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Authors: John Marsden & Shaun Tan
Cover illustration by Shaun Tan
Publisher: Lothian Books, 1998
Cover reproduced with kind permission of Lothian Books, Victoria |
The rabbits review
An introduction to the grammar of visual design
Author and illustrator profiles
By the authors: selected references
Resources supporting visual literacy
General resources (including web sites)
Program and planning Stage 5
Aboriginal Education (in the NSW Department of Education and Training)
Credits
MARSDEN, John & TAN, Shaun
The rabbits
Lothian, 1998
ISBN 0850918782
Rabbits: they invaded, they spread, they multiplied, they changed the land forever. This clever allegory is employed to confront and challenge readers to think about the impact of alien invasion and settlement. It has potential for use in relation to such themes in Aboriginal studies at the secondary level. Marsden's taut, pared back text is powerfully interpreted and enhanced with striking illustrations by Tan, who juxtaposes strong stylised shapes with loose, free (albeit controlled) backgrounds that contain a wealth of information about the land, its nature, flora and fauna. At first glance the bold arrangement of characters and elements and spare text imply simplicity, but closer inspection reveals complexity in illustrations heavy with symbolism. This original, dramatically different and thought provoking picture book is best suited to older readers. B. Richardson
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: English; HSIE |
| SYLLABUS: Aboriginal Studies 7-10; Aboriginal Studies Stage 6; English 7-10; HSIE K-6; History 7-10 |
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Author and illustrator profiles
About our authors and illustrators
Booked out speakers agency: Shaun Tan (Brief biographical information on Shaun Tan)
Book trusted news: spotlight on Shaun Tan (A 2002 interview with Shaun Tan)
Especially for teachers-resources: Shaun Tan (Tan's 2001 conference paper delivered at the AATE/ALEA Joint National Conference)
John Marsden
Locus Online: Shaun Tan interview excerpts
Profiles: Shaun Tan
By the authors: selected references
Crew, G. & Tan, S. (2003) Memoria l, Lothian. SCIS 1117703 (To view Scan review click here)
Crew, G. & Tan, S. (2003) The viewer, Lothian. SCIS 1151371 (To view Scan review click here)
Marsden, J. (2000) Marsden on Marsden: the stories behind John Marsden's bestselling books, Pan Macmillan. SCIS 1009736. Reviewed in Scan 19(4), p. 84
Marsden, J. (1999) Prayer for the 21st century, Lothian. SCIS 1112742
Marsden, J. & Alexander, R. & Jackson, M. & Potter, H. (2000) Goodnight and thanks for the teeth, Pan. SCIS 1031330
Marsden, J. & Jackson, M. & Potter, H. (2002) The magic rainforest, Australia Post. SCIS 1110955
Marsden, J. & Rippin, S. (2003) Millie, Pan Macmillan. SCIS 1142437. Picture book, reviewed in Scan 22(1), p. 63
Marsden, J. & Smith, C. (2002) A day in the life of me, Lothian. SCIS 1095850. Picture book, reviewed in Scan 21(4), p. 62
Marsden, J. & Smith, C. & Gouldthorpe, P. & Tan, S. (2003) A day in the life of me, Norton's hut & The rabbits, Lothian. SCIS 1141384
Tan, S. (2001) The lost thing, Lothian. SCIS 1069740. Picture book, reviewed in Scan 20(1), p.59
Tan, S. (2002) The red tree, Lothian. SCIS 1109774. Picture book, reviewed in Scan 21(3), p. 68
Resources supporting visual literacy
Anstey, M. & Bull G. (2000) Reading the visual: written and illustrated children's literature, Harcourt. SCIS 1011625
Art in children's books
Callow, J. (ed.) (1999) Image matters: visual texts in the classroom, PETA. SCIS 971123 (To view Scan review click here)
Callow, J. (2000) ‘ Reading the future. Looking ahead: the future of visual literacy is here now', Scan 19(2), pp. 8-11.
Callow, J. (2000) ‘ Reading the future. The literacy demands of visual text: deconstructing a web page', Scan 19(3), pp. 15-16.
Clemens, A. & Scalen, P. (1996) Presenting visual texts: organising, creating, presenting, User Friendly Resource Enterprises. SCIS 906551
Clemens, A. & Scalen, P. (1996) Understanding visual texts: text, graphic, combining, User Friendly Resource Enterprises. SCIS 906546
Derwianka, B. (1990) Exploring how texts work, PETA. SCIS 622591
Doonan, J. (1993) Looking at pictures in picture books, Thimble Press. SCIS 752492
Dreamstone: Shaun Tan – surreal/fantasy art prints (A depiction of, and information about, They came by water)
Galagher, N. Muir, C. & Richardson, B. Ways of viewing and teaching picture books handout. From ETA Annual Conference 2002: Close encounters of the textual kind; made available here with kind permission of the ETA and authors (please credit appropriately if using or adapting)
Galagher, N. Muir, C. & Richardson, B. Ways of viewing and teaching picture books: Every picture tells a story, includes section on Vocabulary for visual literacy. From ETA Annual Conference 2002: Close encounters of the textual kind; made available here with kind permission of the ETA and authors (please credit appropriately if using or adapting)
GLEESON, Libby
Making picture books
Scholastic, 2003
ISBN 1865045152 [741.6]
Such a manual is increasingly relevant for English teachers with the new 7-10 syllabus incorporating picture books, and Stage 6 students creating and deconstructing them in major projects. This authoritative and stylish resource comprises specific picture book advice, plus useful general points about writing narratives and writing techniques. Gleeson clearly explains grammar issues, the use of rhythm and rhyme, and the creation of mood, as well as the practical process of putting a book together. Writers and illustrators explain at length the complementary process of picture book making, and Gleeson offers an interesting case study of The great bear. The text does not deal with publishing issues; its aim is to show the making process, and in that it succeeds very well. C. Thomas
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Community Professional
KLA: English |
| SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 6 Extension 2 |
SCIS 1150350 |
Higgins, S. (2002) ‘Using visual texts to enhance storytelling', Scan 21(1), pp. 4-7.
International Visual Literacy Association
Kress, G. & van Leeuwen, T. (1996) Reading images: the grammar of visual design, Routledge. SCIS 997270
Moline, S. (2000) ‘Visualising information', Scan 19(2), pp 12-16.
National Gallery of Victoria (The E. Phillips Fox painting Landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay, 1770, which is parodied by Tan's scene They came by water, is depicted on this web site)
Notes on creating a visual interpretive analysis
Ottley, M. (2002) ‘Picture books: beneath the skin', Scan 21(2), pp. 6-13.
Patterson, C. (2002) ‘Reading the pictures: connecting visual literacy and evidence based practice', Scan, 21(3), pp. 4-11. (Includes suggested activities for selected 2002 shortlisted books)
Picturing books
Quin, R. & McMahon, B. & Quin, R. (1997) In the picture: reading visual language, Curriculum Corporation. SCIS 893677
Quin, R. & McMahon, B. & Quin, R. (1997) Picture this: reading visual language, Curriculum Corporation. SCIS 903644
Quin, R. & McMahon, B. & Quin, R. (1995) Teaching viewing and visual texts, Secondary, Curriculum Corporation. SCIS 856772
Spence, B. (2002) ‘The literacy demands of visual text: reading the pictures', Scan 21(2), pp. 4-5. Go to an extract and proforma.
The on-line visual literacy project
The result of a university course entitled The principles of visual literacy , this site presents information about the significance of visual awareness as a key element to communication. The site opens with an animated graphic requiring Quicktime. A succinct, general introduction to visual literacy follows listing basic elements: Dot; Line; Shape; Directio; Texture; Hue; Saturation; Value; Scale; Dimension; and Motion. Each is given a detailed description and is well supported by graphics and animated images drawn from art, motion pictures, print advertising and other media. For each page, References provides a comprehensive list of text and image sources. Teachers will find this site invaluable in developing an understanding of the various elements of the composition of graphics, and their significance in positioning viewers in a particular way. T. Patterson
USER LEVEL: Professional
KLA: English
SYLLABUS: English K-6; English 7-10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Visual literacy
KEYWORDS: Visual literacy; visual text
PUBLISHER: Pomona College, USA |
| REVIEW DATE: 3/6/02 [701] |
SCIS 1093367 |
Viewing for learning (1995) [videorecording] Literacy and Learning Curriculum Corporation. SCIS 849160
Viewing through picture books (Part of the Western Australian Department of Education site, with links to other articles and resources)
Visual literacy & picture books
General Resources
1999 Courier-Mail young reviewers (A review by a Year 7 student)
Aboriginal Education K-12: resource guide . (2003), Professional Support and Curriculum Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training.
Atkins, H. (2001) ‘Community participation through book raps at Nowra Public School ', Scan 20(1), pp. 3-15.
Bowie, B. & Mackinnon, G. (2000) ‘Book raps: be tempted', Scan 19(1), pp. 4-5.
Constructing a joint response guide
Drew-Smythe, D. ‘Telling I. T. – like it was', also ‘Related reviews to support Aboriginal Studies K-12', Scan 22(2), pp. 5-8.
‘Integrating technology in teaching and learning: reflections on recent book raps”, Scan 20(3) August 2001 , pp. 8-15.
Longworth, A. (2000) ‘Book rapping at Hay War Memorial High School ', Scan 19(1), pp. 10-11.
Lothian Books (Click on the Teacher' notes and select The rabbits)
Our story: telling I.T. (2003), Professional Support and Curriculum Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training (Quality Teacher program). CD-ROM available free to NSW government schools.
Pauline McLeod: Aboriginal perspective on storytelling
Scheffers, J. & Bohman, J. (2003) ‘Evidence based practice at Marayong Public School : The enhancement of student learning through participation in a book rap', Scan 22(1), pp.10-12.
Taylor , K. (2000) ‘The Maddie book rap at Barham High School ', Scan 19(1), pp. 6-7.
Viewpoint: University of Melbourne: bonus reading (Analytical comment of the 1999 CBC Book of the year awards)
Credits
Thanks to Di Veersema, HT English, Judy Noad, English, and Lee Cutler, teacher-librarian, Macintyre High School, for developing the programming and support material for this rap, and to Kerry Underhill, Senior Curriculum Adviser, English 7-12.
Additional resources provided by the School Libraries and Information Literacy unit.
This rap is a joint project of the School Libraries and Information Literacy and English Units, Curriculum K-12 Directorate.
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