On the cover of "The Rabbits", the choice of images is interesting because of the unusual and surreal way things are portrayed. We think the clocks represent the time there is until the fighting between the rabbits and possums begin. The way the boat curves up at the front plus the windows shows the tall buildings that would be erected. The streamers blowing off the sails gives the impression of power lines, and therefore electricity and power. The wings on the top of the boat show the rabbits idea of peace. The chimneys represent the pollution and industrialisation the rabbits are bringing with them.
It is obvious that the rabbits find themselves superior to the possums because of the way they are standing. Their hats and jackets show authority. Also, the rabbits are larger than "normal" and in the foreground, making it seem like they are more important. It is obvious they are portraying Europeans because rabbits are European animals. The wheels on the sides of the boat show how the society is moving along and that there is plenty more rabbits still to come.
Perspective is used on the cover to create depth and space. It makes the boat and rabbits seem very large and intimidating, and the possums seem small and far away.
The font used appears to be Gothic. The "I" is like a candle. The "T" looks like a Christian cross and the "A" depicts a Gothic church window. The "B", "S" and "R" are written in plain text.This is all very effective.
The colours used on the covers show that the rabbits are mysterious creatures. The colours on the ship show that it is aged. This suggests that the rabbits home country is very developed. The dark, dull colours of the earth and sky make the scene seem scary and threatening.
Everything in the painting leads our eyes to the possums on the hill in the distance. The rabbits in the foreground are looking and pointing towards the shore also. This works very well in drawing our eye to the possums.
Overall, we think that the cover is a very effective way of introducing the book, as it uses all the techniques well to describe what the book is about, and really gets you thinking about the way illustrators use symbols, colours etc. to help describe things in picture form.
Carmen, Rebecca, Kimberly, Sarah, Luke, and Skye
Forbes High School
