow with simple silly illustrations; and Jan Brett for her dense intricate illustrations that children can get lost in. Both are well worth a bit of time. |
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01/13/2011 09:37:44 PM · #7 |
I've been meaning to bring this up for a while, and I figure this is the perfect post.
Check out Phoebe Dunn. She does some excellent work. The stories are really cute and there are photos to go along with the stories.
We own quite a few books and my 4.5 year old daughter loves them.
Paul |
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01/13/2011 10:28:35 PM · #8 |
I think you can do the dark sort of theme well enough. Spookiness adds tension, and keeps you interested when you're a distracted little kid. Definitely make sure to have at least something that is very discernible in every picture. Kids won't sit there looking for something that isn't readily obvious, as they aren't looking at it for themes and art but for content. What content does an ambiguous picture provide a child with?
As far as the writing, anything that is enveloping. Commanding imagination is really key, so use very inclusive language. |
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01/13/2011 10:53:53 PM · #9 |
It's funny, my father, who was head of the English faculty at Geelong Teacher's College before he retired, sort of frowned on illustrations - said children's imagination was better engaged without them. I've got to say I love illustrated children's books and miss sharing the pleasure of them with my children who are all grown. Maybe your beautiful abstracts are just the right addition to the text to keep children imagining. And, from my experience, children love darkness, and spookiness, and being a little afraid.
Message edited by author 2011-01-13 23:35:47. |
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01/13/2011 11:04:16 PM · #10 |
| This is all great feedback. Thanks all. I'll have a good think and reply better tomorrow (it's 4am here-need to go to bed). But this is all great intersting stuff. Just what i was after. |
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