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Welcome to Part 2 of Josh Funk's author interview. If you have not read Part 1 yet, you can find it HERE. Don't miss out!
Do you utilize mentor texts? If so, were there any that helped you when writing Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast?
I wrote Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast very early on in my picture book writing life. I think it’s the fourth book I ever wrote, so at the time I probably didn’t think of ‘mentor texts’ the way I do now. My favorite picture books at the time were Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts, The Curious Garden by Peter Brown, Vunce Upon a Time by J. Otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian, and The Gardener by Sarah Stewart & David Small. I’m not sure there are any particular connections between those books and mine, but they were (and still are) some of my favorites.
Do you utilize mentor texts? If so, were there any that helped you when writing Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast?
I wrote Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast very early on in my picture book writing life. I think it’s the fourth book I ever wrote, so at the time I probably didn’t think of ‘mentor texts’ the way I do now. My favorite picture books at the time were Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts, The Curious Garden by Peter Brown, Vunce Upon a Time by J. Otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian, and The Gardener by Sarah Stewart & David Small. I’m not sure there are any particular connections between those books and mine, but they were (and still are) some of my favorites.
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What do you feel is the BEST way for picture book writers to utilize mentor texts?
One BEST way, eh? Well, I say read as many picture book texts as you can to ensure that your idea is unique and different and unlike anything you’ve read. Hopefully that will help it stand out and shine when trying to impress an agent, editor, acquisitions team, reviewer, educator, and eventually a child.
I agree, Josh! The Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) challenge is the perfect way to kick start this goal. You can find Josh's mini post from our first annual event right HERE! But you don't have to wait for next March to get started. You can experience this past ReFoReMo at your own pace HERE or utilize THIS POST for additional mentor text recommendations. This blog encourages and recommends great mentor texts year round.
Great mentor text recommendations are everywhere, but I'd like to give a shout-out to Matthew Winner's weekly review series called THE BEST BOOK EVER [THIS WEEK]. You can listen to this series during breakfast at the beginning of the week and then seek the books out to read later in your week. It will help you keep up with the current market!
A BIG thanks to Josh for being with us in this two-part interview! If you haven't read Part 1 yet, slide on over to Carrie On... Together! To read my review of LP & SFT, visit HERE.
One BEST way, eh? Well, I say read as many picture book texts as you can to ensure that your idea is unique and different and unlike anything you’ve read. Hopefully that will help it stand out and shine when trying to impress an agent, editor, acquisitions team, reviewer, educator, and eventually a child.
I agree, Josh! The Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) challenge is the perfect way to kick start this goal. You can find Josh's mini post from our first annual event right HERE! But you don't have to wait for next March to get started. You can experience this past ReFoReMo at your own pace HERE or utilize THIS POST for additional mentor text recommendations. This blog encourages and recommends great mentor texts year round.
Great mentor text recommendations are everywhere, but I'd like to give a shout-out to Matthew Winner's weekly review series called THE BEST BOOK EVER [THIS WEEK]. You can listen to this series during breakfast at the beginning of the week and then seek the books out to read later in your week. It will help you keep up with the current market!
A BIG thanks to Josh for being with us in this two-part interview! If you haven't read Part 1 yet, slide on over to Carrie On... Together! To read my review of LP & SFT, visit HERE.
Josh Funk lives in New England with his wife and children. He is the author of LADY PANCAKE & SIR FRENCH TOAST (Sterling 2015), and the forthcoming picture books DEAR DRAGON (Viking/Penguin 2016), PIRASAURS! (Scholastic 2017), and JACK! [and the beanstalk] (Two Lions 2017). Find more information about his books at JoshFunkBooks.com and VISIT HERE for the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Activity Kit!
Josh is the co-coordinator of the 2016 and 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference and is a board member of The Writers' Loft in Sherborn, MA.
Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________.
Josh is the co-coordinator of the 2016 and 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference and is a board member of The Writers' Loft in Sherborn, MA.
Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________.
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