In Pictures and In Words - Chapter 10: Tone

This week's topic of Tone, had a little bit of a twist to it.  When, like many of use, think of the word tone, we often think about the 'tone of our voice'.  It was interesting to see how tone can be played into illustrations and the meaning that it can give it's readers.  If tone is used right, it does set the tone for the book to be enjoyed by the readers.  

Many different techniques were shared in this book.  In trying to think about the different books that I have shared with my classes in the past 10+ years, two techniques stood out for books that are classroom favorites. 


Technique 33: Shifting Tone by Shifting Color
Tone can be all about the colors of the books.  Color is what gets the readers attention and often portrays the mood of the characters/plot of the book.  One book that comes to mind about the shifting of colors is We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

The book is illustrated by using watercolors/colored pencils to portray a soft contrast but then at different parts of the book, the illustrations are black and white.  Showing the different parts of the story from the stanza of the story to the different actions that the family is doing through their hunting adventure.  The kids love listening to this book and they also like to act it out.


Technique 35: Crafting Tone with Size
I am not to familiar with this book, but it came to mind as soon as I began how the size can set the tone for the book.  Hey, Little Ant by Phillip & Hannah Hoose

Just by looking at the cover, you can feel the set of the tone of the book by seeing the size different of the boy to the ant.  And if I remember right, in the book the role is reversed and the ant at one time is the larger object and the boy is ant size.  It's been awhile since I really looked at this book.  


I have enjoyed being part of this book study and finding different ways to look at writing in a different way in which I can teach my students to look at writing differently as well.  I've enjoyed reading all of your book selections and thoughts about the different chapters.  Thank you Deanna Jump for hosting this week. Hop on over to her blog to see what others are saying about Tone. I look forward to sharing with you next week!