Tag: picture books

Categories
illustration Picture Book writing

The Different Hats of Writing and Illustrating

Cartoon of a couple at dinner

In his tweet, Eric Merced reminded me how much of a challenge it can be to write and illustrate a book. When it’s a one-man show, you have to make so many decisions and switch your work mode so many times during the process.

It is so much more challenging than just writing. Now I realize that may offend some authors. If that’s the case, I understand, but I think you would agree that switching from writing, to drawing, to designing and putting it all together would take so much more than just the writing.

I suppose that is why I have such a soft spot for authors/illustrators. It has confounded me that picture books and graphic novels may be looked down on by the literary elite. The effort that goes into these books continue to amaze me.

So hats off to the solo writers, illustrators and designers that wear so many hats as they create outstanding work!

Is there a book you love that is written and illustrated by the same person? Let us know in the comments.

Cartoon of a couple at dinner
Categories
books webcomic

Why have a book without pictures?

Cartoon of a boy with a book and some popcorn. He says, A book without pictures is like popcorn without salt.

What can I say? Pictures make a book more interesting. And I bet you agree with me too. It’s sad that society reasons you must have nothing but text on a page. Don’t get me wrong. Book design is an art unto itself and takes a lot of work to make it look perfect. But still, books without pictures have always looked boring and inaccessible.

Continue reading “Why have a book without pictures?”
Categories
Book Review

Blah, Blah, Blah: the Book

Kudos to Dan Roam’s new book, “Blah, Blah, Blah: What to do when words won’t work.” I read his earlier book, “The Back of the Napkin,” because I wanted to use my pictures while teaching kids. Roam’s new book takes the idea of incorporating pictures and words even further. I bought this book on Friday. it was so good, I devoured it in the last forty-eight hours!

I especially loved in the beginning where he tells how Dr. Seuss made such an impression on him as a child as well as others. Lately, I’ve heard doomsayers announce the death of picture books. This book shows that we need pictures to go with our words more than ever because we need both to really learn something. I highly recommend it for anyone who gives presentations, teaches, or just wants to get an idea across in the most effective way.

You can on the image above to order a copy.

You can also check out his web site at danroam.com.

Categories
Picture Book

PiBoIdMo

That’s right. I’m taking the plunge. November is Picture Book Idea Month. You can participate too by going to  http://taralazar.wordpress.com.

Look for the ideas to show up on my blog. We’ll see if I do one each day or have a few bunched up on a day. You know, it’s the ebb and flow thing!

Categories
Children's Books

Jabbing at Picture Books

Cartoon of a dad reading a bedtime story to his son. The son says, “Read me the one about the dad who loved his son no matter what!”

USA Today has an article about the guys from JibJab getting into the picture book market. Gregg and Evan Spiridellis are using iPads and what they’ve learned from the e-card market  to bring kids into the picture book… literally.

I loved the fact that technology can bring picture books into a new realm. Just think what could happen in a couple of years! We could have animated picture books where the child is embedded into the story as if it was a home movie. There could be pop-up books that utilize 3D technology to put the child in the story. How would a kid react to see themselves pop out of the story? Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Some people may see this as a bad thing. But I believe any technology used to tell a story can be just as legitimate as any other. Content is the important thing. A poor story will flounder whether it is done traditionally or with every bell and whistle a programmer can throw at it. At the same time, a good story will shine whether it is done on back of napkins or in an iPad app.

However, technology can get in the way of a parent. If an e-reader is used in the place of a dad who doesn’t want to read that dad-blamed story for the one-hundredth time, then something very valuable is lost. Kids need to have their parents read to them whenever it is possible.

What are your thoughts?