「圖畫書」和其他兒童文學文類最大區別在於:對「圖」的重視及使用。但「有圖的書」≠「圖畫書」,現代「圖畫書」已成為一個專有名詞,不過在書籍中繪製「插圖」的概念早於「圖畫書」的概念,當「插圖」獲得重視,地位得以進一步提昇至與文字相當,甚至高於文字之時,才可能產生「圖畫書」這樣一個兒童文學類別。因此,在討論所謂「圖畫書」之前,對於「插圖」的探討勢必也要加以探討,才能明白「圖畫書」的真正形成過程。本論文就臺灣圖畫書發展過程中,學者對於圖畫書的定義,及相關理論書籍中的界定進行觀察,並將理論所提,對照於同時期圖畫書的出版,歷數臺灣圖畫書發展過程中的轉變情形。
The most distinctive difference between Picture books and other genre of children's literature is the emphasis and use of pictures. Books with pictures are not equal to Picture books, the term "Picture books" is now a literature terminology. The concept of illustrations for books appeared earlier than Picture books. Only if illustrations werc valued equal to or even superior than words, "Picture books" as a genre might appear. Therefore, before discussing what so called "Picture books", we must discuss the relative issues of illustrations first so that we can realize the actual progression of "Picture books". This thesis compares the definitions of picture books brought up by scholars and relative theoretical books in the progression Pictures Books in Taiwan, with the publication of picture books of that period. It also discusses the transition of the progression Picture Books in Taiwan.