Metafiction is a "synergy" of fictive devices that draws the readers attention to how the a text works, specifically to how meaning is created in different ways through unconventional means. These different devices can be overlapping and occur in different combinations. According to Pantaleo(2014), the most common element of which is using devices which distance readers from the text and therefore "frustrating the traditional reading experiences" and placing the reading in a more "interpretive" role (p. 326).
Metafiction in Action
Metafictive Devices commonly used in Children's Literature
Parody- mocking an original work
Pastiche- imitating a style or character created by other authors or illustrators
Interdeterminacy- readers need to use inferences to draw own conclusions
Multiple Narrator/Character Focalisers- characters, narrators interact with reader to disrupt the story
Direct Address of Reader- narrator directly addresses and involves reader in plot line
Multiple Interconnecting Narratives- more than one narrating voice & interconnecting story lines
Nonlinear, non-sequential plots- blurring lines of sequence through form and format changes (Tantari, 2014)
What effect does it have on readers?
"Through their experiences with picture books with metafictive devices, students can grow in their abilities as readers" - Pantaleo (2014, p. 329)
Through exposure children "can develop visual literacy competency, facilitate higher level thinking skills, and enhance literary and literacy understandings" which will "assist when encountering similar devices in print and media." - Pantaleo (2014, p. 331)
Assists students in exploring the relationship between texts and illustrations by use of parallel and interdependent storytelling (Pantaleo, p. 331)
References:
Pantaleo, S. (2005). "Reading" Young Children's Visual Texts. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from http://ecrp.illinois.edu/v7n1/pantaleo.html Pantaleo, S. (2014, January 28). The Metafictive Nature of Postmodern Picturebooks. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trtr.1233/abstract Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (2004). Squids will be squids: fresh morals, beastly fables. London: Puffin.
Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (2014). The true story of the 3 little pigs. NY, NY: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).
Tantari, S. (2014).Metafictive devices in post modern picture books . Retrieved October 03, 2017, from http://tantaripostmodern.weebly.com
Other Books Displayed in Videos: Browne, A. (2008). Willy the champ. Walker Books: London.
Browne, A. (2014). Willy the wimp. London: Walker Books.
Browne, A. (2001). Voices in the park. New York: DK Pub.
Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (1993). The stinky cheese man and other fairly stupid tales. London: Puffin Books.
Wiesner, D. (2008). Hurricane. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Wiesner, D. (2014). Mr Wuffles! London: Andersen Press.