The Role of Type in Children's Books

Typography plays a considerably important role in the production of a children's book. At such a young age, children are constantly learning and picking up on new concepts. When presented with a book, it isn't necessarily all about the illustrations, especially if  that child is aged around 5+ when they are learning how to read.
It's important that when deciding on a typeface for a children's book, that it should be legible, and the text should compliment rather than compete with the illustrations. The dynamics of the text placement is also important, and could even become a part of the illustration, alike, for example the unusual 'The Mouse's Tale' by Lewis Carroll:

The Mouse's Tail - Lewis Carroll

This pure combination of both illustration and text was totally unique at the time of publishing, having moved on from the children's books of the 1800's (example shown below) this style offered a new and exciting exploration of the typical children's tale - a journey along the page.

ABC - 1850

Children's books are a product of a new outlook on the importance of children's learning. Here shows a detailed, perhaps adult, example of an alphabet book. In a mix of different colours, small text and Serif type, children of the 21st Century may find this particular example difficult to understand.

The Scarecrow - Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters

Here is an example of a real combination of text and illustration. Here, letters become a part of the characters - leaving expressions of these characters to the imagination of the children. Colour is also minimal, which leads to believe this book may be directed at children of an older age group - perhaps around the age of 9 or 10 years old.

There Was an Old Lady - Simms Taback

This book displays a menagerie of different colours with an unique fashion. The typeface gives a hand-rendered appeal, using a selection of different  sizes, colours and styles to create one working piece. This works in perfect harmony with the paired illustration, and even with the story being told - a selection of weird and wonderful events.

The Serif Fairy - Rene Siegfried and Joel Mann

In likeness to 'The Scarecrow (Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters), this story uses typeface to create the world of The Serif Fairy, and of course, herself. Each tree, fish, car and house are all compiled of a range of different typefaces, be they Serif of Sans Serif. This is a book, again, perhaps aimed at a slightly older audience (the age of around 9+) although this is the perfect book to practice a younger child with reading a range of various typefaces.

The Stinky Cheese Man - Jon Scieszka

This example of typography in children's books shows the text actually convulsing and distorting to due to the 'smell' of the Stinky Cheese Man. This approach adds a depth and almost realism to the story and helps elevate it, purely using the text to highlight and aid the story. This book looks like it's aimed at children around 7 years old, but again, is ideal for aiding children to learn to read text that may not be in a clear and straight-forward like across the page.

An Edward Lear Alphabet - Vladimir Radunsky

'An Edward Lear Alphabet' shows an expressionate and unique choice and style of typography, the type isn't the typical black Sans Serif typeface found in most children's books, rather, it's rough and sketchy - almost clumsy - somewhat like a child's handwriting, making it all the more relatable to a child.

Bottoms Up - Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower

'Bottoms Up' shows how text can be used as a part of the image itself, highlighting and establishing the size of the image. In the example above, this think, contrasting white typeface accentuates the size of the bear, a brilliant way to involve both image and text - but not take away from either. Both the illustration and type compliment each other perfectly.

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• Becomes a teacher of young children - understanding a child's mind

• Putting himself in the mind of a child - what do they love and thrive off?

• Basing the characters around children

> Considerations

• How old are the audience?

• How much text should be shown on a page?

• Is it a read alone book?

• Is it a book to be read with adults?

• What type of book is it? Storybook/Reference information?

• What is the mood and tone of the book?