An Analysis of the Semiotic Resources of Contemporary Movable Picturebooks

Abstract

Although research has been published on the history of movable books (also referred to as pop-up books) ranging from early volvelles, to accordion books, to other threedimensional texts, the materiality of picturebooks , research on the semiotic resources, including interactive and design features, visual images, written text, and the materiality of contemporary movable books, has not been forthcoming. Research on children's literature, specifically research on contemporary picturebooks, needs to consider the range of interactive, tactile, visual, and textual modalities available to authors, illustrators, and designers of movable picturebooks and their potential role as pedagogical resources for engaging developing readers' attention and interest. This article presents an analysis of semiotic resources focusing on the material, interactional, and design resources used to represent visual and textual narratives in contemporary, award-winning movable picturebooks.