Structural Features of Picture Books

Illustrations – Pictures are used to tell the story as well as the writing. The pictures should do at least half the work of telling the story.
Illustrations should be eye catching and full of movement to carry the story.

Predictable and Common Plots – Stories for children often follow common and predictable plots. This helps children follow the story. For example, a story about resilience often features a child trying three times before succeeding.

Visual Features of Picture Books

Cover – Picture books have a decorated cover that includes jacket, spine and back. These attract the child’s interest.

Shape – Picture books can be in almost any shape, but are often square.

Gutter – The gutter is the middle space where the pages are bound together. Some artists decorate the gutter.

Typography – The fonts used. Often picture books use handwritten fonts. They are always easy to read.

Language features of Visual Texts

Lovable Strong Character – Picture books usually have a strong lovable central character. Picture books often have few additional characters.

Repetition – Picture books often use repetition. Most stories for children use repetition to help them understand and follow the story.

Alliteration – Works for chidlren often use word plays like alliteration to get their attention.

Humour – Stories for children are often funny.

Subtext (Metaphor, Symbolism) – Picture books often seem to be about one thing but are often actually about another. This makes for conversation with children. For example, this retelling of Red Riding Hood is more about the dangers of modern society than about the adventures of a little girl.

Hyperbole – Characters, situations and settings are often exaggerated in picture books.

More Help:

Teacher page on Visual Techniques in Picture Books: https://visual-literacy-skills.weebly.com/visual-techniques-in-picture-books.html