Illustrations in Children's books

gali · Post by **gali** » 02 May 2017, 12:54

How Important Are Illustrations in Children's books? Can a children's book still be considered "good" if the illustrations are not well done? I think that the quality of the pictures is as important as the quality of the actual story itself. What did you think about the illustrations in the book? I thought they were rather sweet.

e-tasana-williams · Post by **e-tasana-williams** » 02 May 2017, 13:26

I agree that illustrations can make or break a children's book. Some books stay with me because of their illustrations. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, Little Bill books, The Giving Tree, anything by Dr. Seuss...all of these have wonderful illustrations in different styles.

For me, the illustrations in this book were a bit flat. They had a feel of being computer generated and did not draw me into the story.

csimmons032 · Post by **csimmons032** » 02 May 2017, 20:27

Being an artists, I think the illustrations are just as important as the writing. They really go hand in hand. Children count on the pictures to tell them a story just as much as the words, or at least I did. That's why good illustrations are a key to success for a children's book. The illustrations were sweet just like you said. I can understand what e-tasana-williams is saying about them being computer generated though. Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that because computers can still create some great images, but I have always been a fan of being able to see the artistry in an image.

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 02 May 2017, 23:13

I agree with you, the illustrations are just as important.

As I didn't choose to read the whole thing, the only one I saw was the first one. I wasn't a fan. I've always (seriously, always) been very particular about illustrations, and this just isn't a style I like. They were cute, though, especially for the target age group.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 03 May 2017, 01:46

Great question! I agree with others, illustrations are very important in children's books, especially the younger ones.

I loved the illustrations here. They were fun, cute, and I believe would be appealing to preschoolers and Kindergartners (which I think is the target audience).

Amagine · Post by **Amagine** » 03 May 2017, 05:33

Illustrations are important in children's picture books. Honestly, I prefer for there to be illustrations in older books for children as well. Humans are visual creatures and some of us are visual learners. Some children comprehend the story better if there are illustrations for them to visualize the story with. Illustrations appeal to all learning styles and abilities. That is why we need them in books, even in books for teens and adults.

Lest92 · Post by **Lest92** » 04 May 2017, 19:56

Oh yes, illustrations, especially if they are outstanding, have their own magic. I tend to remember the illustrations from the children's books I read as a child (and I chose picture books from our primary school library even though I could read - I just wanted the art).

Ceciltrixiedom · Post by **Ceciltrixiedom** » 05 May 2017, 12:10

Illustrations give a mark to the children's mind. It sharpens their memory of the what, who, where and why in the story. A story can be pictureless but their memory span is lesser than reading with illustrations.Remember children love pictures, illustrations especially with colors! Me, i used the "picture story" technique in teaching.I found it effective in reading comprehension and retaining memory about a story.Story with illustrations stay forever in their minds.

Guppy · Post by **Guppy** » 05 May 2017, 17:11

Illustrations are important because they give visual clues for beginning readers. I'm not a fan of this kind of art, I prefer paintings or mixed media collages for children's books. That being said, the target audience will be growing up with ipads and 3D animation so the illustration style in the book are spot on for today's children.

Azeline Arcenal · Post by **Azeline Arcenal** » 05 May 2017, 23:53

I think illustrations are a very important part of a book, especially a kids book. Most kids who start off can't read very well and often rely on pictures to help them understand what is going on. Other kids don't know how to read and just look at the pictures for help. I remember babysitting a little girl and she loved to point at the pictures in a particular books and tell me about what she thought was happening in the book. I thought it was pretty cute and neat how she used her imagination to make up stories.

Ceciltrixiedom · Post by **Ceciltrixiedom** » 06 May 2017, 00:54

That's true. A kid can even tell a story by looking at pictures. It enhances their interest in reading the story.

Jessiebessie123 · Post by **Jessiebessie123** » 06 May 2017, 03:46

Visual is the best form of inprinting at such a young age so i think it is essential.

CarrieMe · Post by **CarrieMe** » 06 May 2017, 16:05

The pictures in children's books really make or break the story. I agree with e-tasana-williams who said the pictures in Farmer Beau's Farm had a computer-generated feel to them. I wasn't a fan of the pictures, especially the ones featuring people. They gave me a weird, uncanny-valley sort of vibe. It makes me wonder how the pictures would be received by actual kids.

godreaujea · Post by **godreaujea** » 06 May 2017, 17:01

Since children don't know how to read yet when these books are read to them, I think it is very important to have good illustrations to keep them engaged and interested.

Donnavila Marie01 · Post by **Donnavila Marie01** » 06 May 2017, 17:28

Children are visual learners. While they do not know how to read yet, the visual presentations are important because it is through the pictures that they can relate to the story. An angry face will send them the message that the character is angry.