Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
The significance of the title is shown by big
and bold text in these two pages. This
visual sets children up so that they pay
special attention to that phrase which
portrays the overall theme of the book.
This page uses repetitive and
rhyming words that are different
sizes to show emphasis.
Don’t be greedy, Graham by Phil Roxbee Cox
These illustrations show
happy faces in the first
picture, but the next picture
shows that there is conflict.
Without reading the text you
can guess that Graham is in
trouble for eating everyone’s
lunch.
“Don’t be greedy, Graham!” is
in bold, and larger than the
rest of the text; another
example of recurring theme.
This page shows the use of
multiple descriptive words
with a very similar meaning.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
This page uses different size text to show emphasis and repetitive words.
Text is not needed because the image tells the story.
These four sentences are used on every page. It shows recurring theme and
repetition.
Brittany Rickett
English 2010
Genre Analysis Worksheet
1. What genre have you chosen? What are the overall characteristics or
patterns of this genre as found in your examples? Give us the titles and
authors of the examples you have found and connect them to these
characteristics and patterns.
I have chosen to analyze Children’s literature specifically picture books.
Ashland University Library classifies a picture book as an “Interdependence of art
and text.” Ashland University also states that the picture book category can
include any type of genre be it fantasy, fiction, poetry—the classification of
picture books is based more on the format rather than subject. A few sub-genres
of the picture book genre are: toddler books, early picture books, and easy
readers.
As simple as picture books may seem, there’s more to analyzing one than
many may think. Some of the characteristics taken into consideration when
producing a children’s book is: the size of the book, text, illustrations, exterior of
the book and even things like the frontmatter and endpapers—the first page
before the title page and the last page before the back cover—and so on. In the
examples Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson, Don’t be greedy, Graham: a
cautionary tale by Phil Roxbee Cox and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael
Rosen, I noticed that they contained many of the same features like: a recurring
theme, different text size to draw attention to important material, use of
multiple words to describe something, comprised of short sentences, etc. I felt
that each of these stories could be told in a similar manner without reading the
text, which shows that the illustrations are very relevant to the subject matter.
2. How might you divide this genre into sub-genres or examples of this
genre written for a particular audience or with a particular purpose?
Where do your examples fit on this continuum? How do these criteria
shift or change within the different examples you have found? Cite
specific titles/authors of this genre which help to illustrate your
distinctions.
Since picture books can have a wide range of purposes, the audience for a
specific book might differ. Toddler books are and intended for a younger
audience around ages 1-3; these books are usually under 300 words and teach
things like numbers shapes, etc. Early picture books are usually geared toward
ages 4-8; they are simple to read and usually contain under 1000 words and
finally, easy readers for ages 6-8; these books are very similar to a normal picture
book but the format is a little more complex. (write4kids, column 44) My
examples all fit in the early picture book category.
3. In general who is the audience for the genre you have chosen?
All of my examples fit into the early picture book sub-genre so I have decided
to stay in that group. My piece is intended for kids starting at age 4.
4. What is the purpose the genre you have chosen?
The purpose is to entertain kids and educate them through text and pictures.
5. Finally how has this analysis shaped the Open Genre you have written?
As you discuss these cite specific titles/authors from this genre.
In doing this analysis, I am aware of more characteristics of picture books than
I was before. I have incorporated repetition, recurring theme and the use of
different text size in my open genre piece.
Rooka Loves to Sleep
by Brittany Rickett
Rooka loves to sleep.
It doesn’t matter where.
Rooka loves to sleep.
But he’s too BIG to sleep in a
chair.
Rooka loves to sleep.
You can find him on the
couch.
Rooka loves to sleep.
But never quiet as a mouse.
Snore, Snore, Snore
Rooka loves to sleep.
But he even loves to play.
Rooka loves to sleep.
He goes for walks at least once a day.