Tag: Hannah Marks

Picture Book List: 12 Books that (Wonderfully!) Break the Fourth Wall

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Lists1 Comment

See the source imageOne of the books we (quite literally) wore out in our family was The Monster at the End of this Book written by Jon Stone and illustrated by Michael Smolin. My kids simply loved how Grover “talked” to them from the pages, begging them not to keep reading because he was 100% sure that at the end of the book, there’d be a monster. Yikes! As a parent reading with my kids, I loved how when Grover asked my kids questions (like “Do you know that you are very strong?”), my kids always roared and flexed their little girl muscles in response. Fun for everyone!

For those who like fancy terms, we’re talking about a type of metafiction here, meaning a book that’s fully aware that it’s a book, which allows the author and/​or illustrator to play with the normal conventions of a book. (Here are some wise words and explanations about breaking the fourth wall from Romelle Broas’ blog.) When used in a picture book, breaking the fourth wall often results in a great read-​aloud experience since kids are invited to be part of the plot. Who doesn’t want to join in with a terrific story, right?

I went through my PB bookshelf the other day with the idea of organizing them not by title or author name, but by type of book. And what I found was this–I have a LOT of books that break the fourth wall.

So, here are a few OPB favorites, plus a couple of ones you might not yet know, but surely will come to love. Did I miss your favorite? If so, tell me in the comments. I’ll make sure to get a copy so I can add it to my Fourth Wall shelf.

Six Classic Fourth-Wall-Breakers

See the source imageThe Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

He was terrific as Ryan the Temp in The Office, but he’s proven to be equally amusing as a picture book writer, too. Wait until the adults have to say “BLORK” or “GLIBBITY GLOBBITY” or “BLURRF”! Fun, fun, fun.

 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

If you’ve ever felt that some crayons–like some people–don’t get their fair shake, then this book will prove satisfying. My fav is green, the real people-​pleaser of the entire box. You’ll never look at crayons the same way again!

 

See the source imageDon’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

The fact that it’s a Caldecott Honor winner is reason enough to give it a shot. But kids LOVE being put in charge, and that’s what the bus driver does when he has to step out. And wow, that pigeon is willing to do or say anything to get his shot behind the wheel. Good, silly fun all around.

 

See the source imageHarold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

This timeless classic–written 60+ years ago–still lands well with readers today. As Harold takes his oversized crayon through the woods and past dragons before returning to bed, we see just how wonderful one’s imagination can be.

 

See the source imagePress Here by Hervé Tullet

Kids who appreciate tactile interactions will love this book, which asks them to push buttons, shake the book, tilt it, and more. You might want to consider the board book version so you can be sure it’ll survive all the physical interactions. My nephew is wearing out his copy fast–it doesn’t sit for more than a day on his bookshelf before he’s enjoying it again.

 

See the source imageZ is for Moose by Kelly Bingham

Zebra wants the alphabet to be simple. A is for apple, etc., but Moose is far too excited to wait his turn. This comedy of errors is loads of fun that’s made all the better by Caldecott medalist Paul Zelinsky’s outrageous images.

 

Six Wall-​Busting Picture Books You Might Not Know
(But Definitely Should!)

See the source imageThis Book Is Magic by Ashley Evanson

If you like Tullet’s Press Here, then this book is a must-​read. Tap a hat to make a bunny appear. Utter the words to a spell to make a book–POOF–get bigger! Just watch out, though. Magic tricks don’t always end up the way one expects!

 

See the source imageThis Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

Want to learn what the gutter of a book is? You will in Richard Byrne’s book., because this girl’s poor pooch disappears in the gutter—the gap between pages in the center. It’ll take far more than a hard tug on the leash to make things go right in this curious story.

 

See the source imageCan You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

This bossy little ladybug will keep readers having fun. The bold, cartoon style and wild, bright backdrops help make this a memorable, vivid reading experience. Wiggling, blowing, doing the chicken dance? There’s a lot of kid fun here.

Be warned, though–this is not a good book for quiet time. Kids will make a lot of noise.

 

See the source imageTap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

In this fine book, readers are asked to interact with a tree. Every page turn rewards that action, with the tree changing in some manner. While many fourth wall breakers are more about fun than anything else, this one invites contemplation and reflection.

 

See the source imageThe Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood (lllustrated by Hannah Marks)

We all know how stories work, right? So does the narrator in this story, only Panda isn’t playing along. What’s a narrator to do now?

Check out the OPB review of this title for more details.

 

See the source imageWolves by Emily Gravett

Rabbits shouldn’t believe what they read in fairy tales, and neither should you. This story is pro-​library and pro-​fun. And if it seems a bit too dark at times, there’s a bonus alternate ending for the sensitive reader.

 

Picture Book Review: The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

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The Panda Problem
Author: Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Hannah Marks
Dial Books
2 April 2019
48 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Biggest Panda Fan at Only Picture Books) and OPB review newcomer, Florida author-​illustrator Loreen Leedy.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

One thing that we’ve come to expect from Underwood’s books is how stories themselves are often part of the story. In her latest picture book, The Panda Problem, that’s exactly what’s happening. A Narrator (yes, that’s with a capital N since this one’s quite the active character here) is trying to set up a story about Panda in a “beautiful bamboo grove,” but despite the Narrator’s insistence that a main character has to have a problem, Panda claims to not have one. “Looks like you’re the one with a problem, buddy,” Panda explains to the Narrator.

The story gets fairly chaotic from there in a fun way that will delight readers, especially once the setting moves far from the bamboo grove. Thankfully, the art clearly showcases the two distinct voices. Panda’s words are always in cartoon-​style speech bubbles, and those by the Narrator look like regular text on the page, which gives the words an adult, authorial seriousness to them. Together, they create a fast-​paced dialogue that roars along as Panda tries to help make the story, well, a story. Sort of.

A bonus is that Underwood includes plenty of kid-​pleasing sound effects, as well (witness a spider who says “BRAAAAP!” and the GLUG GLUG SLOSH of Panda’s paper boat wipeout).

While other picture book authors have had characters who wrest control of the story from a narrator/​author, Underwood’s adorable Panda does it in a fun, memorable way that doesn’t get overly meta and also introduces readers to storytelling techniques (such as dialogue and the escalation of stakes).

Even though I’m an admitted panda bear fan, this is a highly entertaining, witty read regardless.

4.25 out of 5 pencils

– Loreen’s Review of the Illustrations–

The premise of this cheeky picture book can be found on the book jacket as Panda disputes the title The Panda Problem right on the front cover by asking, “What problem?” Mysterious round purple characters hint at mysteries to unfold. On the back cover, Panda is smirking after drawing a line through the floating headline NO PROBLEM, NO STORY and rewriting it as NO STORY, NO PROBLEM!

Continuing the theme, the front flap copy originally stated that the author “…puts readers in control of this story.” However, our main character has revised it to read “…puts readers PANDA in control of this story.” The back flap copy has likewise been extensively revised by the irrepressible bear.

The color scheme is at first limited to black, white, olive greens, and purple only. The digitally painted illustrations include bamboo stalks with a subtle cloth texture and energetic dry brushed leaves, while Panda has loosely drawn line work enclosing the white parts of the body. Backgrounds are primarily white space in the beginning of the book, keeping the focus on Panda and the argument with the Narrator about whether or not Panda needs a story problem to be solved. The empty white space can also be an indication of the (seemingly) unfinished state the story is in.

As the debate continues, one spread is filled with possible problems proposed by the Narrator such as “Are you afraid of spiders?” or “Is your paw sore?” and Panda’s repeated answers, “Nope.” Once they’re mentioned, comical spiders appear in the artwork. The Narrator’s words are in a clean sans serif font while Panda speaks with lively handwritten words inside expressive speech balloons with oval, undulating, or spiky shapes. When the Narrator gets especially frustrated, her words are set in ALL CAPS.

Rich photographic textures add interest and additional colors to the illustrations, such as woven fibers in a hammock, wood grain in a banjo, and crumpled paper in a sailboat. As Panda induces a multi-​hued torrent of jelly beans by merely mentioning the possibility, the Narrator loses control of events. At this point the aliens arrive, portrayed as happy purple fuzzballs who accompany Panda to Antarctica.

The scenes become increasingly chaotic as spiders, penguins, aliens, and (suddenly) twin pandas sail across the icy waters then are shipwrecked. Panda’s worried face is seen in extreme close-​up while finally giving in and admitting there’s a problem. After wailing about their hunger and the complete lack of bamboo in Antarctica, the two pandas make a deal for the Narrator to take over again, sort of. The last page is blank except for the Narrator’s final, satisfying word.

Self-​taught illustrator and designer Hannah Marks lives and works in England; The Panda Problem is her first picture book released in the United States. The design of the type and illustrations perfectly complement and extend the concepts within about the power of words, creativity, writing, characters, illustration, and of course, story problems.

4 out of 5 crayons

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Loreen Leedy is the author-​illustrator of more than 40 popular picture books that have received many rave reviews and honors. Her titles such as Measuring Penny, Amazing Plant Powers, and Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story often include math, science, and language arts content. Her most recent book, Step by Step, features footprints made by baby animals including a puppy, duckling, and fawn in a page-​turning question and answer format. It makes an appealing nonfiction choice for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade age levels.

To see Loreen’s work and download free book activity printables, please visit www.LoreenLeedy.com.