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Lighthouse Symbolism
The lighthouse is a multivalent, paradoxical symbol which can come in very handy when crafting stories and connecting to theme.
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Children’s Books About Atoms, Elements and the Periodic Table
The elements : a visual exploration of every known atom in the universe by Theodore Gray and Nick Mann (2009) This book has garnered a cult following with adults as much as with kids. This may partly be to do with the fact that they released an impressive app for iPad back when the iPad…
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Ship Decks in Art and Illustration
In art and storytelling, the ship deck is a stage.
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Evolution for Kids: Teaching Resources
Books for teaching evolution to children
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Fish Tank Film Study
When it comes to storytelling, certain themes are easy to get wrong. Attempts at subversion can end up reinforcing a culturally dominant message. Specifically, attempts to show the sexual vulnerability of teenage girls can tip into objectification in the wrong hands, or sometimes mostly by the people in charge of the marketing materials. When Netflix…
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Whimsy: What does it mean for a book to be whimsical?
What are the common features of popular works commonly described as ‘whimsical’? A long while ago I swapped a middle grade critique with someone who had used ‘whimsical’ in the title of their work, yet the story itself did not feel whimsical. I started to wonder about the unspoken rules of ‘whimsical’. But could I…
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Writing Activity: Describe a Gallery or Museum
In any giant museum, your goal should be to spend 5+ minutes with 10 amazing works, not 5 seconds with 1,000. Less Wrong Header painting: Leroux Jules Marie Auguste (1871-1954) At The Cluny Museum
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Two Worlds In The Same Illustration
These illustrations show two or more separate environments in a single shot.
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Buses In Art and Storytelling
Miss Harper was going home, although the night was wet and nasty. Miss Harper disliked traveling at any time, and she particularly disliked traveling on this dirty small bus, which was her only way of getting home; she had frequently complained to the bus company about their service, because it seemed that no matter where…
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A Glossary of Fairytale Words
Terms you come across when reading up on fairy tales.
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Domestic Abuse Addressed In Children’s Books
If you’re looking for children’s book which deal with domestic abuse, there are many examples at all reading levels across various genres. While young adult authors are well-known for their willingness to confront difficult subject matter head on, readers can also find domestic abuse addressed in picture books.
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Homelessness In Children’s Stories
Home-away-home. That’s the classic pattern of a children’s story. When we’re talking about stories in general, we might say the Odyssean Mythic pattern. A hero goes on a journey, meets a variety of opponents and allies along the way, then either returns home or finds a new one. Unfortunately, not all young people have a…
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A Sheltered Woman by Yiyun Li Short Story Analysis
“A Sheltered Woman” is a short story by Chinese-American writer Yiyun Li, and a subversion on the trope of the domestic suspense story. In a subcategory of these stories, an unstable woman enters the family home and threatens the family unit.
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Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg Picture Book Analysis
“Queen of the Falls” is a picture book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. Some years ago, Van Allsburg gave a TED talk on this book and the history behind it. This post will focus on the storytelling techniques.
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Sledding, Sleighs and Sleds in Storytelling and Illustration
Sleds, sledges, sleighs and toboggans in art and illustration (and what is the actual difference?)