Related Text Analysis - Once there was a Boy, Dub Leffler
Once there was a Boy, by Dub (David) Leffler, is a picture book published in 2011. It is about a boy living on an island by himself and the chain of events that occur when a mysterious girl arrives.
The picture book has many discoveries presented through its pages, both literal and metaphorical. These discoveries are portrayed simply, through striking images and childlike diction. Some of the key ideas surrounding discovery in this text are about discovering things for the first time, suddenly and unexpectedly, for example, the first instance of discovery in the text is when the boy meets the girl. This concept is used a great deal as it is obvious and intriguing, a very important element of children’s stories. Another idea about discovery evident in Once there was a …show more content…
Given the nature of the text, a picture book, it is obvious that the use of images is the most significant of these techniques. Leffler uses sprawling double-spread pages full of colour and emotion, with the help of symbolism to easily convey and reiterate key ideas of discovery. The wide range of colour he uses in the illustrations of Once there was a Boy have different connotations attached to them and aid in determining and defining the salience and tone of the image. In the lead up to a discovery, Leffler uses foreshadowing to provoke curiosity and give the reader precious insight into what is yet to come, for example, the onomatopoeic “Tha-THUMP… Tha-THUMP” of the box under the bed leaves us guessing as to what is inside. Symbolism is seen in the text when the girl is literally holding the boys heart in her hands, this expels the idea of the fragility of love. The metaphorical aspects of Once there was a Boy are most significantly seen in the portrayal of the sea as a restorative figure, capable of calming, reconciliation, and
Once there was a Boy, by Dub (David) Leffler, is a picture book published in 2011. It is about a boy living on an island by himself and the chain of events that occur when a mysterious girl arrives.
The picture book has many discoveries presented through its pages, both literal and metaphorical. These discoveries are portrayed simply, through striking images and childlike diction. Some of the key ideas surrounding discovery in this text are about discovering things for the first time, suddenly and unexpectedly, for example, the first instance of discovery in the text is when the boy meets the girl. This concept is used a great deal as it is obvious and intriguing, a very important element of children’s stories. Another idea about discovery evident in Once there was a …show more content…
Given the nature of the text, a picture book, it is obvious that the use of images is the most significant of these techniques. Leffler uses sprawling double-spread pages full of colour and emotion, with the help of symbolism to easily convey and reiterate key ideas of discovery. The wide range of colour he uses in the illustrations of Once there was a Boy have different connotations attached to them and aid in determining and defining the salience and tone of the image. In the lead up to a discovery, Leffler uses foreshadowing to provoke curiosity and give the reader precious insight into what is yet to come, for example, the onomatopoeic “Tha-THUMP… Tha-THUMP” of the box under the bed leaves us guessing as to what is inside. Symbolism is seen in the text when the girl is literally holding the boys heart in her hands, this expels the idea of the fragility of love. The metaphorical aspects of Once there was a Boy are most significantly seen in the portrayal of the sea as a restorative figure, capable of calming, reconciliation, and