Mary Had a Little Lamb

Photo Realism – Interesting Perspectives

These two illustrations from Bruce McMillan’s picture book version of this rhyme demonstrate the creativity possible in using actual contemporary images to tell one of these old tales. Clearly the lamb is the focal character in the first photo, and one might wonder if the girl off to the right is Mary. But note the wariness with which the lamb watches her. Notice too the position of the lamb within the protection of the legs of another child. The second photo clearly shows that Mary is the one wearing those yellow coveralls who was protecting the lamb under the desk. The first image shows the most unusual angle from which to view the lamb, and the close-up of the faces of the two characters evokes the most emotion. In a time when there are still few non-white characters illustrating nursery rhymes, this African American girl makes a powerful statement.