Analysing Anthony Browne: A Complete Author Study Lesson for KS2

Dive into the fascinating world of a master author and illustrator with this comprehensive lesson pack focused on the distinctive style of Anthony Browne. This resource is designed to guide Key Stage 2 pupils in analysing an author’s body of work, identifying common themes, unique techniques, and recurring motifs.

This complete pack contains a structured ActivInspre lesson (PDF included) that takes students on a journey through Browne’s most famous narratives: Gorilla, Voices in the Park, Zoo, and Willy and Hugh. It encourages critical thinking, collaborative discussion (Think-Pair-Share, Talk Partners), and independent analysis. A structured worksheet template is included for pupils to record their findings on characters, settings, and imagery, helping them to draw comparisons and form their own opinions.

What’s Included:

• A guided ActivInspire lesson (PDF included) with clear learning objectives and discussion prompts.
• An analysis worksheet template for recording observations on multiple texts.
• Focus on key Anthony Browne texts: Gorilla, Voices in the Park, Zoo, and Willy and Hugh.
• Editable formats included for easy adaptation.

Key Features:

• Author Study Focus: Develops critical literacy skills by examining an author’s portfolio rather than a single text.
• Promotes Collaborative Learning: Built-in discussion points (Think-Pair-Share, Talk Partners) encourage rich classroom dialogue.
• Scaffolded Analysis: The provided template guides students in comparing characters, settings, and Browne’s iconic surreal imagery.
• Flexible for Use: Ideal for whole-class teaching, a dedicated author study unit, guided reading sessions, or independent learning tasks.

Curriculum Links:

• Reading Comprehension: Focus on inference, explanation, comparison, and evaluation of an author’s work.
• Spoken Language: Participating in collaborative discussions, expressing opinions and building on the ideas of others.
• Art & Design: Analysing the use of illustration, colour, and visual metaphor to convey meaning and mood.

Perfect For:

• Teachers introducing the concept of an author study.
• Exploring the themes of relationships, loneliness, and perspective that are central to Browne’s work.
• Encouraging visual literacy and the interpretation of imagery in picture books for older readers.