Abstract
In recent decades, the children’s picturebook has undergone a profound transformation, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes “children’s” literature. Contemporary picture books often blur the boundaries between child and adult readerships, combining sophisticated visual narratives, intertextuality, and postmodern aesthetics that invite multiple layers of interpretation. This paper explores the extent to which modern picture books remain “for children” or have evolved into hybrid cultural artifacts that address both young and adult audiences. Through a selection of recent international examples, the study examines narrative complexity, visual irony, and thematic maturity as key indicators of this shift. The analysis also considers how these developments affect the child’s reading experience, agency, and the pedagogical potential of the picture book. Ultimately, the paper argues that the modern children’s picture book functions as a dynamic site of negotiation between simplicity and sophistication, innocence and awareness, childhood and adulthood.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Children’s Literature, Picturebooks, Crossover Texts, Visual Narrative, Childhood, Storytelling
