Simons, H. D. & Elster, C. (1990). Picture dependence in first-grade basal texts. Journal of Educational Research, 84(2), 86-92.

ABSTRACT. Illustrated texts are ubiquitous in beginning reading materials, but certain relationships between pictures and texts in those materials may be problematic. In many instances, first-grade basal reader texts are dependent on accompanying pictures for their interpretation. An examination of narrative texts in first-grade books from four basal reading series and in easy-to-read children's trade books revealed that different series varied in the degree to which text interpretation was picture dependent. Furthermore, the texts in all four series decreased in picture dependence from the beginning to the end of the first-grade year, but at different rates. An explanation, based on a constructivist view of reading, of the problematic nature of picture dependence in first-grade basal texts is proposed. Implications of the findings for the production of basal texts are discussed.