Category: Fiction Picture Books

ReFoReMo Day 25: Editor Brett Duquette Voices his Viewpoint on Voice

3/25/2016

By Brett Duquette
Editor
Sterling Children's Books
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Voice in writing always seems to be a tough concept to nail down. But strong voice, at its core, is what unifies the point of view of a book and all the other elements (characters, plot, language, art) within. When one of these things is out of sync with the others, that’s when voice falls apart. For example, if a character is totally, completely, overwhelmingly happy with her 4th birthday party, she should be noticing brightly colored balloons, birds chirping in the sky, the mouthwatering smell of her grandmother’s homemade icing. Not, that the balloons are causing too many static shocks, the chirping birds are shrill and too loud, or that the icing is too goopy or wet. That second set of examples would be a girl who is UNHAPPY with her 4th birthday party, and would be a totally different book. That is all probably very obvious, but it illustrates the point. To have strong voice means that the components of a story are selected carefully and aligned with the point of view the book (or character) is trying to get across. Here are some examples:

Last Stop on Market Street
By Matt de La Peña, pictures by Christian Robinson
To witness strong voice, pay attention to what CJ wants. These desires are stated, examined, and then satisfied (in unexpected ways). That refrain is consistent and logical. What he wants, what he sees, how he communicates… it’s all in harmony. This interior logic, or voice, makes the message of the book clear.

Open this Little Book
By Jesse Klausmeier, illustrated by Suzy lee
This beautiful picture book lets the format be very involved in the voice. Could you imagine what this book would be like if the pages themselves didn’t get smaller and smaller? Even if they were outlined in black ink, and the view of image was continuously shrinking, it wouldn’t work nearly the same way or with the same incredible charm. Though there aren’t many words here, this book is a great example of voice. Its interior logic is perfect!

The Snowy Day
By Ezra Jack Keats
The enjoyment of snow is described and illustrated so perfectly and consistently with not a word out of place. The path that takes Peter from one situation to another is clear and logical. Nothing feels forced or pushed.

Good Question: Which Way to Freedom? And Other Questions about the Underground Railroad
By Mary Kay Carson
Voice in non-fiction picture books is also very tricky. What I love about this particular book is that despite the complexity of certain situations, the tone does not shift. Mary Kay Carson expertly maintains a clear and even voice throughout.

The Curious Garden
By Peter Brown
I could have picked anything by Peter Brown, but I will always be in awe of The Curious Garden. Brown is a master of making sure every piece of his work is aligned which makes the voice of his works unwavering.

Brett Duquette is an editor at Sterling Publishing in New York. His list includes middle grade fiction, picture books, and non-fiction. He doesn’t like sweets, but he loves donuts.

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ReFoReMo Day 22: Deborah Underwood Corresponds with Opportunities

3/22/2016

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By Deborah Underwood

In studying correspondence-based picture books, I found numerous possibilities: one single letter, one-way correspondence, back-and-forth letters between two characters, letters between many different characters, and letters used in combination with a narrative (like my favorite, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type).

Few picture books use this potentially-tricky format—to me, that indicates an opportunity!

Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett
Dear Mrs. LaRue Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, Illustrated by David Small
Dear Tabby by Carolyn Crimi, Illustrated by David Roberts

Chronicle Books is giving away a copy of Interstellar Cinderella to one lucky winner at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. Thank you, Chronicle! To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on every post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

Deborah Underwood is the author of numerous picture books, including Interstellar Cinderella, The Quiet Book, Here Comes Valentine Cat, and the forthcoming Good Night, Baddies. Please visit her online at DeborahUnderwoodBooks.com.

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ReFoReMo Day 16: Carrie Gelson Celebrates Girl Power

3/17/2016

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By Carrie Gelson

Characters impact their readers. They reveal ways to be strong. Ways to be wise. Say hello to creative, introspective, determined girls. Girls who are independent thinkers and make their own way in the world. Celebrate these books that inspire young readers to be problem solvers. Sometimes quiet planning and original thinking are as important as big and bold moves.

Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen, with illustrations by Matt Phelan

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke

Sparky! by Jenny Offill, with illustrations by Chris Appelhans

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki, with illustrations by Qin Leng

Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, with illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf

Carrie Gelson teaches Grades 2 and 3 in Vancouver B.C. She is always looking for ways to share the love of reading with her students and shares highlights of her reading and teaching journey on her blog There’s a book for that.

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ReFoReMo Day 11: Editor Shari Dash Greenspan Relies on Read-Aloud-Ability

3/11/2016

232 Comments

By Shari Dash Greenspan

For over 25 years, I’ve been the Story Hour lady at our local library where I read six to eight picture books to a small crowd of 4-8 year olds. The kids then vote for their favorite. Contrary to the high concept, low word-count picture books popular these days, their favorites are almost inevitably longer books with more involved story lines. Each of the five books below was voted ‘best loved’ by my little listeners, and all share what I call ‘read-aloud-ability.’ What do they have in common? An opening that instantly draws kids in, multiple characters whose dialogue can be read in varied voices, a riveting plot, excellent pacing, humor (whether laugh-out-loud or the quieter sort), strong emotional pull, and a satisfying conclusion. Fantasy creatures are always a draw (three of these include a witch, monster, or giant), but even without a magical element, intriguing plot and stellar writing can yield a winning read-aloud.

Heckedy Peg by Audrey and Don Wood. 1020 words.

This tale of a witch who turns seven children into seven types of food is my all-time favorite read-aloud. Can their clever mother break the spell? I have the kids practice speaking in the witch’s voice before I begin, so I don’t scare them silly.

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney. 853 words.

This seemingly quiet book about friends who turn a rock-covered hill into an imaginary town is always completely captivating.

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam. 1153 words.

The perfect balance of giggles and shivers, plus five different monster voices.

Ira Sleeps Over written and illustrated by Bernard Waber. 1187 words.

Should Ira bring his teddy bear to his first sleep-over? Kids completely relate to this character and his predicament. Kid-true dialogue makes them laugh out loud.

Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger, illustrated by Michael Hays.
629 words.

Has all of the features mentioned above, and the added allure of a sing-along refrain.

Shari Dash Greenspan is the editor and art director of Flashlight Press, a small indie publisher specializing in picture books, founded in 2004, and distributed by IPG. Among their terrific titles are I Need My Monster, When a Dragon Moves In, When a Dragon Moves In Again, Maddi’s Fridge, Dragon and Captain, and Too Much Glue. www.FlashlightPress.com

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ReFoReMo Day 9: Maria Gianferrari Crosses Genres

3/9/2016

408 Comments

My manuscripts often change genres during revision. Don’t be afraid to read across genres to find the best mentor text!

For humorous, engaging voice, read Bridget Heos’s I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are:

Fun fly facts and clever word play from beginning to back matter.

For packing an emotional punch:

Jessixa Bagley’s Boats for Papa:

Eve Bunting’s Yard Sale:

For theme, Barbara Kerley’s A Home for Mr. Emerson:

From its opening to its ending, Kerley’s biography poignantly focuses on hearth and home.

My go-to book for rhyme, rhythm and refrain is the lyrical lullaby, You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple:

Read what you don’t write, cross genres, experiment—you never know where you’ll find inspiration!

Maria is giving away a copy of PENNY & JELLY: THE SCHOOL SHOW and book swag, too! Thanks so much, Maria! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Maria’s debut picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show released in July 2015. Three books are forthcoming in 2016: Penny & Jelly Slumber Under the Stars (June); Coyote Moon (July) and Officer Katz & Houndini: A Tale of Two Tales (October).

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ReFoReMo Day 8: Janie Reinart Contemplates the Heart of It All

3/8/2016

427 Comments

“The head does not hear…until the heart has listened…”

~James Stevens

What makes your heart stop mid-beat when you are reading a story? For me it is:

1. The detail of red shoes.

2. The voice of innocence.

3. The layers of meaning.

4. A question answered.

5. The humor in the story.

Janie is giving away Anne Whitford Paul's book, Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication! This is an incredible resource for picture book writers! Thanks Janie!
To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on this post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

Janie Reinart has worn many hats--educator, author, theater major, professional puppeteer, interactive musical storyteller, a clown hat in a hospital’s gentle clowning ministry, and a poet's beret at an inner city school helping children find their voice. She lives in Ohio with her husband. She's always up for a game, hopscotch, or dress-up. Ask her thirteen grandchildren.

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ReFoReMo Day 7: Tom Lichtenheld Approaches Uncomfortable Subjects

3/7/2016

215 Comments

By Tom Lichtenheld

I admire picture books that teach a lesson about uncomfortable subjects without being preachy. These selections deliver a message by provoking thought rather than stating a moral.

By subject:

Death
Where Do We Go When We Disappear?
Isabel Minhós Martins / Madalena Matoso

Using examples such as puddles that evaporate and sands that shift, the book suggests that change is constant and natural; a viewpoint which softens but doesn’t ignore our own mortality.

Redemption
The Promise
Nicola Davies / Laura Carlin

A young street thief accosts a woman and tries to steal her bag. The victim will give over the bag only if the thief promises to “plant them.” It turns out the bag is full of acorns, which the thief, as promised, plants throughout the city, transforming the landscape and herself.

Imperialism
Jemmy Button
Jennifer Uman / Valerio Vidali / Alix Barzelay

Based on the true story of a young boy who, in 1830, was taken from Tierra del Fuego and shipped to England to be taught the ways of civilized society. Things go south.

Irrational Fears
Scaredy Squirrel
Mélanie Watt

I love Scaredy’s temporary transformations because they’re more realistic than the customary hero who completely overcomes his or her shortcomings.

Materialism
The Gift of Nothing
Patrick McDonnell

Patrick McDonnell delivers a fun, thoughtful reminder that the best gift is simply ourselves.

Tom is giving away a signed copy of the New York Times Bestselling picture book I WISH YOU MORE, in which he illustrated! Thanks, Tom! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Tom Lichtenheld is a children’s book author and illustrator. His books are noted for their humor, expressive characters, and rich – sometimes hidden – detail. He’s known for creating books that appeal to children and adults alike, and his wide portfolio of books offers something for every age. For more information visit tomlichtenheld.com

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ReFoReMo Day 5: Tammi Sauer Models HOW-TO do the Structure Strut

3/5/2016

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By Tammi Sauer

A while back, I challenged myself to write picture books using structures and approaches I’ve never used before. Oh, the horror! The stress! The excitement!

I said see you later to my beloved Classic Picture Book Structure (MC has a problem, MC faces obstacles of escalating difficulty, MC encounters black moment, MC figures out how to solve the problem and grows/changes by the story’s end). This wasn’t easy. That structure had served me well in many of my books including Mostly Monsterly and Princess in Training. Still. I wanted to push myself creatively.

I went on to write manuscripts that used the Circle Structure (Your Alien, Sterling 2015 and Your Alien Returns, Sterling 2016) and the Cumulative Structure (The Farm That Mac Built, HMH 2017). I also tried a variety of writing approaches. I told a book entirely in dialogue (Roar!, S&S 2015). I even—gasp!!!—wrote a rhymer (Mary Had a Little Glam, Sterling 2016).

But I also wanted to give the How-To…Structure a try. This structure offers readers information on, you guessed it, how to do something. I took a deep breath then set out to give myself the best education I could. I hit my bookshelves, the bookstore, and the library. Lucky for me, there were many good examples of books that use the How-To… Structure.

Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
So You Want to Be a Rock Star by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds
How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

The more books I read and analyzed, the more I realized that this structure did not involve a list of bland, disjointed steps for accomplishing a task. Nope. Nope. Nope. These steps (along with the art) needed to tell a real deal story. There needed to be a beginning, middle, and end. There needed to be characters, conflict, plot, setting…. There needed to be opportunities for readers to feel something.

How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Kate Hindley
What To Do If an Elephant Stands on Your Foot by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Peter Reynolds
I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helen Boudreau, illustrated by Serg Bloch
The Younger Brother’s Survival Guide written and illustrated by Lisa Kopelke

I also noticed that many of these books were written in second person.

Armed with this information, I knew what to include in my how-to manuscript.I just, um, needed a good idea.
For me, that is always the very hardest part of the writing process. I thought and I thought and I thought. Nothing.
I thought some more. More nothing.

Then one day, I was in PetSmart with my son. He want-want-wanted a pet dwarf hamster. The two of us were looking at the hamsters. He was filled with elation. I was filled with dread. And I noticed something. Next to the aquariums packed with hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice was a rack of Pet Care Guides. Hmm!

Credit: PetSmart

Now I was filled with elation.
I had a good idea!
I decided to write an outrageous, over-the-top pet care guide.
Caring for Your Lion sold to Sterling at auction. Thank you, PetSmart.

I worked really hard to make Caring for Your Lion irresistible. But here’s the thing. I never would have been able to create it if I hadn’t read and studied those mentor texts. Mentor texts help writers make good things great.
For those of you interested in writing a manuscript using the How-To…Structure, I wanted to include some additional mentor texts that have come out since I sold my book.

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel
How to Behave at a Tea Party by Madelyn Rosenberg, illustrated by Heather Ross
A Beginner's Guide to Bearspotting by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by David Roberts

What better way to celebrate ReFoReMo than with some CAKE?! Tammi is giving away a signed, first edition copy of her soon-to-be-released I LOVE CAKE: STARRING RABBIT, PORCUPINE, AND MOOSE (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, May 3) to one lucky duck. To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Tammi Sauer is a former teacher and library media specialist. She has sold 25 picture books to major publishing houses—Bloomsbury, Disney*Hyperion, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Simon & Schuster, and Sterling. In addition to winning awards, her books have gone on to do great things. Mostly Monsterly was selected for the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. Me Want Pet! was recently released in French which makes her feel extra fancy. And Nugget and Fang, along with Tammi herself, was featured on the Spring 2015 Scholastic Book Fair DVD which was shared with millions of students. Her newest book, I Love Cake!: Starring Rabbit, Porcupine, and Moose (HarperCollins), is available May 3, 2016.

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ReFoReMo Day 4: Linda Ashman Talks Dialogue

3/4/2016

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If you’ve ever been in one of my workshops, you probably know my three-word writing philosophy:

Just try stuff.

And one of my favorite exercises to try is the dialogue-only story. Here’s the challenge:

No narration.
No scene setting.
No description.
No he said/she said.

Just two (or more) characters talking. That’s it.

Limiting the text to dialogue forces us to think cinematically, an essential skill for picture book writers. Imagine those 32 pages as a movie, the opening scene pulling you in, each page turn propelling the story forward until it’s all wrapped up on that final, satisfying page.

Even if you ultimately decide you don’t want to limit the manuscript to dialogue, this exercise is an excellent way to hear your characters’ voices. You can always fill in the action and description later if you feel they’re needed.

For the examples below, I focused on fairly recent books that offered variations on the dialogue-only theme. Some are told in two voices, some in many. Some use font variations (e.g., color, typeface) to distinguish among characters; some use speech bubbles. As you read these books, listen for the distinct voice of each character and notice how the dialogue works with the illustrations to tell the story.

If you’ve got a young child around, you might notice another feature of dialogue-only books: they’re great for paired reading. Kids often memorize their “parts” before they’re actually able to read. (I’m a big fan of Mary Ann Hoberman’s You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You series for that reason.)

So read these books, and if you’re itching to try your own dialogue-only story, you’ll find some prompts on my Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/lindaashman/. You’ll also find a board with additional books that didn’t make it on this list—it was tough to limit it to ten!

1. Ask Me by Bernard Waber, illustrated by Susie Lee.

An exuberant little girl repeatedly instructs her dad to ask her what she likes as they go walking on a colorful fall day. Note the child-like voice of the girl and the loving and patient voice of the dad.

2. Cheetah Can’t Lose by Bob Shea.

Here we have three characters speaking—a boastful cheetah and the two little cats who try to outsmart him so they can win the big race for a change.

3. That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems (2013)

Mo Willems gives this book the feel of a silent movie. A conversation between a fox and a goose, interrupted by a chorus of concerned baby geese, leads to a surprise ending.

4. No Nap! Yes Nap! by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino.

A model of brevity and limited vocabulary with just 120-odd words—but only 20 different words. It’s the only example in which there’s an actual attribution. The first page—Mama says,

Nap. Baby says, NO NAP!—establishes that Mom’s speech will be in italics and Baby’s in regular font for the rest of the book.

5. I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt.

A conversation between a young frog who wants to be anything but a frog, an older frog who tells him he’s got to be a frog, and a wolf who makes him feel grateful for what he is.

6. Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

This is older than most of the examples, but it’s so clever I didn’t want to leave it out. It’s also unusual in that we never actually see the two characters having the conversation.

7. Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas

Jan Thomas is a master at creating funny and interactive dialogue-only books. In this one, her “brave cowboy” turns out to be a bit of a scaredy-cat.

8. My Name is Elizabeth! By Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe.

Through the use of speech bubbles, we see that friends and family have many different

nicknames for Elizabeth, much to her dismay. As the title suggests, she sets them all straight, loudly and clearly.

9. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

It’s not all that recent, and I’m pretty sure you’ve all read it, but it was such a huge hit I couldn’t leave it off the list.

10. Rain! By Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Before writing Rain! and No Dogs Allowed—both very brief, dialogue-only books—I read a lot of wordless books to help me understand how illustrations advance a story with minimal text. I also sketched out a bunch of scribbly storyboards to figure out pacing, adding dialogue along the
way.

I know writers are often concerned about what a dialogue-only manuscript looks like. Given that the illustrations tell so much of the story, how do you convey that in the text? If you’d like to see two examples, the manuscripts for Rain! And No Dogs Allowed! are available on my website: lindaashman.com. (Look for the “For Writers” section at the bottom.)

Linda is giving away a copy of each of her new 2016 picture books to three winners! Thanks Linda!
To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on this post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

Linda Ashman is the author of more than thirty picture books and The Nuts & Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books. Her books have been included on the “best of the year” lists of The New York Times, Parenting and Child magazines, the New York Public Library and more. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Visit her at lindaashman.com.

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ReFoReMo Day 3: Janee Trasler Leaves Room for Illustrations

3/3/2016

434 Comments

By Janee Trasler

I love picture books that allow the illustrations to tell a part of the story that the text doesn’t. I think it invites our audience in and gives them a chance to more actively participate as “readers” instead of just listeners.

The illustrations can tell a different story from the text, they can allow the audience to see/know something the narrator doesn’t, they can be the punch line to a textual joke, or can even tell another, parallel, story. Any of these techniques can up the ante for the listening audience.

I think writers who also illustrate their own texts often have an easier time with this, because we know we’re going to capture that vision when it comes to the illustrations. But I have also seen books where the author does a terrific job of letting the illustrations talk. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the author hasn’t written that part of the story, he or she may have written it in an art note.

The recent examples listed in this post range from wordless books, where the whole story is told in the illustrations, to books where just a portion of the story is in the art rather than the text.

Flora and the Flamingo, by Molly Idle
Flora and the Penguin, by Molly Idle
Where’s Walrus? and Penguin?, by Stephen Savage
Who Done It?, by Olivier Tallac
Mine!, by Shutta Crum and Patrice Barton
Uh-Oh!, by Shutta Crum and Patrice Barton
Your Alien, by Tammi Sauer*
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, by Dan Santat
Shh! We Have a Plan, by Chris Haughton

*Tammi is fabulous at leaving room for illustrations.

Woah! Awesome examples, Janee! And folks, Janee sets a great example through her own work. CAVEMAN A B.C. STORY is one of my "go-to" books when I am studying interplay between text and illustration in sparse word counts.

Janee is giving away one copy of CAVEMAN A B.C. STORY at the conclusion of ReFoReMo! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Janee Trasler loves to make kids laugh. Whether she's writing and illustrating books, singing silly songs, or making puppets do their thing, nothing makes her happier than hearing that giggle! She is the author of the Chickies series for babies and toddlers from HarperCollins.

She lives in lovely Grapevine Texas with her sweetie-pie husband John, two guinea pigs, a pack of puppies and a big ol’ pile of puppets.