During the lecture this week (week 6) we were introduced to our new brief and given some examples of work that should inform our own product, the project is to create a picture book which tackles serious matters and explains it in an easy, effective way for children ages 6+
In the lecture we looked at a few examples of picture books which tackled serious problems but made them applicable to children. The works from authors and illustrators like: Neil Gaiman, Maurice Sendak, Davide Cali, Serge Bloch and David Mckee were all highlighted in how they illustrate or write in a way which makes complex issues digestible for a younger audience.
One thing I took away from this lecture is that just because a demographic may include only a young age group it doesn’t mean that the subject matter has to reflect that. Author Neil Gaiman made a valid point when talking to a critic about his reimagining of Hansel & Gretel, “I think if you are protected from dark things then you have no protection of, knowledge of, or understanding of dark things when they show up.” (BrainPickings, 2015). Overall I feel as though any subject matter can be explained to children and it doesn’t always need to be sugar coated.
From here I will further research the authors and illustrators that were referenced in the lecture, as well as using Pinterest to find inspirations and ideas to inform my own work.
Bibliography:
Neil Gaiman Reimagines Hansel & Gretel, With Stunning Illustrations by Italian Graphic Artist Lorenzo Mattotti. Available from:
https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/10/28/neil-gaiman-hansel-gretel-lorenzo-mattotti/ [22 February 2016].
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