MOVIE OF THE WEEK January 31, 2024: STORY & PICTURES BY
Goodnight Moon. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Monster at the End of This Book. If just reading the titles of these all-time-classic picture books makes you smile, then watching director Joanna Rudnick’s charming documentary Story & Pictures By — which examines the power and long-lasting impact of children’s literature — will be as appealing as curling up with a stack of your own favorites and settling in for story hour.
Through in-depth interviews with a trio of prominent contemporary children’s author-illustrators — Mac Barnett, Yuyi Morales, and Christian Robinson — as well as librarians, publishers, and other experts in the field, Rudnick traces the evolution of picture books from Bible-adjacent morality texts (Goody Two Shoes) to vibrant, creative works that push boundaries and play with form. Along the way, everyone involved shares insight into their work, as well as their own favorite stories.
Barnett, Morales, and Robinson also talk about their personal lives, explaining what drew them to creating children’s books and why they care so much about getting things right for their young fans. Like their groundbreaking predecessors Wanda Gág, Margaret Wise Brown, Ezra Jack Keats, and Maurice Sendak (all of whom are either name checked or appear in archival footage), they have the utmost respect for children and view writing for them as a nearly sacred charge. Plus, they just love doing it. Watching Barnett, Morales, and Robinson’s creative process in action is fascinating, and seeing them interact with their target audience is heartwarming.
In a time when banning books is talked about almost as often as reading them, it’s gratifying to be reminded that there are people out there working diligently every day to use art, humor, and storytelling to promote diverse perspectives and experiences and inspire love and acceptance. With Story & Pictures By, Rudnick proves that there is, indeed, such a thing as a happy ending (or at least the potential for one!). — Betsy Bozdech
Team #MOTW’s comments:
Pam Grady: One doesn’t need to be a parent or a child to fall for the charms of Joanna Rudnick’s documentary relating the history and current state of the children’s picture book. The film begins with author Mac Barnett reacting to an article about the apparent death of the genre. Story & Pictures By goes on to argue that the picture book is alive and well as it concentrates on the work of contemporary authors Barnett, Christian Robinson, and Yuyi Morales while also providing a survey of classic books like Where the Wild Things Are, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Snowy Day. Stop-motion animation, archival interviews, and footage of writers interacting with rapt children create a picture story of the important role these books play in the lives and imaginations of kids as they interact with the world and forge their own identities.
Nell Minow: Story & Pictures By is a heartwarming reminder of the books that enchanted and inspired me when I was a child and those my children loved, many still in battered but still readable condition in our house. I always say no one’s childhood is ever long enough to read all the wonderful children’s books we need and I’m glad to say I am still reading them for my own enjoyment. This lovely documentary takes us into the lives of three of today’s most significant author/illustrators and includes some archival material to show us how the field has expanded to include an overdue but welcome wider range of topics and perspectives.
Leslie Combemale The film’s strengths make way for director Joanne Rudnick to examine some of the current or potential controversies around children’s books like Call Me Max, which centers transness, and Dreamers, which centers the immigration experience. These issues are all the more important for children to see, given the messages surrounding them as we enter into the next four years, in which the LGBTQ and immigrant populations will be more and more vilified. Above all, through the entirety of Stories & Pictures By, the film has a sense of hope. It is educational, to be sure, especially for those who don’t know children’s literature, but it also makes a strong case that picture books are essential to kids who are, as Mac Barnett said, “finding a way to navigate the world”. Read full review.
Jennifer Merin Story and Pictures is an engaging documentary that touches upon a subject that is, I am sure, close to all of our hearts. Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick delves into the realm of children’s books and discussion of why tomes for tots through tweens are so very important. Rudnick records at home and in school reading sessions, always capturing the rapt concentration and bubbling glee of the young listeners. She presents in depth onscreen interviews with top writers and illustrators of books for kids, always capturing their intent and insights. There’s also consideration of cost and payoff, and current trends in story, theme and style, all key elements in keeping children’s books on the shelves of bookstores, libraries and family dens. Story and Pictures presents the full story about children’s books, and it is one that you will want to see and hear. Settle in and let the documentary conjure your memories of your favorite moments with children’s books.
Sandie Angulo Chen: Stories and Pictures By is a heartfelt documentary that explores the profound impact of children’s books. Directed by Joanna Rudnick, the film centers on three acclaimed author-illustrators—Christian Robinson, Mac Barnett, and Yuyi Morales. Each artist shares their personal and professional journeys, reflecting on how they address complex themes in their work. From crossing the border (Morales) to visiting a parent in prison (Robinson) to navigating life with a divorced mother (Barnett), their stories tackle mature topics with sensitivity and depth. The film features a mix of new and archival interviews with iconic figures in children’s publishing, including Judith Viorst, the late Maurice Sendak, the late Eric Carle, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Neal Porter. The documentary is not only informative and poignant, but also a vital reminder of the importance of children’s books as both mirrors and windows for all children.
Loren King What a delightful and inspiring look at the importance and pleasure of picture books for kids and the grownups that read to them. Director Joanna Rudnick’s overview includes a welcome introduction (at least for me) to contemporary authors including Christian Robinson, Mac Barnett and Yuyi Morales, as well as a history of the genre. There are fascinating insights about Maurice Sendak’s classic books and Margaret Wise Brown’s landmark Goodnight Moon (surprisingly, a flop at when it was first published). There are also librarians who give perspective on the evolution of pictures books, from the inclusion of racially diverse characters to the frequent rise of book bans over the years as a means of control. But mostly Story and Pictures By celebrates the simple but sophisticated storytelling and visuals that spur imagination. It’s a well crafted film for everyone especially adults who never lost the joy of a good book.
Liz Whittemore Director Joanna Rudnick’s Story & Pictures By is a lovely and surprisingly emotional documentary about children’s picture books and the stories of their creators. Rudnick features the work and insight of three different contemporary children’s authors as anchors in her overarching narrative. The effect is universally relatable. Paper Brains’s cut-out stop-motion animation utilizes children’s hands and classic illustrations. It is nothing short of mesmerizing. Story & Pictures By oozes charm, nostalgia, and enlightenment. It is a childlike hug of comfort and joy, highlighting the unmistakable impact of representation in storytelling.
Cate Marquis For many of us, nothing can lift your day like a good book, and the same is true even for children. What reader doesn’t have a favorite childhood book or one connected to fond memories? In the warm, insightful documentary Story & Pictures By, we travel back to the world of childhood through picture books, often the first books we encounter. Narrated by three authors of children’s picture books, we delve into the world of this unique form of children’s literature, by revisiting old favorites like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Snowy Day, exploring what is a picture book and how they are created, looking into the history of them and the stories of some of the greats of the art form, from Maurice Sendak and Where the Wild Things Are to Margaret Wise Brown and Good Night, Moon. Story & Pictures By is a delightful trip back to one’s own childhood, a peek inside the world of the books’ talented creators, people who still remember what it was like to be a child, and a thoughtful reflection on the essential imaginative outlet these books provide for children in a deep and meaningful way.
FILM DETAILS:
Title: Story & Pictures By
Director: Joanna Rudnick
Release Date: February 1, 2025
Running Time: 84 minutes
Language: English
Screenwriters: Shane Boris, Will Csaklos
Distribution Company: RoCo Films
AWFJ Movie of the Week Panel Members: Sandie Angulo Chen, Betsy Bozdech, Leslie Combemale, Pam Grady, Loren King, Cate Marquis, Jennifer Merin, Nell Minow, Sherin Nicole, Liz Whittemore
Other Movies Opening This Week
Edited by Jennifer Merin
