Author Study: Anthony Browne
To develop literary appreciation and inference skills by studying an author's style, themes, and techniques.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Discusses themes across texts
- Identifies author's stylistic choices
- Makes text-to-text connections
- Responds creatively to author's style
Materials
- Collection of books by chosen author
- Author biography information
- Response journals
- Art materials for style emulation
Instructions
Choose an author whose work is rich, varied, and rewards close reading: Anthony Browne (gorillas, fathers, hidden pictures), Julia Donaldson (rhyme, pluck), or Michael Rosen (humour, family, grief). Read the author's biography together.
Over two weeks, share four to five of the author's books. After each book, discuss: 'What was this one about? How is it similar to the others? What kinds of characters does this author like? What themes come up again and again?'
Focus on artistic style for illustrators like Browne: 'Anthony Browne hides things in his pictures. Can you spot what's hidden here? Why do you think he does that?' This deep picture reading develops visual literacy.
Teach children to notice craft: 'Anthony Browne often puts gorillas in his books — even where you don't expect them. Why? What does the gorilla mean? What feeling do his pictures give you?'
Invite children to 'write like' the author: 'Anthony Browne often starts his books with a small, lonely child. Could you write the beginning of a story in that style?' This moves from comprehension to creative response.
Create a class display: 'We've been studying Anthony Browne. Here's what we noticed about him: he loves gorillas, he hides things in pictures, his stories are often about family and loneliness.' This synthesising task builds higher-order comprehension.