Flett uses computer technology to create the art in the book. While she uses the watercolor tool in Adobe Photoshop, the art at first glance seems to be collage. The individual shapes and the stark colors contrast against the white background. The image is reminiscent of the principles outlined by Molly Bang in her book Picture This. The dynamic diagonal shapes of the trees imply motion as the boy and his grandmother leave the forest with their blueberries (Bang 58). Another clear design element present in the image is the choice of the white background. While the forest is often considered scary, the color white helps readers to feel safer (Bang 84). The aspects of design in the image work together to help root the book’s mood: familial love and traditions.

After considering the design of the image, an important aspect of analyzing the design of Wild Berries is the text. In the English translation of the book, readers learn different Cree vocabulary words. In this scene, the word “woods” is centered and emphasized by printing it in a unique font (Flett 26). Another word stands out from the rest of the text, “sakák” (Flett 26). This word means woods in Cree. The word is red and written in the same font as the word “woods” which ties them together. The offset placement of the words draws the reader's attention to them and signals that they are significant. The floating words play into what makes Wild Berries design feel spiritual and encapsulating.

In a way, Wild Berries’ expert design helps readers capture the mood and themes of the story: family; while the safety of the white background as the boy and his grandmother forage for blueberries takes readers on a universal journey.

Word Count: 364

Works Cited:

Bang, Molly. Picture This: How Pictures Work. Chronicle Books, 2016.

Flett, Julie. Wild Berries. Translated by Earl N. Cook, Simply Read Books, 2014.

Reese, Debbie. “Wild Berries by Julie Flett.” American Indians in Children's Literature, 2013, https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2013/12/wild-berries-by-julie-flett.html. Accessed 19th October 2021.