Literary Devices in Picture Books

January 24, 2024

Hey, folks!

Do you remember in grade school or high school English class where you’d have to memorize a bunch of literary devices? I had so many printouts over the years of those things. Memorizing them was a bit of a pain, but it was a task given, so it was a task done (at least for me).

But now you’ve decided to write a children’s picture book. That’s an exciting endeavour! And one that requires dusting off those literary device sheets.

Some of you may be wondering, but Kaila, if I’m not writing in rhyme, does it matter?

Yes.

Literary devices are so integral to any style of writing, but some are key in picture books. They help make funny books funnier, sad books easier to understand, and new words easier to learn. They can even make it easier to learn how to read!

Let’s take a look at some you can implement.

Rhyme

This may be one of the most obvious ones. Lots of picture books rhyme, so it’s a standout device. But whether you’re writing in verse or in prose, rhyming is your friend.

I did a post last year on poetry lingo, which includes rhyme – an integral element for a picture book in verse. I won’t go through all the details again, but you can check out that post here.

Even when you’re not writing in verse, the odd rhyme thrown in to a prose book can make things fun and unexpected! Maybe you have a little refrain that rhymes throughout, lines that you want the audience to pay special attention to. Or maybe there are internal rhymes you can throw in to make a chaotic scene bouncier.

Repetition

Speaking of refrains, did you know repetition can help with reading comprehension?

When a child can anticipate what’s coming, they essentially “read along.” Eventually, that “reading along” drops the quotation marks, and the child starts to truly understand what’s in front of them and how to read it. It can also help make the point of the story clearer, or can act as a benchmark or signifier for something happening in the story.

This repetition can be words or sentences, but it can also be images (literally or figuratively), sounds (see below for more!), or events.

Onomatopoeia

Boom! Crash! Bang! Meow! Any sound written as a word (like these four examples) is an onomatopoeia. Using them makes things livelier! But make sure they’re used appropriately – you may use them in a book about a jumping frog learning his way in the world through play, but you probably wouldn’t use them in a book about grief or divorce.

Similes and Metaphors

Some people may view these as more advanced literary concepts, especially metaphors, but they don’t have to be.

Similes (comparisons using “like” or “as”) and metaphors (comparisons without “like” or “as”) are just as accessible to kids, and can help them understand new concepts. The key is to make them child-friendly. Don’t compare to anything a kid wouldn’t understand – instead, choose something readily available to them and something with the right emotional resonance. You wouldn’t compare losing a favourite stuffed animal to accidentally deleting an unsaved Word document; you’d compare it to being separated from your parent at the grocery store. That’s not only a more accurate emotional resonance for a kid, it’s also a panic they can understand.

Consonance, Assonance, and Alliteration

This is a form of repetition dealing with sound.

Consonance = repetition of consonant sounds close together (cool colours in acrylic).

Assonance = repetition of vowel sounds close together (the door with orange acorns).

Alliteration = repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words close together (cool colours works here too!)

*Note the letter doesn’t have to be the same; only the sound. Ex. caring kangaroo is alliteration, and sitting idly isn’t assonance.

These devices can contribute a lot to a picture book! They play on mood, emotion, tone, imagery, and content. Soft sounds will create one reaction, harder sounds will create another, especially in different contexts. The trick is picking the right one for the job!

Do be cautious, though – these are devices that you really need to think about when the topic is more serious. Often, they make reading more fun, even when the sounds are harsher. So if the book deals with the loss of a loved one or the emotions that come up when being bullied, you want to make sure you don’t detract from that with fun word play.

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Looking at literary devices is a key component of line editing, which I offer. If you’re interested in working with me, send me a message!

Now tell me, which device is your favourite to write or read?