Modern Good Reads discussion

I was curious how much of an impact the illustrations of a children's book played into your purchase. Does it weigh as much in your mind as the words and story?

I have certain sentimental styles of art that I loved when I was a child. One style was the sketch type with little detail. The inside art of King of the Wind, Misty and Stormy Misty's Foal are examples of sketch art. Another type was the "Fairy" type art that was very whimsical. I've hoarded those though when I showed it to a modern child, he said, giving me a pitied expression "Oh, those are fashioned," meaning they were "Old Fashioned." His idea of good art in books is Harry Potter covers.

I agree, sometimes the things that we love are what we grew up with, and the new things that grab attention are a bit more developed... does that leave less room to the imagination...

I also love when the illustrations add new discussion points to the book as well.

Just in terms of reading to my 19 month old son, what I like most is for there to be something not obvious on each page that he can point to. One book we bought in a 99 cent store, which is otherwise cute but nothing mind-blowing in terms of the illustrations, has a ladybug on every page. It's not always the first thing you see, though it is red, so he finds it. And in the end, the story culminates in the characters discovering a friend giggling and covered in ladybugs. For a book that's hardly a childhood classic, it's one of my absolute favorites, because it's so fun to read with my son. With each page I ask, "Where's the ladybug?" and he finds it, and he's just delighted when we get to that last illustration.

I love the illustrations in children's books. The kids point at the different personalities, animals, things that are written on the page facing, to identify with the story.
Some illustrations are so beautiful that I'm unable to part with the book. One such book is 'Tiger Flower'. Do take a look if you have the chance.

Sophia wrote: "Just in terms of reading to my 19 month old son, what I like most is for there to be something not obvious on each page that he can point to. One book we bought in a 99 cent store, which is otherwi..."

I agree, Sophia, my kids always loved 'finding' things on pages. I also love it when illustrations have an intelligence to them, slipped in for the adults who have to read them over and over! If the illustrations are not that good, I often read with my eyes closed!!

Me personally, I love certain art styles.

If a book has poor quality art, be it childrens or any book for that matter, it just turns me away.

But, despite what my wife says, I am not a kid anymore. So, I think we need a few kids in this survey.

For me, the illustrations are the first thing to catch my attention (that goes for cover art on adult books too). I know that I'm not supposed to judge a book by it's cover ~ but we live in a visual world, so I am a slave to my eyes. :) My two sons (7 and 2) both gravitate towards bold illustrations that tell a story along with the dialog. Both my boys adore going to the book store and will sit and "picture walk" a book before choosing the ones they will buy that day. My 7 year old said (when I just asked him) "a book doesn't have to have good pictures to be good, but if you want me to read it or look at it over and over, it should have nice pictures in it" From the mouth of a budding book worm :)

I'm having the fun of my life these days. I'm coaching a hyper active, hyper intelligent nine-year-old foriegn student in English, to prepare for his new, school year in London. He loves reading and has heaps of children's books with illustratations, in colour and b-and-w. He comments on the stories, and delights in the illustrations. He has 'The Magic Tree House' series, 'The Grunts', book 1 and 2, and a series of short biographies of famous people. Oh yes! He loves illustrations, and judging by him, I'd say it's wise for children's book writers to add pictures.

Yes, illustrations are important in children's books. I remember the illustrations in books I read as a child and the of them memories invoke passages or phrases from the story. As an adult I think that the quality should be good, but as a child myself - no. Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat had very scratchy illustrations, but I still remember the magic of them. That was my favourite book and I loved everything about it.

Yes. Absolutely. Illustrations capture and hold their interest, or scare them away.

I agree! The art needs to capture you from the cover, and extend throughout the book with variety and quality.

What I find that is interesting is the difference in styles between the books my parents read to me and the ones I read to my kids.

When I used to buy books for my kids (I never try now, it's invariably wrong) the quality was essential. It's easy to grasp if the story is going to be good, so the artwork and style of the book was key to my decision. Glossy was always good for a reason. I used to go for pop up books and ones with textiles in it, too.

The quality of illustrations is extremely important, but that doesn't mean they have to be elaborate or unique. I know a lot of people love Eric Carle's books because of the illustrations and I've never understood what was so great about them. (As I reader I don't really care how much effort went into the illustrations. I'm just as happy with Shel Silverstein's funny sketches.) If Eric Carle's books were accompanied by a unique story, then that's different, but they really aren't. Don't mean to pick on him - just his books are the first ones that came to mind. Feeling like I'm just rambling now so I'll say, in short, illustrations are important but not as important as the story.