ReFoReMo Day 6: Joyce Sweeney Applies the Plot Clock

by Joyce Sweeney

While preparing my Picture Book Essentials writing e-course, I had to delve into every area of craft. Different picture books served as perfect mentor texts for the essentials. 

I definitely had my breakthrough on how to teach the plotting for picture books when I read CHICKEN DANCE by Tammi Sauer.  She hits each and every one of the plot points perfectly and helped me see how my plot clock template best translates into picture books. 

Another very good example of plotting came from CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE by Doreen Cronin (illustrated by Betsy Lewin).  I discovered that in picture books a plot point might be completely carried by the illustration (art note) and not need words at all.  That was a big revelation. 

The LITTLE MATADOR by Julian Hector is one I constantly use for teaching and I think it is the best on what I call structure (different from plot) because Hector knows how to set up characters and situations to illicit the most possible emotion from the reader. 

Another favorite for emotion and feeling is BIRD by Zetta Elliott (illustrated by Shandra Stickland). It's a picture book clearly for older children who may be reluctant readers and deals with a very serious and powerful subject (addiction).  I can still read it today and be moved by the way the words and pictures work in harmony to make us feel. 

For voice, I look to two of my own students; Sandra Markle for the beautiful, poetic type of voice (SNOW SCHOOL is my favorite) and Rob Sanders for bouncy, fun playful language that makes a read aloud truly fun.  I think my favorite of his will always be COWBOY CHRISTMAS.  Every verb is perfectly chosen! 

I've learned a lot from Toni Buzzeo about remembering to think and feel as a child. My favorite of hers is ONE COOL FRIEND (illustrated by Davis Small). 

As far as educational/non-fiction types of books, no one does it better than Andrea David Pinkney. My all time favorite is MARTIN & MAHALIA, (with Brian Pinkney) which creatively weaves Mahalia Jackson's songs with Martin Luther King's words and the illustrations weave too!   

Finally, I think I am most inspired by Peter Brown's MR. TIGER GOES WILD.  It really hits all the marks, great language, great plot, totally kid friendly, fantastic illustrations and every element works together. Plus it has a tiger! 

And for all around humor, nothing beats Jonathan London's FROGGY books (illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz). All of them.  I'm also very excited about, Fred Koehler's first book, HOW TO CHEER UP DAD.  It has so much heart and soul, and real potential to be a rising star. 

I think what makes all these books so good is that the authors and illustrators found their own style and passion and learned how to showcase it.  None of them looks or sounds like anyone else.  And I think that's the key. Learn the rules and then find your own voice within them.  Best wishes!

PRIZE ALERT
Joyce is giving away a picture book course:  Fiction Picture Book Essentials On-Demand, at the conclusion of ReFoReMo!  To be eligible, please leave her a a comment here, read consistently, and record your efforts.

Joyce Sweeney has coached and mentored 52 authors to successful, traditional publication.  Among those are many picture book writers such as Janeen Mason, Rob Sanders, Fred Koehler, Aimee Reed and Sandra Markle.  Her ten week course, Picture Book Essentials, is available at http://www.sweeneywritingcoach.com/.  In addition, Joyce is a mentor to writers in other genres, the author of fourteen novels and one book of poetry and a producer and director for the theater company, The Playgroup LLC.