Challenging and Controversial Picturebooks ─ Creative and Critical Responses to Visual Texts

Many people assume that picturebooks are for very young readers because of their emphasis on the illustrations and scarcity of text however, there are increasing numbers of picturebooks where the age of the implied reader is questionable. These are picturebooks whose controversial subject matter and unconventional, often unsettling style of illustration challenge the reader, pushing them to question and probe deeper to understand what the book is about. In addition to the book challenging the reader, the reader often challenges the book in an attempt to understand what is being said.

These increasingly popular picturebooks work on many different levels, they are truly polysemic and worthy of in-depth analysis. They push the reader to ask questions and in many instances are intrinsically philosophical, dealing with fundamental issues which often form the basis of life.

Challenging and Controversial Picturebooks uniquely focuses on these ambiguous works; exploring what they are, who their audience is and what purpose they serve. Amongst other things this book will consider:

• Childrens' and adults' views and responses challenging picturebooks.
• When does controversial and strange become ordinary.
• How these books can promote thinking skills and oral response/debate.
• International perspectives - why some picturebooks are accepted in some countries more than others.
• Picturebooks and censorship.

Janet Evans is a recognised expert in picturebook research. This latest edited volume, with contributions from international experts in the field, explores the work of a number of highly respected, international picturebook authors to include amongst others: Perry Nodelman, Sandra Beckett, Sylvia Pantaleo and Bettina Kummerling-Meibauer. The book concludes with a unique interview with the legendary Klaus Flugge, one of the very few remaining independent children's book publishers in the country and will be an indispensable reference for all interested in or working with picturebooks, including researchers, students in higher and teacher education, English advisors/inspectors, literacy consultants and classroom teachers.

Janet Evans is an Independent Scholar, freelance Literacy and Educational Consultant, and former Senior Lecturer in Education at Liverpool Hope University, UK.