Description

Book Synopsis

Foreword by Sir Philip Pullman, CBE, FRSL
Illustrated foreword by Chris Riddell, OBE

The burgeoning field of visual literacy can be universally understood across a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, regardless of traditional literacy levels. A key tool for navigating digital devices, there is often an antipathy surrounding visual literacy borne out of stigma and at times, intimidation.

Seeing Sense brings together research and best practice from different organisations and institutions all over the world to showcase the role of visual literacy as a tool for promoting reading. It will be key in raising awareness among librarians and education practitioners, promoting aspiration and achievement among the children and young people they work with.

Coverage includes:

  • an overview of visual literacy as a tool for reading development
  • the role of visual literacy in design and display within libraries and resource centres
  • advice for library and information professionals on how to gain greater confidence in using and understanding visual literacy as part of strategies to engage readers
  • a number of practical case studies to illustrate the power and potency of visual literacy as a key tool for making reading accessible, engaging, and appealing for all.


Trade Review

'For both established and new illustrators and writers, Hope’s book lays out the concept of visual literacy in a way that is not only approachable but useful and fascinating.'
— Dawn Finch, Chair of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group of the Society of Authors (CWIG)

-- Dawn Finch

Table of Contents

Contents

List of figures, boxes and case studies

Acknowledgements
Foreword

Philip Pullman

1. In the Frame: what is visual literacy and why does it matter?
An introduction to Seeing Sense

Origins of visual literacy

Visual literacy in the digital age

Becoming visually literate

Cave to computer screen: a potted guide to visual literacy in society

Types of visual literacy

2. The Big Picture: terminology for talking about and critiquing illustration

The building blocks for visual literacy

The anatomy of a picture book

The role of colour

Media, style and techniques

Features of visual narratives

Features in graphic novels

3. The Reading Journey: the developmental stages of reading

The emerging pre-reader

The novice reader

The decoding reader

The fluent, comprehending reader

The expert reader

A framework for visual competencies

Visual literacy in practice

4. Close Inspection: influences and insights into people and processes that shape visual narratives

Agents

Publishers

Graphic design and print

Harmony in words and pictures

Representation and translation

Pictures mean business

A comic perspective

Graphic novels

5. Windows into Worlds: the importance of visual representation and inclusion

Cultural diversity

Gender

Sexuality

Mental health

Empathy

Learning needs

Inclusion

Sight

Colour blindness

6. Prize Winning Pictures: an exploration of awards and honours

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal

The Macmillan Prize for Illustration

The Klaus Flugge Prize

The Excelsior Award

Regional book awards

International Awards

The Biennial of illustration, Bratislava

The Bologna Ragazzi Award

The Caldecott Medal

The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards

The Little Hakka Awards

The Children’s Laureate

7. Looking to Learn: an insight into visual literacy for information

The power of visual information

Finding fun in learning

Creating visually rich learning environments

Partnerships to create visual learning opportunities

8. A Room with a View: making the most of visual literacy in libraries and settings

Stock

Services

Space

Case Studies

Conclusion

Afterword

Nick Sharratt

Glossary

References

Index

Seeing Sense: Visual literacy as a tool for

    Product form

    £35.96

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £39.95 – you save £3.99 (9%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 11 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Jake Hope, Sir Philip Pullman, Chris Riddell

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Seeing Sense: Visual literacy as a tool for by Jake Hope

      Publisher: Facet Publishing
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 24/07/2020
      ISBN13: 9781783304417, 978-1783304417
      ISBN10: 1783304413

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Foreword by Sir Philip Pullman, CBE, FRSL
      Illustrated foreword by Chris Riddell, OBE

      The burgeoning field of visual literacy can be universally understood across a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, regardless of traditional literacy levels. A key tool for navigating digital devices, there is often an antipathy surrounding visual literacy borne out of stigma and at times, intimidation.

      Seeing Sense brings together research and best practice from different organisations and institutions all over the world to showcase the role of visual literacy as a tool for promoting reading. It will be key in raising awareness among librarians and education practitioners, promoting aspiration and achievement among the children and young people they work with.

      Coverage includes:

      • an overview of visual literacy as a tool for reading development
      • the role of visual literacy in design and display within libraries and resource centres
      • advice for library and information professionals on how to gain greater confidence in using and understanding visual literacy as part of strategies to engage readers
      • a number of practical case studies to illustrate the power and potency of visual literacy as a key tool for making reading accessible, engaging, and appealing for all.


      Trade Review

      'For both established and new illustrators and writers, Hope’s book lays out the concept of visual literacy in a way that is not only approachable but useful and fascinating.'
      — Dawn Finch, Chair of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group of the Society of Authors (CWIG)

      -- Dawn Finch

      Table of Contents

      Contents

      List of figures, boxes and case studies

      Acknowledgements
      Foreword

      Philip Pullman

      1. In the Frame: what is visual literacy and why does it matter?
      An introduction to Seeing Sense

      Origins of visual literacy

      Visual literacy in the digital age

      Becoming visually literate

      Cave to computer screen: a potted guide to visual literacy in society

      Types of visual literacy

      2. The Big Picture: terminology for talking about and critiquing illustration

      The building blocks for visual literacy

      The anatomy of a picture book

      The role of colour

      Media, style and techniques

      Features of visual narratives

      Features in graphic novels

      3. The Reading Journey: the developmental stages of reading

      The emerging pre-reader

      The novice reader

      The decoding reader

      The fluent, comprehending reader

      The expert reader

      A framework for visual competencies

      Visual literacy in practice

      4. Close Inspection: influences and insights into people and processes that shape visual narratives

      Agents

      Publishers

      Graphic design and print

      Harmony in words and pictures

      Representation and translation

      Pictures mean business

      A comic perspective

      Graphic novels

      5. Windows into Worlds: the importance of visual representation and inclusion

      Cultural diversity

      Gender

      Sexuality

      Mental health

      Empathy

      Learning needs

      Inclusion

      Sight

      Colour blindness

      6. Prize Winning Pictures: an exploration of awards and honours

      The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal

      The Macmillan Prize for Illustration

      The Klaus Flugge Prize

      The Excelsior Award

      Regional book awards

      International Awards

      The Biennial of illustration, Bratislava

      The Bologna Ragazzi Award

      The Caldecott Medal

      The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards

      The Little Hakka Awards

      The Children’s Laureate

      7. Looking to Learn: an insight into visual literacy for information

      The power of visual information

      Finding fun in learning

      Creating visually rich learning environments

      Partnerships to create visual learning opportunities

      8. A Room with a View: making the most of visual literacy in libraries and settings

      Stock

      Services

      Space

      Case Studies

      Conclusion

      Afterword

      Nick Sharratt

      Glossary

      References

      Index

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account