This assignment will begin by defining and examining the history of the postmodern picture book. It will examine what defines these books and how they combine text, images, and paratext to create a story that is meaningful to both adults and children. Analysis of the picture book “Voices in the Park,” by Anthony Browne, will illustrate the use of text, images, and parody; it is also a good example of intertextuality and non-linearity. It will use the postmodern picture book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak to analyze the reasons for their appeal to different age groups, looking in particular at their design and use of space. The assignment will conclude by identifying the elements necessary for a successful postmodern picture book and how they appeal to both adults and children. Defining the term postmodern is very difficult, we can start by saying that it is representative of the present, of today's society. Bette Goldstone in "Postmodern Experiments" describes him as exemplifying society's ethical values, passing them on to future generations. Goldstone recognizes that picture books give the author and reader a stage to interpret the stories through the flexibility of images and words. Picture books are rapidly growing into a “more sophisticated genre” than before (Goldstone, 2008, p. 321). A postmodern picture book is a specific genre of picture books. They are seen as different from anything that came before them; this could be described as requiring the reader's involvement in constructing the meaning of the text and images. Many books have little text and allow the reader and illustrations to tell the story, such as in "Re-Zoom", by Istvan Banyai which has no text but is described by Goldsto...... middle of paper... ...a little scary, which appeals to children. This reflects Max's imagination and his anger. The postmodern picture book can be read again and again, each time the reader discovers something new, no matter how old it may be. ReferencesBrowne, A. (1999 [1998]) Voices in the Park. London: Picture Corgi. Browne, A, 2010, “The Children's Laureate” available at http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/Anthony-Browne Accessed 03/10/11 Goldstone, B. (2009) “Postmodern Experiments” in Maybin, J. and Watson, NJ (eds.) Children's literature: approaches and territories. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 321.EA300 DVD 2, no. 6 “An Introduction to Illustration: Martin Salisbury.”EA 300 DVD 2, no. 7 “Interview with Anthony Browne.” Handler Spitz, H, 2010, Postmodern at Bedtime. Available: http://www.tnr.com/book/review/postmodern-bedtime Accessed 13/03/2011