ThePictureBook.com

Welcome, Illustrators and Authors.

Thepicturebook.com is here, to project you on an odyssey into the art of picture book design, aiding you through the basic principles of image and word narrative, giving you a deeper understanding on what a picture book is and does, and sparking your creativity through past and current picture book inonvations. We are an ongoing to database, here to help YOU get the most out of what you do.

A Picture Book, is, in short, a book

There are many different types of

commonly aimed at children, in

picture books, each of which can

which the content is conveyed

serve a different purpose. For

through the use of a combination

example - board books, concept

of words and pictures, or solely

books, easy-readers, non-fiction and

through pictures alone.

wordless.

The term picture book should

There are also various ways in which

not be confused with that of an

children learn and respond through

illustrated book, as the pictures

reading picture books. These consist

they contain form an essential

of - Word and image interaction,

part of the structure, as apposed

extending

to simply accompanying the text.

understanding

their letters,

vocabulary, analysing

colour for significance, becoming Picture Books, thus defined, are a

aware of phonics, reading body

relatively modern form of book,

language, reading visual metaphors,

yet their origins and influences

looking and thinking, rising to the

can be traced back thousands of

challenges offered, looking and

years.

learning, and affective responses.

The Beginning Pictorial storytelling can be traced back to earliest paintings on wall caves, some of which can be dated back to 60,000 years ago. We can only speculate the purpose/meanings of these, but it is clear they were one of most important means of communication at the time.

Trajan's Column in Rome is also one of the oldest examples of visual narrative., Built in the second ceuntry, it tells the story of Trajon's victories in the Dacian Wars.

Following this, the Tombs of Ancient Egypt likewise gave birth to some amazing stories through the form of pictures.

Need help with beginning your picture book? Well look no further!

Have a flick through our very own step by step guide of the thought process and developmental procedures, created from the wise advice of professional writers and designers.

Click the arrow to begin‌

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Henri’s Walk to Paris This charming picture book with its bright orange pages and striking, simple graphics tells the story of a little boy who lives in a tiny French village but dreams of going to Paris. With a delightful text written by Leonore Klein, it was originally published in 1962, the only children’s book illustrated by the talented graphic designer Saul Bass.