A new global lens for viewing children's literature

Children’s literature is a complex field and when examined globally there are many trends and issues that emerge. This is especially true when illustrations are the focus. From picture books to comics and graphic novels visuals in children’s literature are being used more and more in innovative and creative ways. This chapter analyses the different trends in children’s literature within the use of such visuals. Specially examined is the idea of visual literacy, the ability to interpret images found in a text, and the impact this has on children’s reading. A new genre entitled ‘blended narratives’, a genre which incorporates elements of picture books, comics and graphic novels into a more traditional novel format, is also introduced showing how it is being found around the world. A plethora of titles from around the globe are showcased to exemplify the importance of how visual literacy and illustrations work in conjunction to tell a story and engage children in reading.