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Children's book illustration - Coggle Diagram
Children's book illustration
Connecting with a young audience.
Focal Points
Size
Larger elements will command more attention over small elements.
Elements that are equal in size might compete with each other.
Isolation
White space
Surrounding an element with white space helps it stand out.
If there is too much clutter around an element, it will be harder to focus and put attention on it.
Centering
Placing an element on the front and centre of a page will stand out more than placing it along the edge or sides of the workspace.
Contrast
Can be achieved by using colour.
A brighter element will stand out more when placed with dull coloured elements.
A darker element will attract more attention when placed on a light background.
A complimentary color will stand out more when it’s placed next to it’s opposite color (on the color wheel).
Positioning or direction of a characters gaze
It is recommended that characters look into the page instead of looking off the page.
This will help bring the reader into the artwork.
Typography
Limit the typefaces that you use on the cover (and on the interior pages) to one or two.
Avoid mixing too many bold, underlined, and italicized versions of the same font or mixing cases.
Colour
Colour Psychology
Stimulating colours
Bright and catchy
Associating colours to real life objects like toys, fruit, vegetables and gadgets.
Alternative colouration
Colours do not coordinate with real life
Examples
Blue duck
Yellow house
Purple penguin
Allows for the child to use their imagination to form their own perceptions
Abstract
Helps children distinguish fact and fiction
Especially effective with toddlers and slightly older kids.
Black and red are especially recognizable for newborn babies.
Vivid colours hold interest and stimulate young minds to make associations that will become the building blocks for later learning.
Green children’s book covers are statistically sold less than other colors.
Different colors convey different emotions and moods.
Complimentary colours
Opposite colors on the color wheel.
Red compliments green
Blue compliments orange
Yellow compliments purple
Using complimentary colors will create contrast.
Helps elements stand out
Analogous colors
Next to each other on the color wheel
Can create a more relaxed, tranquil and harmonious feeling.
Blue and green
Yellow and orange
Red and purple
Simple stories with heartfelt and sincere messages, usually with an educational aim.
The lesson should not be told in a didactic way but instead be presented indirectly through the plot.
The relationship between the text and the images can be complementary or contradictory, according to the goal of the message.
The themes and illustration styles are infinite and free, but the narrative structure is almost always simple.
Target audience
0-3
'ABC' or '123' books
Parents will be reading these books
These books are often quite interactive and usually include sounds, lights, flaps, different textures, etc.
3-6
Early readers
At this age, children start developing their ability to read.
Illustrators tend to include details and elements that may not be seen in the first reading.
Books tend to be read repeatedly
7-10
Independent readers
Stories much longer
Vocabulary and plots are more complex
Text dominates more of the page
Illustrations may be more realistic
Picture book
What you say is very important.
Usually between 500-700 words
Rhyme, rhythm, pattern and repetition are also a feature in picture books.
Most picture books average 30 pages, consisting of 14 to 16 two-page spreads. A spread is the two pages of an open book.
Characterization
The main character should have one or two easily identifiable dominant traits.
Present the traits of your characters through both the illustrations and text.
Young children should be able to easily identify with the dominant traits.
Avoid using text to present detailed descriptions of what the characters look like. Let the illustrations present the physical details of the character.
Conflinct
Limit your story to one conflict the main character must overcome.
Four of the most common types of conflict are individual vs. individual, individual vs. society, individual vs. nature, and individual vs. self.
Acceptance by others, family dynamics, physical growth (especially appearance), and fear of the unknown (e.g., learning something new, participating in a new activity, going to a new place, getting lost) are common worries among younger audiences.
Text
Should be limited and organized into simple sentences and short paragraphs.
Easily digestible
The use of active verbs will keep the story vivid in the reader’s mind.
Rhythm, alliteration, repetition, refrains, onomatopoeia, simile, personification, rhyme, and imagery are commonly used devices.
Consider ending each page with a question or other method that sparks the reader’s curiosity for what will happen next.