Another theme in the illustrations of picture books is one involving diagonal shapes and images. The diagonal shape implies tension or motion. (Bang 46) Again, this concept makes sense when you think about basic images. A Roman column standing upright looks stable but evokes thoughts of the energy of the past. The same column at a diagonal appears as though it's falling, in motion downward.

     The same visual concept is often applied in illustrations to show movement or motion. Some examples of this can be found in Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and, of course, in Where the Wild Things Are.

From Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, copyright Atheneum, 1972.

     In this illustration from Alexander..., Judith Viorst is attempting to show a car in motion. While it is possible to draw exhaust coming from the back of the car or even faint lines implying motion behing the vehicle, the easiest and most understood way is to show the car at an angle. Without any other indication, it is obvious that the car is in motion and and that it is traveling away from us. In fact, on the preceding page, the car is shown at angle pointing downward, implying that the car is moving toward us.

`

From Where the Wild Things Are, copyright Harper and Row, 1970.

     In this image the angle of the boat is what implies the motion. Although Max's wave tells us he's leaving and the wind seems to be blowing in the opposite direction, our eyes see the boat and know that it is moving to the left regardless of any other clues. Furthermore, the waves give the feeling of motion because of their jagged peaks and valleys. The angles at which they are drawn imply choppiness.

     Our story, which also happens to have a boat, uses the same rules. Although the animation shows the boat to be moving, it is not necessary.

From Adventures in the Alphabet Ocean, copyright 2004.

     The way the boat is angled suggests motion to the right. In fact, looking at this still image, you expect the boat to bump into the purple object any second. In the story, that is exactly what happens. Again, the waves also show motion through their diagonal peaks.