Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design
New York: Workman Publishing Company, 2013; 150 p.
VOYA codes: 4Q, 4P, J, S
Awards:
YALSA Award Nominee for Excellence in Nonfiction
The cover gets the story started – a stop sign, with the word “Go.” It is an attention-grabber, and shows you the power of design from the onset. An excellent informational nonfiction book for your teen library collection, Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design is really about how to create dynamic, meaningful design in everything you create.
It is an oversized board book, with bright colors, and easy to understand concepts. Useful principals that can be applied to create layouts for school displays, journalism designs, event programs, websites, posters, or just for personal interest. Design geeks of all ages will appreciate and enjoy this book!
Appeal Factors:
Subject: Art, how-to, instructional
Tone: Humorous, bold, opinionated, broad overview
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction criteria:
- Accuracy—current and complete facts, balance of fact and theory, author’s qualifications proven, appropriate scope, authenticity of detail
- Organization—logical development, clear sequence, interrelationships indicated, patterns provided (general-to-specific, simple-to-complex, etc.)
- Design—attractive, readable, illustrations complement text, placement of illustrative material appropriate and complementary, appropriate format, type
- Style—writing is interesting, stimulating, reveals author’s enthusiasm for subject; curiosity and wonder encouraged, appropriate terminology, rich language
Read-alike from library bookshelf (nonfiction design how-to):
Picture this: how pictures work
Author: Molly Bang
New York: SeaStar Books (2000).; 96 p.: ill. (some col.); 26 cm.
Now a classic design book about the importance of design and composition. Originally published in 1991, it’s a true primer on the psychological effects of good design.
For example:
WORD. 