Podcast – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 2
It’s time for How to Analyze a Picture Book – Part 2.
In this episode, we talk about how to analyze a picture book’s illustrations and other things to look for when analyzing a mentor text.
First up, illustrations: What’s the job of the illustrations? What do they add to the story? How does color make a difference? If you’re an author-only creator, how can you leave room for the illustrator and still get your story across? Is it okay to use art notes?
Then we jump into a variety odds and ends to consider and pay attention to as you continue to analyze and study picture books, including “is this book for kids” or “what makes this story uniquely kid-centric”?
Download the How to Analyze a Picture Book Handout* HERE and use it with your next haul of library books!
Books** mentioned in this episode:
- Me…Jane written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
- No More Señora Mimí written by Meg Medina and illustrated by
- Spencer’s New Pet written and illustrated by Jessie Sima
- Hot Dog written and illustrated Doug Salati
- Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated Maurice Sendak
- Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews written by Julie Hedlund and illustrated by Ilaria Urbanati
- Waiting in the Wings written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by EG Keller
- The Enchanted Symphony written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by Elly McKay
- Press Here written and illustrated by Hervé Tullet
- The Pink Hat written and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
- Dr. Fauci: How a Boy From Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Alexandra Bye
- River of Dust written by Jilanne Hoffmann and illustrated by Eugenia Mello
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
- Looking at Picture Books with Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Substack)
Listen here:
Check out the first part of How to Analyze a Picture Book here: 076 – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 1
*This is the same handout as episode 076 – How to Analyze a Picture Book Part 1.
**Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.
Deanne Endrizzi
April 24, 2025 at 10:36 amLove your PBs Emma and Julie A., but I had to cringe, as a bird biologist, regarding Waiting in the Wings, The illustrator (I’m assuming) chose wood ducks as your characters, but wood ducks only use tree cavities or wood duck boxes to nest in. Mallards are your typical ducks that nest in weird places, like the location depicted in your book. I realize this is minor to the story’s plot, but the nesting part isn’t true to life. We’ve always been told as piture book writers, even if your story is fiction, you should do your homework to make sure you are getting your facts correct.
Sorry, I just had to mention this and you may have already heard it.
Keep up the great work! Emma, Julie, Katie, Kelly, and Laura, your podcasts rock!