Round Trip

Round Trip
Picture Book Shelves-Lower Level JON


Recently, I was talking with a fellow library worker about the importance of picture books, especially regarding the recent article in the New York Times about the declining popularity of the picture book. The idea of words and pictures together opens up children's minds to different ways of reading. There are picture books for adults, too. We call them Graphic Novels.

She recommended this picture book, Round Trip, as an example of what could be accomplished within the framework of the picture book. Round Trip is phenomenal. The story is relatively simple, with prose details that mainly serve to further the graphic element of the book. However, the book is interactive. Once one is done reading the book, one simply flips it over and reads it the other way. The simple, black and white illustrations are transformed into completely different images before your eyes.

I never read this book growing up, and had never heard of Ann Jonas before. As an adult, I really appreciate the art that went into this book and highly recommend it for children of all ages. Even grown up ones.