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Illustrated Barcodes of Picturebooks: Artistic Peritextual Elements with Pedagogical Applicability

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Abstract

This study explores the potential of illustrated barcodes of picturebooks in the educational context. The study reviews the modification by artists of conventional and mandatory barcodes into creative barcode placements in picturebooks. By raising awareness of the aesthetic subtleties of barcodes, the paper articulates how these attractive and ironical peritextual elements may have pedagogical applicability. The study brings to the surface these invisible artistic elements to better appreciate their aesthetic potential for read alouds. For exploring the rich diversity of depictions, a corpus of 500 illustrated barcodes was grouped and analyzed into categories with the creators’ explanation for the use of these artistic peritextual features. Findings based on quantitative and qualitative content analysis suggest that illustrated barcodes comprise significant information that educators may use during picturebook read aloud sessions. Educators familiar with the hidden information within illustrated barcodes may guide children into exploring these peritextual features and talk about them during interactive storytime.

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Reprinted by permission of © Catherine and Laurence Anholt

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Reprinted by permission of © Catherine and Laurence Anholt

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Reprinted by permission of Winnie and Wilbur © Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, published by OUP © illustration Korky Paul

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Reprinted by permission of © Catherine and Laurence Anholt

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Reprinted by permission of © Edward Underwood

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Reprinted by permission of © Catherine and Laurence Anholt

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Reprinted by permission of © Lane Smith

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Reprinted by permission of © Carol Thompson

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Reprinted by permission of Winnie and Wilbur © Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, published by OUP © illustration Korky Paul

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Reprinted by permission of Winnie and Wilbur © Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, published by OUP © illustration Korky Paul

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Reprinted by permission of Sanji and the Baker © Robin Tzannes and Korky Paul, published by OUP © illustration Korky Paul

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Reprinted by permission of © Lane Smith

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Reprinted by permission of © Frank Dormer

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  • 13 October 2021

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the British Council School of Madrid for allowing me access to the libraries in search of illustrated barcodes. I would also like to express my gratitude to the following picturebook creators for their insight into illustrated barcodes: Catherine and Laurence Anholt, Ian Beck, Helen Cooper, Frank Dormer, Tom Lichtenheld, Korky Paul, Antoniette Portis, Steven Salerno, Lane Smith, Nick Sharratt, Carol Thompson, Edward Underwood and Paul O. Zelinsky.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Complutense University, Madrid, Spain

    M. Teresa Fleta

  2. Rector Royo Villanova s/n, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    M. Teresa Fleta

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  1. M. Teresa Fleta
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Correspondence to M. Teresa Fleta.

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Fleta, M.T. Illustrated Barcodes of Picturebooks: Artistic Peritextual Elements with Pedagogical Applicability. Child Lit Educ 53, 251–272 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-021-09452-x

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