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PreReFoReMo Day 1:  Carrie Charley Brown Lays the Foundation

2/26/2015

98 Comments

 
Are you ready for ReFoReMo?  Watch out for flying books!

With tons of picture book recommendations ready to fly off the shelf and into your home, you may find it helpful to be armed and ready with a library card during ReFoReMo. No one is expecting you to run right out and buy the titles that are mentioned during the challenge. As a picture book addict, I know how tempting that might be. You may even find yourself criss-cross-apple-sauced on the floor of your local book store in order to read some of the desired titles for the first time.  I’m guilty of that, too.  But, the library’s online reserve system is super handy and your kids’ library cards can serve as great back-ups when you’ve maxed yours out.

The goal of ReFoReMo is not to sell more picture books for authors and it’s not for us to share our favorites either. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we all have so many favorites that the list could fill a book on its own.  A big one.  We understand that the picture book market is filled with authors who deserve a shout out.  But, that’s not really what this is about either.  It is about the reading and research that goes into your craft.  Learning how other authors have successfully used mentor texts to improve their writing can help us try new things, too.  ReFoReMo is about the process of utilizing picture books as mentor texts.

Just like any recommended reading list, it is subjective. You may find that some of the books have nothing to do with your writing style. You may disagree with a recommendation.  You may find some books recommended by multiple authors and even similar learning tips.  To me, that’s a good thing.  When I hear something more than once, it tells me to sit up and listen.  But ultimately, you have to decide what works for you.  You know the projects that you have on your table and I applaud your efforts to find a pile of picture books that will enhance each one.

All you need for this experience is an open mind for learning, a willingness to read the daily ReFoReMo posts, a heart for studying the books that appeal to your own personal writing, a pencil, and a notebook. If you registered between February 15-March 1, you may also opt to join the ReFoReMo Facebook group to discuss revelations.

To be eligible for prizes at the conclusion of ReFoReMo, you will want to make efforts to consistently read picture books on a day to day basis between March 8-28.  We are on the honor system, and you must keep track of your own progress.  A complete registration between February 15-March 1 and a comment on the post (with your first/last name that matches registration) is required for eligibility to enter giveaways.  Prizes will be announced as ReFoReMo progresses. The biggest prize will be the knowledge you gain from reading and researching picture books.  We are all winners!

Please feel free to visit the Tools and Schedule tabs for more information.  You’ll find the guest posting schedule, a reading list, and even a few research tools for your convenience.  These sections will grow each day as we reveal more guest posts.  If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask.  The Facebook group is the best place for your questions, but feel free to email Carrie as a second step.  We will do our best to respond as quickly as we can.  

I'll be turning the daily posts over to our guest-educators tomorrow, so I'd like to leave you with a valuable study tool. As a picture book critique mentor, I often see manuscripts that require plotting assistance.  When I experience a plot problem in one of my own stories, I reach for a formula from my teaching roots, and work my way through mentor texts.  While it is true that not all picture books will fit this formula perfectly, the plot connection elements are still there in one way or another. 

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For an example of this formula in action with A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, visit HERE.  For a blank copy, please visit the Tools section of ReFoReMo. I challenge you to study plot.
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Which books do you think have perfect plots?  Leave us a comment below and get ready for a great month of learning!  We’re happy to have you with us.
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Carrie Charley Brown is a professional critique mentor with an editorial eye.  She is the founder of ReFoReMo, a research challenge and blog for picture book writers.  Carrie is a picture book writer, kidlit video producer, writing coach, and guest blogger on various sites.   She runs a separate blog, Carrie On...Together, which features THINK QUICK and Mystery Author interviews each month.  She was a 2014 CYBILS fiction picture book panelist and an elementary teacher.  You can follow her writing journey right here on this site.
98 Comments
sharon giltrow
2/25/2015 08:34:38 pm

thanks for the study tool Carrie a valuable one to study PB's and our own writing :-)

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Elaine Hillson
2/25/2015 09:23:13 pm

Thanks for the study tool Carrie.

And one of my favourite PBs for plot is the Gruffalo.

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 12:25:29 am

I love The Gruffalo, Elaine! I'm looking forward to seeing your plot analysis in the FB group! :)

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Elaine Hillson
2/27/2015 05:58:03 am

I'm not sure I'm brave enough to tackle analysing the Gruffalo in Facebook group just yet. It's a wonderful example though as it starts with such a small desire, works through 3 buts and each so a little more outrageous to a meeting that means working through the previous buts as series of so's until the Gruffalo runs away. The last two lines are just perfect. Once I've figured out how to make all that clearer I'll post it up, but it might be a while.😊

Clark Haaland link
2/25/2015 11:38:37 pm

Perfect timing for this tool in my world. Really looking forward to this month. Thanks Carrie!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:40:27 pm

You are so welcome, Clark! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond!

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Lisa Connors link
2/25/2015 11:48:43 pm

I'm looking forward to this challenge.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:40:57 pm

I hope it is going great for you, Lisa!

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Donna Cangelosi link
2/26/2015 12:56:31 am

Thank you, Carrie! I love this study tool and all the books you listed!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:42:23 pm

Thanks, Donna! We spend so much time analyzing our own plots during revision. Sometimes analyzing other plots helps things click into place even more.

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Jodi Moore link
2/26/2015 12:57:40 am

Great advice, tools and examples...even your blog post celebrates the power of "3"s. :) Thanks so much for organizing ReFoReMo. Excited to jump in!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:43:08 pm

You are so welcome, Jodi! So glad to have you with us!

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Jodi link
2/26/2015 01:01:15 am

This is so fun! A book that I think has a good plot is Sparky. Aside from that fact that it has a sloth in it, which I love, it has a good story arc and great voice, and it has a sloth in it!!

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 03:12:04 am

Sparky was one of our highly discussed books during the CYBILS. :) I'd look forward to seeing your analysis in the FB group!

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Doreen Lepore link
2/26/2015 01:20:53 am

Thanks for the plot tool, Carrie!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:44:14 pm

You are welcome, Doreen! Is it helping you make plot discoveries?

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Sue Heavenrich link
2/26/2015 02:13:37 am

I love Sophie's Squash and Visitor for Bear. Time to revisit them... and thanks for the tool to help visualize what's going on in the plots.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:45:32 pm

You are welcome, Sue! I hope the tool is shining a light for you. Sometimes it is the simplest of things that helps. :)

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Kathleen Birmingham link
2/26/2015 02:25:37 am

Thank you for making such a simple device as a way to deal with a plot problem in my current project. I can see now where I have a problem!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:46:22 pm

Yay, Kathleen! I hope it helps you with many future projects! :)

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Laura Lee Malesh
2/26/2015 02:45:25 am

Thank you for this great graphic organizer! I am off to make a notebook for the month ahead. Let the reading and learning begin!

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 03:08:40 pm

Goooo, Laura Lee!

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Kristi Veitenheimer link
2/26/2015 02:47:16 am

Thanks for the helpful tool. I'm encountering problems with plot in my current manuscript, and this will be so useful! Thanks so much!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:47:06 pm

You are welcome and best wishes plotting, Kristi!

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Kirsti Call link
2/26/2015 02:58:42 am

Carrie! What a wonderful resource for us! I'm looking forward to really paying attention to the PB's that I read and improving my writing skills with this challenge.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:47:45 pm

Yay, Kirsti! Thanks!

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Lori Alexander link
2/26/2015 03:36:00 am

I love this plotting tool! Although it's an older title, I think HARRY THE DIRTY DOG has the perfect plot structure. And for something more current, any of Tammi Sauer's books make fantastic mentor texts.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:48:52 pm

Tammi Sauer is a plot master!!! I will have to "dig" up Harry the Dirty Dog again and put it through a plot workout! Thanks for the rec!

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Myrna Foster link
2/26/2015 03:48:19 am

Thanks for doing this! LEONARDO, THE TERRIBLE MONSTER, by Mo Willems, has a great plot.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:49:56 pm

You are welcome, Myrna! I look forward to reading Leonardo again and analyzing the plot connections! Thanks!

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Lauri Meyers link
2/26/2015 03:58:11 am

You know I think my first grader has to fill out a similar worksheet... why haven't I been doing that when I read PBs???

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 04:05:59 am

Good eye, Lauri! I used to teach first grade! ;)

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JEN Garrett link
2/26/2015 04:02:50 am

PRINCESS IN TRAINING by Tami Sauer and Joe Berger has that exact plot structure. I'm off to the library to find more! :) What a fun adventure.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:51:02 pm

You are right, Jen! Tammi's books are plotted very, very well!

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Joyce Tucker link
2/26/2015 04:37:17 am

I used this all the time with my students! Thanks for the organizer...I love it.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:53:15 pm

And now we are the students, Joyce. ;)

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Rita Lorraine link
2/26/2015 05:26:47 am

Thanks!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:53:41 pm

You are welcome, Rita! So happy to have you with us!

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Sydney O'Neill
2/26/2015 06:20:10 am

Thanks for the handy worksheet. We're off to a great start.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:54:24 pm

You are welcome, Sydney! I hope things are really going well for you so far!

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Erin Nowak link
2/26/2015 06:31:15 am

Thanks Carrie! I'm going to test this plot study out on Sleepover With Beatrice and Bear by Monica Carnesi (Since that book is sitting next to me!), can't wait to reserve today's other mentor texts at the library!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:55:44 pm

You are welcome! Studying plot with mentor texts is very enlightening!

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Heidi Yates
2/26/2015 07:31:28 am

Thank you Carrie! I am looking forward to reading the recommended books.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:56:27 pm

Great to hear this, Heidi! I hope it is going really well for you!

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 07:34:07 am

Thanks for the support and appreciation, everyone! It is so inspiring to see so much excitement and determination for learning our craft! There's gonna be a whole of a great PB writing on the horizon!

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Suzy Leopold
2/26/2015 07:46:35 am

The foundation is being laid. Looking forward to reading many great picture books and using many tools to build upon this solid foundation. Carry On, Carrie!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:57:40 pm

So happy to have you with me on this journey, Suzy! Thanks for your help in the Facebook group! I hope you learn lots through your research, too!

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Jennifer Cole Judd link
2/26/2015 08:21:07 am

Love this worksheet!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:58:00 pm

Thanks, Jen! So happy to have you here!

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Bev
2/26/2015 08:52:07 am

What a great tool to begin this journey. So looking forward to this delving into mentor texts. Have already reserved some books at the library. Looking forward to lots of reading in the month ahead. Thanks so much for taking this on.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:58:36 pm

You are welcome, Bev! Happy to research with you!

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Julie Jost Burchstead link
2/26/2015 08:57:26 am

I love the plot of The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. It is so much fun and the implied message is such a great one.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 04:59:37 pm

I read that one during my time as a CYBILS judge this past fall, Julie! I look forward to reading it again and analyzing the plot.

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Maria Marshall
2/26/2015 09:37:57 am

Carrie, Thank you for this tool. This will be very helpful in evaluating mentor texts and my own.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:00:00 pm

You are welcome, Maria!

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shirley johnson
2/26/2015 10:33:43 am

Thanks for sharing this great resource.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:00:17 pm

Happy to help, Shirley!

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Keila Dawdon link
2/26/2015 01:23:17 pm

Dog vs. Cat has a great plot structure. One of my new favorites.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:00:42 pm

I will take a peek at that one, Keila! Thanks!

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Marlaina Gray Cockcroft link
2/26/2015 02:40:29 pm

Neat worksheet, thanks!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:01:04 pm

You are welcome, Marlaina!

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Janie Reinart
2/26/2015 02:57:01 pm

I like THIS ORG by David Elliott for plot. Great humor and voice too.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:01:33 pm

That's a fun one, Janie!

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Annette Bay Pimentel link
2/26/2015 03:03:26 pm

I'd thought of Knock, Knock Who's There by Sally Grindley-one of my favorite read-alouds- as being organized around repetition but it also totally worked to use this organizer to describe it.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:02:12 pm

Cool! Thanks for another recommendation, Annette!

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Carrie Charley Brown
2/26/2015 03:08:08 pm

Great recommendations, everyone! Keep 'em comin! :)

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Vivian Kirkfield link
2/26/2015 05:20:50 pm

I get to read more picture books every day! Yay!!!
This is bliss, Carrie. ;)
Tomorrow is the last day of Christie Wild's PB 14:14 where we studied ten top elements in picture books, blogging about them for 14 days...plot, rhyme, conflict, etc. and when that challenge finishes, this one picks up...perfect!
And I love the study tool...you are awesome. ;)

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:03:54 pm

Very cool, Vivian! I am just starting to hear a few people mention Christie's study. Sounds great!

Enjoy the study tool!

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Jarm Del Boccio link
2/27/2015 01:08:40 am

Thanks so much for this helpful tool, Carrie! Since I am a historical fiction PB writer, I love, "What to Do About Alice?" by Barbara Kerley.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:04:38 pm

Thanks for adding the historical fiction spin on this, Jarm!

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Rachel Hamby link
2/27/2015 09:10:21 am

I think Tammi Sauer and Sudipta B-Q plot their books very well. One of my favorites from Tammi is ME WANT PET because it's so simple to see how she's plotted out the story, but the idea/twist is so brilliant!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:05:56 pm

I love ME WANT PET, too, Rachel! My favorite of Sudipta's is ORANGUTANGLED! And it rhymes!

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Joanne Sher link
2/28/2015 12:53:37 am

LOVE this! Gonna analyze "I Need My Own Country," I think. Hopefully today or tomorrow. And definitely requesting a couple of your recommendations. THANKS!!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:06:30 pm

I love that story, Joanne!

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Deirdre Englehart link
2/28/2015 01:13:10 am

I am excited to look more closely at all the great book suggestions and enhance my own writing! I'm excited!,

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:07:10 pm

Excitement is contagious, Deirdre! Keep it comin'! :)

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Manju Howard link
2/28/2015 09:46:13 am

Thank you for all the work you put into organizing ReFoReMo.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:07:47 pm

You are welcome, Manju! It is a labor of love!

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Laura
2/28/2015 11:09:28 am

Thanks for the plotting tool. Two of my recent favorites: Scowl and The Mermaid and the Shoe.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:08:19 pm

You are welcome, Laura! Thanks for the extra recs!

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Maria Laso
2/28/2015 06:10:59 pm

Exciting! Excited!!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:08:45 pm

So happy to have you here, Maria!

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Laura J / Laura Jenkins link
3/1/2015 02:41:57 am

Today's the big day. Good luck everyone and thank you Carrie for this opportunity.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:09:06 pm

You are welcome, Laura!

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AJ Irving link
3/2/2015 03:21:42 am

Thank you for the worksheet! Just what I needed!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:10:02 pm

I'm the mean teacher handing out boring worksheets on the first day of class! :) Good thing it works! :)

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Teresa MI Schaefer link
3/3/2015 02:15:43 pm

Carrie -- Thanks for hosting this. I hear about mentor texts all the time, but never really had the opportunity to learn in the way they you have set this month up to be!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:10:37 pm

You are welcome! Great to have you here, Teresa!

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Gina Silvester
3/4/2015 10:11:37 am

Just getting to this today...better late than never. Got a bunch of these books at the library and love the simplicity of the tool. Thanks Carrie

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/5/2015 05:11:37 pm

I'm just getting to this today, too, Gina! Whew! You are welcome! Hold onto your hat! There's a reading frenzy going on!

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Alice Fulgione
3/7/2015 02:18:55 am

I'm really enjoying all the picture book reading. What a wonderful way to learn!

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Zainab
3/9/2015 06:12:46 pm

Any opportunity to hone my craft through reading, is a fun activity. Thank you.

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Juliana Lee link
3/10/2015 04:00:09 pm

Library website favorited on yahoo. Holds list growing. Card in hand.... CHARGE!

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shereentv
3/12/2015 11:06:41 am

I just checked out SOPHIE'S SQUASH today...among others. I returned a bunch of books, and the librarian said, "I hope your youngsters enjoyed all of these great books." (I don't have kids. But I didn't tell her that.)

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Beth Gallagher
3/18/2015 02:32:27 am

This is fabulous, Carrie. Thanks so much for doing this wonderful challenge!!!

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Pamela Saha link
3/29/2015 06:53:28 am

I really enjoyed Sophie's Squash and I couldn't guess where it was going until the visit back to the farmer's market. I was entertained throughout but still retained an uneasiness as this could escalate to bigger problems-lots of squash taking over the whole yard and still unanswered uncomfortable questions. Still, it presents a great humorous style to be emulated.

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Chris Perry link
2/28/2016 09:44:49 am

I reviewed The Only Child. It is wordless and it starts with a child who is left home. She has to amuse herself and leaves her home as she goes on an adventure. She meets marvelous animals but gets lost.
The pictures are monochromatic and rely on lighting to evoke mood. Reading the story reminded me of the loneliness I felt as a child and still feel at times today.
I am primarily an illustrator so I hope to get some good reading and learning on the craft of writing. I feel a bit overwhelmed about all I need to learn so I will keep fun a priority and take it one book at a time.

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Amy Murrell
2/28/2016 12:37:18 pm

I know that I need to work on reducing word count, especially through dialogue so I used the somebody wanted but worksheet to plot out Ask Me by Bernard Weber. I think it is a good tool. Thanks, Carrie!

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