Reading Contemporary Picturebooks: Picturing Text

by David R. Lewis

Reading Contemporary Picturebooks takes a look at one of the most vibrant branches of children's literature - the modern picturebook. This exciting new book takes a sample of contemporary picturebooks and closely examines the features that make them distinctive and then suggests a way of characterising the 'interanimation' of words and pictures that is the essence of the form. The reasons for the picturebook's vitality and flexibility are also explored and the close bond between the picturebook and its readers is analyzed. Advances in our understanding of how visual images are organized are examined and the book concludes with an attempt to redescribe the picturebook in such a way that pictures, readers and text may be drawn together. Picturing Text will be of interest to students, teachers and researchers interested in reading, children's literature and media studies.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2001

About the author

David Lewis is a retired, decorated Lieutenant-Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. Having retired just before COVID came to visit, he was forced to stay home with limited options for personal productivity. Perhaps it was time for him to paint and to write. David writes about his life and many years of military service in both the US and Canada, Europe and Afghanistan. He also includes how flashbacks of childhood abuse at the hands of parish priests have influenced and infected his life and service. David is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the General Campaign Star – South-West Asia, the Commander Canadian Army Commendation, and other decorations. He has been married to Sherrie, his wife of over 40 years. They have five children and one granddaughter.

(Also, I have not authored over 200 books. Goodreads just attaches every 'David Lewis' authored book and I can't undo it)

Reviews

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting topics especially the chapter on Wittgenstein's ideas about meaning and picturebooks.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philosophical and wordy in a few spots, but really interesting ideas. I feel like for a book about picturebooks there weren't enough illustrations.

[Sarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set book on Children's Lit MA