Where's Willebrord?

February 6, 2023 5:21 AM

Hidden pictures, exploded diagrams, and cross-section illustrations are a type of detailed image well known from famous coffee table books and children's book series (previously). A modern book featuring such illustrations is commonly referred to as a wimmelbilderbuch or wimmelbook, but the concept has been around for centuries. Wimmelbooks are also the subject of study, both as tools for childhood literacy and as semiotic playgrounds.
posted by cupcakeninja (10 comments total)

My almost 3 year old and I (just 43) are endlessly fascinated by Rotraut Susanne Berner's seasonal journey through Wimmelstadt and the progression of its characters over a year. Mysteries, romance, a pesky escaping parrot. I have gathered a number of other Wimmelbucher but Berner's series are just lovely.

We are also delaying returning Alison Farrell's excellent Cycle City to the library. Less exploded diagrams but many many different types of bikes to discover.
posted by pipstar at 5:46 AM on February 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

The new episode of the "Pure Tokyoscope" podcast focuses on Shoji Otomo, creator of the robot + kaiju cross-section "explainer" illustrations that were everywhere in kid-oriented media in Japan in the 60s and 70s.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:49 AM on February 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

I also have a three year old who will enjoy this post with me.

I started using The StoryGraph instead of Goodreads and think it's a much better platform. If you're on Goodreads, I think it's worth a look.
posted by criticalyeast at 6:52 AM on February 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

I hear you, criticalyeast. I used Goodreads here because it’s better known and accessible to web users who don’t have an account with The Storygraph. I also like Literature Map for similar purposes, though a search there for “Richard Scarry” produces a bewildering/amazing graph.
posted by cupcakeninja at 7:09 AM on February 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

I was already older when they came out, but would the Eleventh Hour series fit the bill?

There's also the fantasy world atlases (with exploded diagrams of battles and castles and etc) done by Karen Wynn Fonstad: Middle-Earth, Krynn, Toril, Pern and The Land.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:23 AM on February 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

I am not an expert, just an aficionado, but maybe? It seems like many books (and puzzles, posters, etc.) have this vibe.

Karen Wynn Fonstad!!! Love her work, and I have spent many hours poring over the Middle-Earth atlas.
posted by cupcakeninja at 9:12 AM on February 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

My 3-year-old and I also love Rotraut Susanne Berner's books – I just bought the Spring edition for her birthday, and I think I might be more excited than she is. They're delightful.
posted by notquitejane at 12:45 PM on February 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

Tha bid for teaching me this term! I was a huge Scarry fan as a kid and will be looking 8 to something now for my (barely) more adult taste.
posted by Iteki at 11:07 PM on February 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Wow, sorry I just saw what I wrote. "Thanks for teaching me this term" is what a person would say.
posted by Iteki at 11:44 AM on February 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

I think the ST: TNG technical manual probably also fits here.

And then there are actual RPG sourcebooks, but those seem too intentionally expository.

Likewise the isometric cutaway style travel guides, like DK's Eyewitness series.

The 'cartoon' or 'pictorial' maps of cities with landmarks and neighborhoods represented in caricature that used to be popular souvenirs are like this too.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:53 PM on February 7, 2023 [1 favorite]