Illustrated book: Difference between revisions
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=== Origins === | === Origins === | ||
Illustrated books orientate from Ancient civilization in which Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian culture's would use a variety of illustrations throughout their manuscript or stories. Some of the illustrations include hieroglyphs, murals, and pictograms. While the majority of these illustrations were drawn on the walls of temples and tombs rather than on a form of paper, they are still a form of an illustrated book, in which these illustrations were used to further enhance their storytelling. Though it is can certainly be argued that these illustrations were done for decoration more than they were for storytelling, it is important to note that the definition or idea of what an illustrated book was during this time differs from todays definition, seeing as this idea had just been created.<ref name=":1">“A Journey Through the Evolution of Illustrations in Books:” ''SGS'', 2 Apr. 2024, | Illustrated books orientate from Ancient civilization in which Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian culture's would use a variety of illustrations throughout their manuscript or stories. Some of the illustrations include hieroglyphs, murals, and pictograms. While the majority of these illustrations were drawn on the walls of temples and tombs rather than on a form of paper, they are still a form of an illustrated book, in which these illustrations were used to further enhance their storytelling. Though it is can certainly be argued that these illustrations were done for decoration more than they were for storytelling, it is important to note that the definition or idea of what an illustrated book was during this time differs from todays definition, seeing as this idea had just been created.<ref name=":1">“A Journey Through the Evolution of Illustrations in Books:” ''SGS'', 2 Apr. 2024, https://www.smashedgrid.com/2024/04/02/a-journey-through-the-evolution-of-illustrations-in-books/</ref> | ||
=== Medieval Period === | === Medieval Period === | ||
From the making of the parchment to the scribes work, books in the Medieval period were extensive, and the illustrations were no exception. These illustrations could be anything from a decorative initial, illustrated margins, or extensive drawings that would further the story. <ref>Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. "The Art of the Book in the Middle Ages." ''The Metropolitan Museum of Art,'' 1 Oct. 2001, | From the making of the parchment to the scribes work, books in the Medieval period were extensive, and the illustrations were no exception. These illustrations could be anything from a decorative initial, illustrated margins, or extensive drawings that would further the story. <ref>Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. "The Art of the Book in the Middle Ages." ''The Metropolitan Museum of Art,'' 1 Oct. 2001, https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-art-of-the-book-in-the-middle-ages | ||
</ref> During this period illustrated books were found in manuscripts. These illustrations would all be done by hand usually by monks or scribes, and would include a variety of colors and decorative elements. Each illustration served as a visual aid allowing the reader to better follow the story. <ref name=":1" /> | </ref> During this period illustrated books were found in manuscripts. These illustrations would all be done by hand usually by monks or scribes, and would include a variety of colors and decorative elements. Each illustration served as a visual aid allowing the reader to better follow the story. <ref name=":1" /> | ||
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Illustrated books may include, gardening books, cookbooks and lifestyle books. Illustrated books may also include children books and illustrated fiction which are explained in more detail below. While each of these types of books slightly differ, each features images, unlike text-only books. Furthermore, each of these books, along with any other types of illustrated books, aren't necessarily made to be looked at consistently, but rather be flipped through selectively. <ref name=":0" /> | Illustrated books may include, gardening books, cookbooks and lifestyle books. Illustrated books may also include children books and illustrated fiction which are explained in more detail below. While each of these types of books slightly differ, each features images, unlike text-only books. Furthermore, each of these books, along with any other types of illustrated books, aren't necessarily made to be looked at consistently, but rather be flipped through selectively. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Children Books === | === Children Books === | ||
Children books can be defined as a genre that is tailored for young readers through both written and illustrations which complement the story. Much like other genres, the purpose of such a books can be to inform or persuade, but are usually to entertain. Some examples of children books can include fairy tales, lullabies, fables, and more.<ref>''Children’s Literature | History, Books, Types, Awards, & Facts | Britannica''. 2 Oct. 2025, | Children books can be defined as a genre that is tailored for young readers through both written and illustrations which complement the story. Much like other genres, the purpose of such a books can be to inform or persuade, but are usually to entertain. Some examples of children books can include fairy tales, lullabies, fables, and more.<ref>''Children’s Literature | History, Books, Types, Awards, & Facts | Britannica''. 2 Oct. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/art/childrens-literature</ref> It is important to note however, that while picture books can fall under children books, there is a distinction that can be made from picture and illustrated books, which is later discussed. | ||
=== Illustrated Fiction === | === Illustrated Fiction === | ||
Illustrated fiction though can include a variety of stories, can be defined as a story or narrative that uses images to both further the story and thus brings more meaning to it. This form of fiction results in a lot of controversy or arguments in which the line between the story being a novel or illustration becomes blurred.<ref>Godbey, Margaret J. “Illustrated Novel.” ''The Encyclopedia of the Novel'', edited by Peter Melville Logan, 1st ed., Wiley, 2010. ''DOI.org (Crossref)'', | Illustrated fiction though can include a variety of stories, can be defined as a story or narrative that uses images to both further the story and thus brings more meaning to it. This form of fiction results in a lot of controversy or arguments in which the line between the story being a novel or illustration becomes blurred.<ref>Godbey, Margaret J. “Illustrated Novel.” ''The Encyclopedia of the Novel'', edited by Peter Melville Logan, 1st ed., Wiley, 2010. ''DOI.org (Crossref)'', https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781444337815.wbeotni003</ref> However, it can be argued that illustrated fiction's purpose is to blurr these lines, in which both the style of a novel and illsutrations are combined to make one unique and dynamic story. | ||
== Picture Books vs Illustrated Books == | == Picture Books vs Illustrated Books == | ||
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==== Purpose ==== | ==== Purpose ==== | ||
Though much like illustrated books picture books contain images, the purpose and intention behind this differs. Within a picture book the images serve as a means of telling the story. The images are needed to depict the particular scene or part of the story and may or may not be accompanied by words. In other words, the story is heavily depended upon the illustrations in order to both enhance and reinforce the story.<ref name=":2">"What is the Difference Between a Picture Book and an Illustrated Book?" ''Santos CS Bermejo'', 9 May 2024, | Though much like illustrated books picture books contain images, the purpose and intention behind this differs. Within a picture book the images serve as a means of telling the story. The images are needed to depict the particular scene or part of the story and may or may not be accompanied by words. In other words, the story is heavily depended upon the illustrations in order to both enhance and reinforce the story.<ref name=":2">"What is the Difference Between a Picture Book and an Illustrated Book?" ''Santos CS Bermejo'', 9 May 2024, https://santosandluistobooks.com/difference-between-picture-and-illustrated-book/</ref> | ||
This distinct purpose is shown further in the Caldecott terms and criteria for children picture books. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to America's most distinguished children's book. Within the criteria of this reward a definition of what qualifies as a children's picture books is stated. According to this definition a picture book contains a "unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised."<ref>''Randolph Caldecott Medal | Association for Library Service to Children''. | This distinct purpose is shown further in the Caldecott terms and criteria for children picture books. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to America's most distinguished children's book. Within the criteria of this reward a definition of what qualifies as a children's picture books is stated. According to this definition a picture book contains a "unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised."<ref>''Randolph Caldecott Medal | Association for Library Service to Children''. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecott<nowiki/>Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.</ref> With this defintion it is made clear that a picture book represents the unity of a story and illustrations, that unlike a illustrated book, highly depends and relies on the use of its llustrations, and are thus pivotal to the story. Picture books are also typically tailored for a younger audience with the purpose of engaging and entertaining children. | ||
==== Examples ==== | ==== Examples ==== | ||
Revision as of 09:40, 21 October 2025
Overview
fill in later
History
Illustrated books have existed much longer than many may believe, having spanned through many different ages and eras. Though the type of illustrations or purpose behind them had differed over time, it is clear that illustrations have always been used as a part of storytelling.
Origins
Illustrated books orientate from Ancient civilization in which Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian culture's would use a variety of illustrations throughout their manuscript or stories. Some of the illustrations include hieroglyphs, murals, and pictograms. While the majority of these illustrations were drawn on the walls of temples and tombs rather than on a form of paper, they are still a form of an illustrated book, in which these illustrations were used to further enhance their storytelling. Though it is can certainly be argued that these illustrations were done for decoration more than they were for storytelling, it is important to note that the definition or idea of what an illustrated book was during this time differs from todays definition, seeing as this idea had just been created.[1]
Medieval Period
From the making of the parchment to the scribes work, books in the Medieval period were extensive, and the illustrations were no exception. These illustrations could be anything from a decorative initial, illustrated margins, or extensive drawings that would further the story. [2] During this period illustrated books were found in manuscripts. These illustrations would all be done by hand usually by monks or scribes, and would include a variety of colors and decorative elements. Each illustration served as a visual aid allowing the reader to better follow the story. [1]
Renaissance Period
The Renaissance period can be defined as a period of time in which there was a renewed interest in the arts, thus leading to an emphasis on illustrations within books. Furthermore, with the invention of the Gutenberg Press in the 15th century, illustrations for books became further advanced. That is, not only did illustrations evolve from what they were in previous years, but with the help of the printing press, books became much more accessible to all, therefore allowing illustrated books to reach a much bigger audience.[1]
Golden Age
The Golden Age was a period of time in which achievement and advancement. While this spanned a wide range of areas, there was a quite a lot of advancement in the printing technology, resulting in greater reproductions of illustrated books, one again widening both the possibilities of illustrations and its audience. During the Golden Age a new standard of illustrations was created in which illustrated books would consist of a range of colors, were immensely detailed, and enhanced storytelling to an imaginative level.[1]
Defintion
The term illustrated book refers to a book which contains images. An illustrated book can contain various different types of images such as, photography, paintings and drawings.[3] However, illustrated books are not limited to these types of art. As long as the book features images, the manner or form in which these images are shown is completely interchangeable.
Types of Illustrated Books
Illustrated books may include, gardening books, cookbooks and lifestyle books. Illustrated books may also include children books and illustrated fiction which are explained in more detail below. While each of these types of books slightly differ, each features images, unlike text-only books. Furthermore, each of these books, along with any other types of illustrated books, aren't necessarily made to be looked at consistently, but rather be flipped through selectively. [3]
Children Books
Children books can be defined as a genre that is tailored for young readers through both written and illustrations which complement the story. Much like other genres, the purpose of such a books can be to inform or persuade, but are usually to entertain. Some examples of children books can include fairy tales, lullabies, fables, and more.[4] It is important to note however, that while picture books can fall under children books, there is a distinction that can be made from picture and illustrated books, which is later discussed.
Illustrated Fiction
Illustrated fiction though can include a variety of stories, can be defined as a story or narrative that uses images to both further the story and thus brings more meaning to it. This form of fiction results in a lot of controversy or arguments in which the line between the story being a novel or illustration becomes blurred.[5] However, it can be argued that illustrated fiction's purpose is to blurr these lines, in which both the style of a novel and illsutrations are combined to make one unique and dynamic story.
Picture Books vs Illustrated Books
It is important to note that while picture books and illustrated books may seem like the same thing, they are actually two different forms of books. Though some may argue that certain types of illustrated books such as cookbooks or gardening books are picture books instead of illustrated books, this can be proven false. Cookbooks and gardening books though may depend on illustrations a bit more than other illustrated books, don't necessarily need the illustrations. That is, their story or really instructions can be followed with the text in the absence of illustrations, unlike picture books where you can't one of these aspects missing.
Picture Books
Purpose
Though much like illustrated books picture books contain images, the purpose and intention behind this differs. Within a picture book the images serve as a means of telling the story. The images are needed to depict the particular scene or part of the story and may or may not be accompanied by words. In other words, the story is heavily depended upon the illustrations in order to both enhance and reinforce the story.[6]
This distinct purpose is shown further in the Caldecott terms and criteria for children picture books. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to America's most distinguished children's book. Within the criteria of this reward a definition of what qualifies as a children's picture books is stated. According to this definition a picture book contains a "unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised."[7] With this defintion it is made clear that a picture book represents the unity of a story and illustrations, that unlike a illustrated book, highly depends and relies on the use of its llustrations, and are thus pivotal to the story. Picture books are also typically tailored for a younger audience with the purpose of engaging and entertaining children.
Examples
Published nearly fifty years ago, #1 bestseller and one of The Atlantics 65 Essential Children's Books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle remains to be a pivotal example of a children's picture book.[8] Following the transformation of a catapillar into a butterfly, this books is not only tailred to a young audience, but heavily relies on its illstrations to tell the catapillars story. While these illustrations are accompanied by words, they were few and number and heavily depend the image to tell the entire story.
Other examples of picture books include Dr Seuss's work in which the absence of the illustrations would result in perhaps a lesser or lack of understanding of the story. Some of these works include The Cat in the Hat and Oh the Places You'll Go! These works along with many others have earned a wide range of awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Caldecott Honors, and various adaptions of his works winning Emmy's and Oscars.[9]
Illustrated Books
Purpose
Unlike the purpose of a picture book, illustrated books use illustrations as a means to simply enhance or further the story. These illustrations are not necessary to tell the story but are simply something added to further grab the readers attention. To put differently, illustrated books have an emphasis on text, with its narrative structure varying by genre, with illustrations that simply complement certain moments or scenes, adding to the overall reading experience.[6]
Illustrated books can include a wide of variety of stories and genres and aren't necessarily tailored for one type of audience, showing the endless possibilities under this type of book. As shown below, illustrated books may be targeted to a younger audiences through stories such as Charolette's Web or stories that are tailored for older audiences through stories such as The Hobbit.
Examples
Beginning the epic adventure that is The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit follows the quest of a band of dwarves to reclaim the gold which Smaug, an evil dragon, has taken from them.[10] Though this story is a text-only book, there is an illustrated edition which qualifies as an illustrated book. Jemima Catlin's illustrations add a layer of imagination to the story. It is important to note that, without the illustrations the story would still be understood and portrayed correctly, unlike a picture book.
Another well known example of an illustrated book is E.B. White's Charolette's Web. Published in 1952, Charolette's Web remains a beloved and notable children's illustrated book.[11] Following Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig, this particular story though does mainly contain text, uses illustrations to further depict and show the characters loves and thus the story.
Designs
When it comes to design and layout, illustrated books can either be vertical or horizontal. If the featured images are vertical, they look much like portraits. On the other hand, if they are horizontal they look similar to landscapes. This design decision is entirely dependent on which looks better for said image. This decision is also influenced by how the book itself will be held. Some illustrated books may be simply held by hand or laid out on a table, while others are much larger requiring two hands or to not be held at all. [3]
Some illustrated books may also be referred to as "coffee-table books." These form of illustrated books, while read, are mainly for decoration or design purposes. A coffee table book, also known as a cocktail table book[citation needed], is an oversized, usually hard-covered book whose purpose is for display on a table intended for use in an area in which one entertains guests and which can serve to inspire conversation or pass the time.
Future of Illustrated Books
speak about how they are today in the publishing field- are they big? do they play a big role? briefly mention how the idea or definition of illustrated books has changed- how are they viewed/seen/done today vs earlier??
Impact of Technology
fill in here
Role in the Publishing Industry
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 “A Journey Through the Evolution of Illustrations in Books:” SGS, 2 Apr. 2024, https://www.smashedgrid.com/2024/04/02/a-journey-through-the-evolution-of-illustrations-in-books/
- ↑ Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. "The Art of the Book in the Middle Ages." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1 Oct. 2001, https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-art-of-the-book-in-the-middle-ages
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Berne, Debbie. (2024). The Design of Books. University of Chicago Press: (10)
- ↑ Children’s Literature | History, Books, Types, Awards, & Facts | Britannica. 2 Oct. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/art/childrens-literature
- ↑ Godbey, Margaret J. “Illustrated Novel.” The Encyclopedia of the Novel, edited by Peter Melville Logan, 1st ed., Wiley, 2010. DOI.org (Crossref), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781444337815.wbeotni003
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "What is the Difference Between a Picture Book and an Illustrated Book?" Santos CS Bermejo, 9 May 2024, https://santosandluistobooks.com/difference-between-picture-and-illustrated-book/
- ↑ Randolph Caldecott Medal | Association for Library Service to Children. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottAccessed 20 Oct. 2025.
- ↑ "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Penguin Random House, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301943/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-by-eric-carle/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
- ↑ "Dr. Seuss." Penguin Random House, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2000585/dr-seuss/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
- ↑ "The Hobbit." Penguin Random House, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/179206/the-hobbit-by-jrr-tolkien/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
- ↑ "Charlotte's Web." Penguin Random House, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/189702/charlottes-web-by-eb-white/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
