My essay is a study of how wordless picturebooks assist emotional and educational development. I have found a number of examples which help to illustrate the points l want to make:
Fig
1-2: Popov (1996) takes a similar approach
though uses anthropomorphism (presenting animals to convey human emotions,
thoughts and actions) to explain the devastating consequences and futility of
war. Fig. shows the two animals in a
green, pleasant setting with no worries in the world; until they begin to wage
war against each other which quickly escalates out of control. At the end of the story fig. shows a bleak contrast, where war has
destroyed the earth and all living things.
Each animal has something which belonged to the other (flower and
umbrella have changed ownership) but both are destroyed. It is perhaps unlikely that a child would
pick up on such details on the first viewing; however the wordless narrative
can be revisited many times and new details uncovered each time. These multiple layers add narrative and
visual interest not only for the child but the adult inclusively. Colour also plays an important part in the
communication of the devastation (bright sunny colours connote happiness and
harmony, whereas dull muted tones represent the aftermath). These two spreads alone convey a poignant
message and the author’s personal experience of war undoubtedly contributes to
the success of this emotionally charged narrative.
Figure 1: Double page spread [ 8-9] (Source: Popov, N.,
1996. Why? New York: North South Books Inc.)
Figure 2: Double page spread [ 38-39] (Source: Popov, N.,
1996. Why? New York: North South Books Inc.)
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