Where Are The Wild Things Are By Mabel Segun

Picturebooks are a combination of words and visual art. Words and pictures are equally significant in picturebooks. Mabel Segun stresses on illustrations role by stating that “Illustrations are literature in their own right, and whether used by themselves or integrated with written texts, they sharpen the perception of children, stimulate their imagination and increase their sense of observation. The overall development of children can be aided by good illustrations”. No doubt that proper illustrations are the key elements that helps children to enhance their imagination and creativity. However, the idea of illustrations standing on their own in picturebooks is open to discussion. At times illustrations applies more sense than a text does in
An example from Voices in the park by Anthony brown, we see the separated background colours when Smudge is talking to Charles, from dark and gloomy greyish where was Charles sitting, to the bright and joyful green where Smudge was sitting and asking him to play with her. Charles was sad and Smudge is happy. Transforming the reader’s mood from sadness to happiness as the two dogs cross over the picture into the two different moods from left to right as the story is moving forward. Also in Where are the wild things are? “A study of Sendak’s illustrations reveals that the color used is generally of low intensity and dark tone, and that shades of blue predominate. Sendak’s choices are predicated on his illustrating a story that is a dream or fantasy, taking place at night or twilight” (Kiefer, 1995, p. 28). With proper illustration, children will be able to recall highest information associated with pictures and learn how to read a story on their own. Pictures motivate children’s imagination and creativity; they can tell a story from their own point of view. Illustrations attract children’s minds moving them forward in the story settings, characters and message detection. It also can be narrated from more than one perspective. These perspectives and point of views are variable because it depends on what children see in a
Illustrations not only offers information, but it allows the child to be engaged with this information. They are able to identify colours, shapes, animals and other objects which help them to create a proper vocabulary. In order to learn how to read, text is a necessary here because it engages children and develop their reading experience. The habit of grabbing a book and going through its pages encourages children to be independent. They will be able to grow this habit in the future and reading will be something major in their life. Picturebooks enhance reading abilities in young readers as Anthony Brown stated, “people who were early pushed away from Picturebooks into what they call proper book (book with no pictures), are more likely to face reading difficulties” (Browne). Picturebooks also enrich children’s imaginations and creativity and teach them to grow up. Sometimes texts tell us additional facts than pictures and here comes the adults’ role to enhance children’s understanding of the story. What makes picturebooks valuable is that they are enjoyable for both children and adults, which invents a connection between adults and young readers. The relationship between words and pictures reflects the relationship between children and adults. (Anthony Brown) Children