Lara Cain Gray (text) and Timothy Ide & Lorena Carrington (illustrators), The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books, MidnightSun Publishing, September 2024, 64 pp., RRP $34.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922858504
This stunning new publication captures the magic and complexity of picture books in all their different guises. Using an alphabetical format, author Lara Cain Gray takes a deep dive into metalanguage, literary devices, illustrative techniques, themes and structures, to name but a few. Each spread is headed with a letter and title, such as “K is for kindness (and other virtues)” and then unpacked in detail. Each spread also offers considered talking points on the topic, a thought-provoking illustration and then a prompt question to check for understanding. Essentially it could be called an instruction guide for picture books, but it is so much more than this.
The beautiful illustrations are by Timothy Ide and Lorena Carrington, who may already be familiar to many. They deserve interrogation on their own. Their two different artistic styles come together seamlessly in a magical and whimsical way, often combining different mediums and illustrative techniques. With the turn of a page, styles, layouts, vignettes, use or lack of colour, white space, and lines vary in multitudinous ways.
Every design element of this book has been given great consideration. The front and back cover is a standout had me at “Hello!”. The endpapers represent the personal growth and transformative powers that picture books may offer readers but may also symbolise the reader’s developing knowledge having read this book.
The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books is an essential book for librarians, primary teachers, English teachers, Art teachers, book sellers, aspiring authors and illustrators, book reviewers and anyone who loves picture books. And whilst its title suggests that this is a book for grown-ups, there is much to explore or share here with children eight years and older, with guidance from an adult. The publishers may have considered a slightly larger format (and larger font!) for the purpose of sharing with students if suitable.
Highly recommended
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
