At the climax of the story, on pages thirty two through thirty three, the main character stands in front of their family with their drawing proudly displayed at the center of the spread transcending the gutter. Gernstein utilizes a mixed medium approach throughout the book through a combination of acrylic paint, pen, and colored pencils (“The First Drawing”). The shapes that stand out on the page such as the mammoth and the protagonist are clear because of the contrast between mediums. The shape of the mammoth is clear and well defined, bringing the reader’s eye to it. The protagonist also stands clearly with sharp edges in contrast with their family and the wall. The family is blurry and almost blob-like. The contrast in the lack of a shape of the family and the clearly defined shapes of the drawing and protagonist helps center them as the most important aspects in the spread. The mammoth and the protagonist are important; Gernstein’s shapes tell us so.

Kirkus discusses how Gerstien’s use of mixed-medium “create[s] depth and a sense of the past, as well as imparting liveliness and possibility to what could easily have become simply flat drawings” (“The First Drawing”). Another aspect that adds depth is the contrasting shapes. The differing shapes offer readers a clear and concise way to not only navigate the story but to glean deeper personal meanings as well.

Word Count: 264

Works Cited:

“The First Drawing.” Kirkus Reviews, 17 July 2013, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mordicai-gerstein/the-first-drawing/.

Gerstein, Mordicai. The First Drawing. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013.