The Grammar of Pictures: Rethinking the Concept of Text through Picture Books [그림책 작가와 함께하는 그림책 만들기 7단계]

In media studies, the term text holds a broader meaning than most assume. Rooted in semiotic theory, text refers not simply to written words, but to the meanings constructed through interaction in the communication process. For example, when you say the word “dad,” its significance isn't determined solely by the speaker—it emerges from shared understanding between sender and receiver. Without this mutual construction of meaning, there is no “text” at all.

A symbol, in this sense, can be anything—a word, an object, a person, or a picture—that stands for something else. However, we often fall into the trap of equating text exclusively with the written word. This narrow interpretation leads us to reduce books to mere bundles of printed letters. But what happens when we encounter a book that tells a story without using many—or any—words?

That was the revelation I experienced when I discovered a picture book described by its authors not as a book with pictures, but as a book told through pictures. It was a moment that challenged my assumptions: why had I never questioned the idea that books must be made of text in the conventional sense?

This conceptual breakthrough led me to immerse myself in the framework laid out by two authors in their guide, Seven Steps to Creating a Picture Book. Their method unfolds slowly—like the organic process of a seed growing into fruit—but it's anything but dull. The step-by-step journey invites the reader into the creative world of visual storytelling.

At its core, creating a picture book is a battle of ideas—a test of what stories you want to tell and how you intend to tell them. Letting go of the belief that words are essential to storytelling requires a shift in perspective. Once the what is defined, the how emerges as the next challenge: how do you craft a complete narrative using only images? How do you employ the grammar of pictures to convey meaning, mood, and movement?

The authors stress the importance of the physicality of picture books in answering these questions. The rhythm of turning pages, the spatial play between text and image, the weight of negative space, and the visual hierarchy all serve as critical storytelling tools. In picture books, the background isn’t just background—it often is the story. Here, as in all visual art, content and form are inseparable.

There’s a vast difference between thinking about creating a picture book and actually doing it. Experience is the true teacher. Listening to artists explain their process can offer a framework, but only the act of making reveals the grammar behind the painting. This book doesn’t just talk about the process—it actively invites the reader to participate.

With “think-alouds” and hands-on activities scattered throughout its pages, it encourages readers to pick up a pencil and start creating. QR codes embedded in the book extend the experience into digital spaces, while candid interviews with the authors bring a reassuring honesty: this journey is not easy, and that’s exactly why it matters.

Ultimately, creating a picture book is an act of courage. It’s the decision to express your story, not in sentences, but in scenes. For aspiring authors and educators alike, this book serves not just as a guide—but as a spark. Because within every one of us lies a story worth telling. And within every one of us lies the infinite possibility of telling it through pictures.