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
Shadra Strickland might be the most delightful writing workshop presenter on the planet. In this episode, the author/illustrator (and agent!) reveals how to get at the heart of your story by sharing some of her best writing exercises to get your creative juices flowing from your brain to the page.
