Wimmelbook as a form of travel literature

Abstract

This study outlines the characteristics of certain "geographical wimmelbooks," whose illustrations depict real locations. The aim is to investigate the extent to which these picturebooks intersect with the genre of travel literature. In particular, it examines the materiality, illustrations, verbal and visual narrative elements that contribute to the creation of an alternative form of travel narrative. Each double page in these picture books combines the cultural and topographical visual information of a real place with the presence of one or more travelers, enhancing the presentation of each country through travel impressions. At the same time, the multi-scenic illustrations offer the reader the experience of a touring reading, actively involving them in the creation of the travel narrative. This study seeks to shed light on a world of representation of real places, as travel literature is rarely examined through the prism of children's literature. Our bibliography consists of studies on "travel literature," "wimmelbooks," and "wordless picturebooks."