Changing Viewpoints and Unraveling Clues: A Close Reading of Satoshi Kitamura’s Picture Book Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing

Abstract

In this study of six illustrations from Satoshi Kitamura’s picture book, Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing, the author considers the dynamics of the images by looking at the ways that the various components relate to each other, the ways that the positions of these components might relate to our progress through the pages of the picture book, and the relationship between beholder and image. Changes in perspective and mood are considered as are the ways that a sense of animation seems sometimes to be created, all of which, the author concludes, present challenges and visual exercises for the beholder and an exciting “reading” experience.

KEYWORDS:

• dynamics
• perspective
• mood
• animation
• pictorial analogy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author is grateful to Andersen Press for permission to reproduce illustrations and extracts from Satoshi Kitamura’s Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing (2009) and Millie’s Marvellous Hat (2009).