Attention to Detail

By Sharon Giltrow

“Art is all in the details” – Christian Marclay

It’s all about the details! One of the things I love the most about writing and reading picture books is taking the time to examine the finer details of the illustrations. To be a ‘Detail Detective.”  In fact, before I read picture books to my students, I often share and talk about the illustrations. Illustrations are not only a reflection of the text; they are an addition to the text. In some picture books they even tell a different story to the text. Illustrations provide readers with clues about the plot, characters, setting and the mood. While encouraging the reader to become an active participant in the storytelling experience. In the book HECTOR AND HIS HIGHLAND DANCER, illustrator Amy Calautti shows that she is a master of details and illustrations

Hector and his Highland Dancers
Illustrated by: Amy Calautti
Written by: Anthony Sevil        
Published by: Little Pink Dog, 5th November 2020
An Australian chicken breeder, a prized, yet failed show chicken. But the discovery of the chicken’s ability to dance leads to success in a very different arena to show judging.

I asked Amy what she loved about the illustrations from HECTOR AND HIS HIGHLAND DANCERS.

A- “I love all the little details to look at and the many funny interactions between the characters.”

Now let’s be ‘Detail Detectives’ and take a closer look at Amy’s illustrations.

A- I love how some of the crowd is looking at the chickens like they're huge fans.

Sh – I love the details that Amy has added to the crowd of people, scarves, handbags, back packs, glasses. As well as the emotions shown on their faces, take a look at the person at the front of the truck, she is in awe of the performance.

A- I love the bit where the chickens are using their big slide and fighting over Sausages.

Sh- I love the attention to detail that Amy’s uses for the individual chickens are what they are doing. No two chickens are the same. And just look at the two chickens on stilts and the very fluffy chicken on the swing.

What do you love about Amy’s illustrations and her attention to details?
 
Next time you’re sharing a picture book, be sure to take time to be a ‘Detail Detective.” I promise you will be glad you did.
 
See you in October with another great Aussie book.
 
Remember share a laugh, and connect with someone today

BIO:
Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. Sharon has taught for all of her career. Previously a teacher of children who are hearing impaired and Deaf-Blind, she now teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorder. Her humorous debut PB, BEDTIME DADDY! released May 2020 - EK books. Sharon’s humorous follow up PB, GET READY, MAMA! released in April, 2022 - EK Books. Her third and fourth PB, LET’S GO SHOPPING, GRANDMA! And LET’S GO TO THE BEACH, GRANDPA! are due to be released in 2022 and 2023 - Dixi Books. SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILITY BELT, book one in Sharon’s early MG series – THE UTILITY BELT, will be released in 2023 - Clear Fork Publishing.  With book two TOBY KING AND THE UTILITY BELT to follow.
 
CONNECT:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website