When we write the words for a picture book, we have no idea what the illustrator will do with them; they often expand the story into different directions that the writer didn't expect. (which is a GOOD thing and makes the story better, IMO)
The best examples of 'words meshing with illustrations" is when an author/ illustrator (the same person) does the book. People who write picture books are at the mercy of the illustrator and the editor because of that wall that forbids the author from ever talking to the illustrator. Note - Every recent Caldecott winner in recent years was either an author/ illustrator or at least best friends with the illustrator so they worked together to make the best book they could.
Perennial favorite -Where the Wild Things Are by author/ illustrator Maurice Sendak - is a wonderful example of how the illustrations expand the story. (I've sometimes done a page by page talk about this book with students doing a report on Sendak. )
Look at the white space and how he uses it.
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