How to Cite an Illustrated Book in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 09/24/2024

Accurate citation is crucial in academic writing because it acknowledges original authors and strengthens the credibility of the work. Proper citations help readers verify information and explore further sources. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format provides clear guidelines for citing different types of sources.

This article offers a straightforward guide on how to cite illustrated books in MLA format. Illustrated books combine text and images, so it’s important to credit both the author and the illustrator. 

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF EACH ELEMENT

The general format for citing a book includes several key elements, each serving a distinct purpose in the citation. The elements are as follows:

• Author’s Name: The first element of the citation is the author’s name, which can be an individual (last name first, followed by the first name), an organization (full name without abbreviations), or multiple authors (first author inverted followed by “and” for the second, or “et al.” for three or more).
• Title of the Book: The title of the book is the next component and should be italicized. Italicizing the title helps to distinguish it from other parts of the citation. The title should be followed by a period. 
• Illustrator’s Name: If the book includes illustrations and has a credited illustrator, their name should be included in the citation. This is introduced with the phrase “Illustrated by,” which acknowledges the contribution of the illustrator to the work. 
• Publisher: The name of the publisher follows the illustrator’s name (if applicable). It is important to include the publisher to provide context regarding the distribution of the book. The publisher’s name is followed by a comma. 
• Year of Publication: The final element in the citation is the year of publication. This indicates when the book was released and is crucial for referencing the specific edition being cited. The year is followed by a period. 

CITATION EXAMPLES FOR ILLUSTRATED BOOKS IN MLA

This citation lists Eric Carle’s full name in the Author element, with only his surname, “Carle,” appearing in the Contributor element as the illustrator. This structure is used when the same individual is responsible for both the text and illustrations.

Identify Multiple Illustrators: If a book has more than one illustrator, list each one after “Illustrated by,” separated by commas. For example: “Illustrated by Illustrator One, Illustrator Two.” Include Edition Information: If the book is a specific edition (e.g., 2nd ed., rev. ed.), include this detail after the title and before the illustrator’s name. For instance: Title of Book, 2nd ed., Illustrated by Illustrator’s Name. Use Standard Abbreviations for Publishers: Familiarize yourself with common publisher abbreviations, such as “U of” for University of, and “Pr” for Press. This can help streamline your citations while maintaining professionalism. Use Correct Italics and Punctuation: Always italicize the book title and use proper punctuation, such as commas and periods, according to MLA rules to maintain clarity and correctness in your citation. Format Consistently: Ensure that the entire reference list is formatted consistently, with hanging indents and the same font style and size throughout, adhering to MLA guidelines for overall presentation.