Includes bibliographical references and index.

Starting points -- E. Boyd Smith -- The erratic, eclectic Twenties -- Wanda Gág -- Foreign backgrounds -- The dynamics and fun of the form -- The small child's world -- Helen Sewell -- Information -- Photographic books -- Imported from France -- Roger Duvoisin -- The American line -- Of the American Indian -- Two masters : Marie Hall Ets and William Pene Du Bois -- Sui generis : Seven Simeons and Buttons -- The storytellers -- Designed for children -- The emotional element -- Jean Charlot -- Golden Books -- Dr. Seuss -- Marcia Brown -- Expanding possibilities : Easter, for instance -- New looks -- Social change -- Negro identification, Black identity -- More information -- Ruth Krauss, Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak -- Crockett Johnson -- The Japanese advent and Blair Lent -- Feelings extended -- And a few endearments -- Maurice Sendak -- Away from words -- The fabulists -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.

A picturebook is text, illustrations, total design; an item of manufacture and a commercial product; a social, cultural, historical document; and, foremost, an experience for a child.