Looking at the BBC2 hour length film, I was able to see various different influences of how children's book design has developed throughout various decades/century.
Starting from the beginning it was identifying the origin of children's book were focused and based around nursery rhymes, this being because nursery rhymes allowed the reader and the child to have a special binding experience. Nursery rhymes are popular due to rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Even though they may not always make sense they are very catchy and easy to learn. This is why children love them so much.
First illustrators to show illustration in children's book depicting nursery rhymes were;
Arthur Rackham
Walter Crane
Kate Greenaway
However it was the artist Randolfe Cauldecotte (who created various illustrated books from the years 1877-1886), stood out the most and helped develop children's books into a different dynamic.
By created books based on nursery rhymes, using both imagination and humour throughout them. This allowed them to appeal to both the children and the reader.
All of his books have vast amounts of detail.
Beatrix Potter
In 1902 a book was published called 'the tale of peter rabbit'. This was the first children's book where both the illustrations and the writing had been produced by the same person. Beatrix potter was both a talent artist as well as being a very talent author. By combining the two together she was able to produce a series of short stories.
These were proven to be very popular, by creating a series of short stories with a unique world and memorable loveable characters. Children became engrossed and felt as if they knew the characters. A winning formula in book design.
Rev. Wilbert Awdry
In 1942 'the 3 engines' was published. W.Awdry produced both the illustrations and the stories. Thomas the tank engine became very popular and remains popular to date. The success is said to be because of the faces used in the drawings, as the emotions of the trains can be seen.
Enid Blyton
'Noddy books' were introduced to the nation in 1949. The books were bright and colourful, which attracted alot of attention and buyers. Enid wrote the stories and the illusrations were produced by Harmsen Van Der Beek.
By creating a series of books they were able to create a logo, they had consistency and they were able to bring toys to life.
However the books created controversy with readers, due to the golliwogs made people feel uneasy, there was a lot of violence. The stories were about doing naughty things and then getting told off and punished. (This was not the right message at the time)
Brian Wildsmith
In the 1960's parents were very liberal minded therefore they wanted something different for their children. 'ABC' by Brian Wildsmith was produced, this book was not like a normal ABC book. It help both text and a very detailed drawing.
It is the way the painting are not entirely neat and in uniform that links to children well. Creativity is essential.
Children's books took a high rise in demand with an increase of 4 publishers to around 50. This meant that the overall look of children's book became very high quality.
Pat Hutchins
'Rosie's walk' was a very unique book. That allowed the audience to engage with the book in a manner not yet seen before. The book consisted of only 24 words, however was illustrated in large detail. The words given on the page of which the adults read to the children do not hold the biggest information through the story (the silent fox), children have the superiority when reading as they notice the fox before the adult and they also are in control of what the fox does as they turn the page.
The overall concept behind the book is very clever.
Shirley Hughes
Her first book was 'Dogger' this book was about a small boy who loses his toy dog. She focuses in her stories the small dramas of a childs life and how through the eyes of a child these dramas can seem like the end of the world. She used her own childhood as inspiration in many of her books, allowing readers to feel a variety of emotions.
Her illustrations are very realistic, with the immense detail throughout. This is down to the fact that most children cannot read who look at her books, therefore they are perceiving the story through her illustrations.
John Burningham
The book 'Grandpa' allows the reader and child to talk about what they think may be going on in the pictures. This allows children to be creative themselves. The book also breeches a very difficult topic at the end as 'grandpa is gone'. This introduces this to children at an early age.
Helen Oxenbury
A series of 'Baby born books' were created by Helen Oxenbury in the 1980's. She noticed that even though babies cannot read or speak doesnt mean they do not know what things look like or associate them with things.
In the book 'Friends' there are no words, however these words are not needed as the illustrations do the talking.
Janet and Allan Ahlberg
With an illustrative wife and author husband combination. The Ahlberg's were able to reinvent children's book. By creating books which allowed the readers to interact as well as look as listen to the rhyming story.
Each,Peach,Pear, Plum was one of the first books published by them. This allowed children to play a game of hide and seek whilst reading. (very clever).
Michael Rosen
'We're going on a bear hunt' was adapted by Michael Rosen from a song used by american indians. It has became one of the best selling children's books of all time. With the use of repetition and the illustrations by Helen Oxenburg.
Trish Cooke
'So Much' by Trish Cooke focuses on anglo-carribean community. Looking through the eyes of the baby in the family. She based the book on stories of her own family. It related to children perfectly as it is worded to suit children. This is also illustrated by Helen Oxenburg.
Lauren Child
Today (2000's), Lauren child uses collage to create her books (Charlie and Lola). This allows the readers to look at various different textures, mixing both photographs with drawings.
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