Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens - Book Report/Review Example

Regardless of their large land, the bear was lazy and did not want to work and on the other hand, the hare was hard working but did not have land to cultivate (Stevens, 1995). At this point the author uses pictures to show the lazy nature of the bear; the author draws the bear on a bed sleeping. She also displays a pictorial of the hare coveting on the bear’s land and how the hare wishes they could own that land and cultivate (Stevens, 1995). The hare and his family decided to use their cunning ways to get their land back from the bear.

The pictorial in the book shows the hare approaching the bear for an agreement (Stevens, 1995). The pictures are effectively accompanied with words describing the pictures for the audience to understand easily. The author then describes the cultivating process of the bear’s land. The pictures in the book also show the cultivation in the tale. Apart from naming the crops the author uses pictures to show the crops grown by the hare. The drawing of the corn, lettuce, carrots and onions were effective enough for the audience to follow the tale with the help of the pictures (Stevens, 1995).

The moral of the tale is also highlighted in pictures. At the end of the tale the author shows the hare enjoying the harvest while the bear regrets their laziness and lack of interest in the piece of land. The pictorial representation of the moral lesson displays pictures of the hare family in a jovial mood and eating the harvest crops. The pictures also display the bear in an angry mood and lamenting on his decision to rent his piece of land (Stevens, 1995). My selection of this particular book was based on the fact that the author’s display of animals’ characterization in pictures was effective and appropriate.

Additionally, the words of the tale and the pictures on each page rhymed and effectively enabled the audience to have a clear understanding of the tale and the moral story of the tale. The pictures in the book are also directly related to the tale. Different from other books, the author made it simpler for the audience to analyze the pictures and read the story without analyzing the hidden meaning of neither the words nor the pictures. The selection was also based on the fact that the author bases their story on known characteristics and traits of animals.

For instance, the hare is known for their cunning ways and the bare are known as less active animals. In analyzing the pictorial design in the book, texture, lining, shape, picture continuity, color, movement and contrast could be easily noted. The texture of the pictures was appropriate for the setting of the tale. In an argument by Nodelman (1990) tales in an animal setting such as the forest or garden should have a rough texture. This enhances the ability of the audience or reader to relate to the setting in terms of appropriateness.

The rough texture in this tale is accompanied by effective picture continuity in terms of storytelling. This can make it possible for the reader to follow the story without reading the words. The color of the pictures also rhymed well with the texture and contrast of the pictures. The color of the pictures is brown on almost all character and the background. Brown is a representation of the earthly color and contrast which is appropriate in this particular setting (Nodelman, 1990). The lining, movement and