Gorilla by Anthony Browne is a great picture book because of the simple and unadorned relationship between words and images. In fact, if you look closely, Gorilla is as straightforward as it gets - the illustrations show the reader exactly what the words tell us. Many pictures, on the other hand, are rich in detail and significance, and embellish this narrative framework, taking us into the main character’s home and her psyche. However, more than this straightforward relationship between text and images, Gorilla perfectly illustrates that every mark matters. You can spend days looking at the movement of every line, both consciously or unconsciously made.
I read kids books is what I do. It's just me, reading kids books and writing my thoughts. I have a M.Ed. in Children's Literature, so in my years of researching children’s literature, I’ve found that children’s literature is essential to the personal and academic development of all children because it is a window that not only opens, but also reflects the diversity of our human experience. More importantly, it lets young readers and readers of all ages know that children and people like them are worthy of being in books. If you have any questions, comments, observations, or if you just want to say hello, send me an email.
