Students explore the connection between the visual and literary arts by learning about the long history behind today’s graphic novels. Students investigate how graphic novels carefully balance between narratives told through images and words, and how line, color, composition, visual pacing and tone contribute a text’s meaning.
What is a Graphic Novel?
A Graphic Novel is a Comic Book only longer. The big difference is that when you write a comic book, it is usually put out in monthly installments. In graphic novel form, the book is complete. Whatever you call it, it’s simply storytelling with the art advancing the story, rather than illustrating the text, as in the classic storybook.
A Graphic Novel is a Comic Book only longer. The big difference is that when you write a comic book, it is usually put out in monthly installments. In graphic novel form, the book is complete. Whatever you call it, it’s simply storytelling with the art advancing the story, rather than illustrating the text, as in the classic storybook.
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PICTURE BOOKS- THE RABBITS
THE ILLUSTRATOR
Shaun Tan is the author and illustrator of The Arrival, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, both of which have won international awards such as the Honourable Mention in the Bologna Ragazzi Prices, were CBCA Honour Books and have been widely translated. Previous books
Shaun has illustrated includes the The Rabbits by John Marsden (CBCA Picture Book of the Year) and with Gary Crew, Memorial (A CBCA Honour Book) and The Viewer (winner of the Crichton Award for illustration). In 2001 Shaun received the 'World Fantasy Best Artist Award' for his body of work.
INTRODUCTION
This sophisticated and compelling book is an excellent example of how a picture book can challenge and engage maturing minds.
The story, in the form of an allegory which makes a powerful statement about colonisation in general and the colonisation of Australia in particular, but more universal comments about this and many other issues can be interpreted.
PLOT
At first the inhabitants, although mystified, are able to be philosophical about the newcomers who have come to their land. The illustrations cleverly mirror and interpret the progression of the text. The wisdom of the elders suggests a distinct wariness because these new people are different.
Then comes the ominous building up of numbers: The fact that the new arrivals have new and different ways is emphasized, but still there is a tolerance on the part of the original inhabitants.
The negatives are emphasised in the illustrations by an insertion of a monochrome portion of the page which impinges on the main story.
There is a feeling of helplessness as the invaders take over. The starkness of the illustrations reflects the feeling of impending doom. Then the sheer weight of numbers of newcomers results in fighting. This is portrayed brilliantly by the fragmentation of the page into separate pictures showing different episodes.
The text, in its minimalist manner, states the inevitable and the design of the book adds to every aspect of the unfolding of the concepts. Then comes the juxtaposition of the new order with the old — the conquerors above and the defeated, in bondage, below.
The new order ‘progresses’, destroying all that mattered to the original inhabitants coupled with the horror of the loss of the most precious thing — the children; the future.
Now there are the conquerors everywhere: A wall‐to‐wall illustration covering the page edge to edge shows this with some colour reappearing to indicate that this is the new status quo; order, alignment, MIGHT = RIGHT.
THE ILLUSTRATOR
Shaun Tan is the author and illustrator of The Arrival, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, both of which have won international awards such as the Honourable Mention in the Bologna Ragazzi Prices, were CBCA Honour Books and have been widely translated. Previous books
Shaun has illustrated includes the The Rabbits by John Marsden (CBCA Picture Book of the Year) and with Gary Crew, Memorial (A CBCA Honour Book) and The Viewer (winner of the Crichton Award for illustration). In 2001 Shaun received the 'World Fantasy Best Artist Award' for his body of work.
INTRODUCTION
This sophisticated and compelling book is an excellent example of how a picture book can challenge and engage maturing minds.
The story, in the form of an allegory which makes a powerful statement about colonisation in general and the colonisation of Australia in particular, but more universal comments about this and many other issues can be interpreted.
PLOT
At first the inhabitants, although mystified, are able to be philosophical about the newcomers who have come to their land. The illustrations cleverly mirror and interpret the progression of the text. The wisdom of the elders suggests a distinct wariness because these new people are different.
Then comes the ominous building up of numbers: The fact that the new arrivals have new and different ways is emphasized, but still there is a tolerance on the part of the original inhabitants.
The negatives are emphasised in the illustrations by an insertion of a monochrome portion of the page which impinges on the main story.
There is a feeling of helplessness as the invaders take over. The starkness of the illustrations reflects the feeling of impending doom. Then the sheer weight of numbers of newcomers results in fighting. This is portrayed brilliantly by the fragmentation of the page into separate pictures showing different episodes.
The text, in its minimalist manner, states the inevitable and the design of the book adds to every aspect of the unfolding of the concepts. Then comes the juxtaposition of the new order with the old — the conquerors above and the defeated, in bondage, below.
The new order ‘progresses’, destroying all that mattered to the original inhabitants coupled with the horror of the loss of the most precious thing — the children; the future.
Now there are the conquerors everywhere: A wall‐to‐wall illustration covering the page edge to edge shows this with some colour reappearing to indicate that this is the new status quo; order, alignment, MIGHT = RIGHT.
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QUESTIONS
Read the book. Jot down some words to indicate what you felt after an initial reading. What words come to mind?
What is an allegory?. Find other allegories — see if you can find some in picture book format.
This book is clearly not about rabbits. What do you think it is about?
Why do you think The Rabbits was chosen as the title of the book? Give reasons for your answer. How are they depicted?
There is a paucity of words in this book, yet they are used with tremendous effect. Find examples where words are used unusually to convey a concept. Explain what effect those words have.
The illustrations go a long way towards helping the reader interpret the text. Take one page and examine it closely. Give a detailed account of what you can glean from the illustrations.
Look at the way in which the invaders are depicted and how the image of them alters as the book progresses. What effect does this have on the reader? What impressions do you get of the newcomers at first? Show how the illustrator makes us change our initial response.
Many symbols are used by the illustrator throughout the book. Find some and say what you think they are portraying and why the artist has used them.
What does the cover suggest? Comment further.
How is the desolation, destruction and despair depicted by the illustrator?
Look more closely at the way in which the book has been designed. The end papers depict a natural scene of tranquility, in stark contrast to the remainder of the illustrations. Explain what effect they are intended to have — why they are there?
Often the visuals create a particular impression. Choose an illustration (it can be a double page spread) and say what you got from it.
From whose point of view is the story told? Examine the ways in which the illustrations show the inevitable outcome of this invasion.
There is a very strong environmental message in this book. Expand on this.
Are there messages about multiculturalism in The Rabbits?
What are some recurring themes in the paintings? Find some and explain their function. Look at John Marsden’s dedication at the front of the book: ‘To Brian Farran, who cares about these matters’. What matters do you think the author means?
Read the book. Jot down some words to indicate what you felt after an initial reading. What words come to mind?
What is an allegory?. Find other allegories — see if you can find some in picture book format.
This book is clearly not about rabbits. What do you think it is about?
Why do you think The Rabbits was chosen as the title of the book? Give reasons for your answer. How are they depicted?
There is a paucity of words in this book, yet they are used with tremendous effect. Find examples where words are used unusually to convey a concept. Explain what effect those words have.
The illustrations go a long way towards helping the reader interpret the text. Take one page and examine it closely. Give a detailed account of what you can glean from the illustrations.
Look at the way in which the invaders are depicted and how the image of them alters as the book progresses. What effect does this have on the reader? What impressions do you get of the newcomers at first? Show how the illustrator makes us change our initial response.
Many symbols are used by the illustrator throughout the book. Find some and say what you think they are portraying and why the artist has used them.
What does the cover suggest? Comment further.
How is the desolation, destruction and despair depicted by the illustrator?
Look more closely at the way in which the book has been designed. The end papers depict a natural scene of tranquility, in stark contrast to the remainder of the illustrations. Explain what effect they are intended to have — why they are there?
Often the visuals create a particular impression. Choose an illustration (it can be a double page spread) and say what you got from it.
From whose point of view is the story told? Examine the ways in which the illustrations show the inevitable outcome of this invasion.
There is a very strong environmental message in this book. Expand on this.
Are there messages about multiculturalism in The Rabbits?
What are some recurring themes in the paintings? Find some and explain their function. Look at John Marsden’s dedication at the front of the book: ‘To Brian Farran, who cares about these matters’. What matters do you think the author means?