Challenging and Controversial Picturebooks

It is often assumed that picturebooks are for very young readers because of their emphasis on the illustrations and their scarcity of text; however, there are increasing numbers of picturebooks where the age of the implied reader is questionable. These are picturebooks whose controversial subject matter and unconventional, often unsettling style of illustration challenge the reader, pushing them to question and probe deeper to understand what the book is about. In addition to the book challenging the reader, the reader often challenges the book in an attempt to understand what is being said.

These increasingly popular picturebooks work on many different levels; they are truly polysemic and worthy of in-depth analysis. They push the reader to ask questions and in many instances are intrinsically philosophical, often dealing with fundamental life issues. Challenging and Controversial Picturebooks examines these unconventional, non-conformist picturebooks, considering what they are, their audience and their purpose.

It also considers: * Children's and adults' thoughts on these kinds of picturebooks. * How challenging and unsettling wordless picturebooks can play with the mind and promote philosophical thought. * What creates non-conformity and strangeness ...is it the illustrations and their style, the subject matter or a combination of both? * Why certain countries create, promote and accept these picturebooks more than others.