ReFoReMo Day 10: Josh Funk Digs Loosely Plotted Concept Books

3/11/2015

You are in for a double feature today, ReFoReMoers! After reading and commenting on Josh's post today, travel over to Carrie On... Together and visit Mystery Author/Illustrator Salina Yoon!

by Josh Funk

All five of these books are creative in concept. None were illustrated by the author. And all of these books are what I call 'Loosely Plotted Concept Books' with cleverly kooky ideas. None of them have grand character arcs or follow the rule of three, but they aren't quite concept books either. Some might describe them as 'one note' at times, but that hasn't stopped them from being Best-Sellers and/or leading to sequels.

PRIZE ALERT
At the conclusion of ReFoReMo, Josh will be giving away a copy of POWER DOWN, LITTLE ROBOT signed by author Anna Staniszewski. To be eligible for the drawing, leave Josh a comment here, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Josh lives in New England with his wife and many many children. He is the author of the forthcoming picture books LADY PANCAKE AND SIR FRENCH TOAST (Sterling, 2015), DEAR DRAGON (Viking/Penguin, 2016), and PIRASAURS! (Scholastic, 2016). Find out more at www.joshfunkbooks.com.

122 Comments

Zainab

3/9/2015 06:05:55 pm

I love kooky ideas! Thank you.

Joni Klein-Higger link

3/9/2015 06:23:17 pm

Just read DRAGONS LOVE TACOS. Definitely creative in concept.

Myrna Foster link

3/9/2015 06:49:08 pm

I loved Shark vs Train and Dragons Love Tacos! Thanks for the recommendations!

Wendy Engelmann

3/9/2015 06:54:30 pm

I am writing a concept book with no main character. Harder than I thought. I enjoyed reading your books. Keep writing!

Maria Marshall

3/9/2015 07:06:58 pm

I can;t wait for Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast! Dragons Love Tacos is an all time favorite of our household. Tanks for the other suggestions.

Kaye Baillie

3/9/2015 07:28:15 pm

Excellent, thanks Josh for these fab suggestions.

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/9/2015 07:31:45 pm

Finished CRANKENSTEIN just yesterday! It's amazing! I love the concept. These suggestions are perfect for thinking outside of the box when it comes to emotional highs and lows that children experience!

Maria Laso

3/9/2015 07:50:51 pm

My aspiration!

Sydney O'Neill

3/9/2015 08:26:51 pm

These all look like must-reads (or read-agains). Thank you!

Catherine Friess link

3/9/2015 09:31:41 pm

Dragons Love Tacos is such a great book :) Thank you for the other recommendations.

Linda Schueler link

3/9/2015 09:46:20 pm

I have read a couple of these, and I am really looking forward to reading the rest. Thanks for the suggestions.

Rebecca Colby

3/9/2015 10:34:16 pm

Some very clever ideas here! There's a couple I still need to read. Can't wait to check them out, especially now that you've highlighted them in your post.

Kirsti Call link

3/9/2015 10:36:15 pm

These books are unique in the market---kind of like yours. And there are 2 that I haven't read! Thanks for the suggestions, Josh.

Caroline Twomey link

3/9/2015 10:52:33 pm

looking forward to reading these, thanks Josh! Power Down Little Robot looks like a fab book ") and Crankenstein-haven't read it yet!

Julie Burchstead

3/9/2015 11:30:56 pm

I look forward to exploring these! They look like a lot of fun!

Angela Hawkins link

3/9/2015 11:56:00 pm

Thanks for the great titles Josh!

Deirdre Englehart

3/10/2015 12:27:14 am

I read two of the books and will look for the others...definitely creative approaches!

janet smart link

3/10/2015 12:36:10 am

Good post. It goes to show you can write a winner and not follow the rules. What you need is a unique idea.

Josh link

3/10/2015 02:23:13 am

Janet, you've nailed it! Sometimes to stand out, especially from the rest of the slush pile, you need to find a way to be very different!

Manju Howard link

3/10/2015 12:51:47 am

I really want to read CRANKENSTEIN and POWER DOWN, LITTLE ROBOT. Working on emotionally connecting to readers.

Debra Shumaker

3/10/2015 01:17:27 am

Thanks for this post. It's always great to look at books that don't "follow the rules" that we keep hearing about. I seem to frequently find myself writing a story whose narrative arc is quite small. . . .so I look forward to finding these books!

Deborah Allmand

3/10/2015 01:36:18 am

Live kooky, crazy fun concept books. Can't wait to read those you suggested. Thanks so much for sharing good examples of rule breakers. Can't wait to read your books late this year and in the future.

Val McCammon

3/10/2015 01:39:46 am

Can't wait to read these, and am especially interested in how the loose plot was written, then illustrated by someone else. Thanks, Josh.

Rebecca Sheraton

3/10/2015 01:42:05 am

Looking forward to reading these concept books

Josh link

3/10/2015 02:29:46 am

Rebecca, I think my point is that these *aren't* concept books - they may *seem* like concept books, but they all do have a narrative structure, along with characters, arcs, etc. - Maybe I should have called them 'concepty' traditional books?

Cathy Ballou Mealey link

3/10/2015 01:55:56 am

Great selections Josh. Am I wrong, or are none of these titles the author's debut book? Wondering if concept books are easier to sell when the author has a pre-established track record.

Josh link

3/10/2015 02:19:13 am

Shark vs Train was definitely Barton's debut. There's a great article about how it came to be here: http://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com/2010/05/beyond-book-shark-vs-train-by-chris.html

Other than a book in 2003, Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten was Vernick's next book in 2010.

Power Down, Little Robot is Staniszewski's first Picture Book (although she's already published half a dozen middle grades).

Dragons Love Tacos was Rubin's 3rd book.

Only Samantha Berger had a long career leading up to Crankenstein, really.

Cathy Ballou Mealey link

3/10/2015 06:10:37 am

TY for all the research!

Mary McClellan

3/10/2015 02:00:11 am

Really liked Dragons Love Tacos and have Shark vs. Train on my reading list. Thanks for these fun books!

Lori Dubbin

3/10/2015 02:05:47 am

Thanks for these great recommendations. They may be 'one note' but they are 'one note wonders!' I'm looking forward to reading your new books!

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/10/2015 02:28:25 am

LOVE your book picks, Josh. Hope to see your book in next year's #REFOFEMO!

Sue Heavenrich

3/10/2015 02:29:53 am

I love Dragons Love Tacos (and the books about the squirrels) - am looking forward to reading the rest of these on your list. I mean, who can avoid falling in love with a good robot story, or the first day of school with a weird animal?

Erin Nowak link

3/10/2015 02:39:34 am

I appreciate you sharing books that have separate author and illustrator. I feel like I see so many publishers and agents looking only for author-illustrators, and I understand why. But even as an illustrator who enjoys writing, the idea of needing to do both amazingly well to break into the industry can be intimidating, so I
am enjoying reading both types of books for ReFoReMo!

Tom Franklin link

3/10/2015 02:39:48 am

I wasn't impressed with Shark VS Train. There just wasn't much there for me.

Power Down Little Robot, though, is one I'm very much looking forward to!

Shirley Fadden link

3/10/2015 02:44:07 am

Thanks Josh,
All great suggestions and I'm looking foward to seeing some of your books on the list next year!

Pat Miller

3/10/2015 02:46:23 am

Thanks for sharing these "rule-breaker successes" with us. Each obviously found an editor to love it. And then, a much wider audience, including adult fans.

Nancy Brown

3/10/2015 02:47:04 am

Thanks for the great suggestions! More to add to my list!

Lisa Connors link

3/10/2015 03:00:44 am

I love reading fun, outside-the box ideas! Thanks!

Marlaina Gray Cockcroft link

3/10/2015 03:09:08 am

These look hilarious. I am going to go read them.

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/10/2015 03:20:41 am

Thanks for posting some rule breakers. I sometimes do bend the rules a bit, so these will be good mentor texts to see how to make rule bender work!

AJ Irving link

3/10/2015 03:21:51 am

Thank you for this great post, Josh! All my ideas are kooky and some of my manuscripts don't follow the rules. I am excited to study these books. I haven't read Power Down, Little Robot or Crankenstein. Thanks again!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/10/2015 03:26:36 am

Hi Josh, thanks for this list. I've read Crankenstein and it's fabulous. Laughed all the way through and thought of my own two sons. Looking forward to reading the others.

Denise Engle

3/10/2015 03:28:59 am

Thanks, Josh. It is great to see that there are successful books that do not follow the usual rules! Thanks for the titles. I'm ready to check them out!

Anita Banks

3/10/2015 03:31:26 am

Putting these on my list to read!

Laura J / Laura Jenkins link

3/10/2015 03:53:34 am

Wow. I never would have considered these picture books. Thanks for your feedback.

Rachel Hamby link

3/10/2015 03:56:57 am

Thanks for including some picture books that might not fit the typical structures we usually study, Josh. I look forward to reading/rereading these titles.

Elaine Hillson

3/10/2015 04:05:07 am

Excellent, thanks Josh for the suggestions.

Alice Fulgione

3/10/2015 04:16:42 am

Thanks for your suggestions,Josh. I'm sure that I'll enjoy reading all of the suggested rule breaking books and I'm sure that your upcoming books will become 3 of my favorites!

Leslie Goodman link

3/10/2015 04:17:56 am

It seems so often the PBs I choose as mentor texts are illustrated by the author. If a writer is fortunate to have talent in the illustration field as well, they can fully control both sides and paint/write a complete story. But for those of us whose talent lies on only one side, these books you suggest will make great mentor texts. Many thanks!

Rene` Diane Aube

3/10/2015 04:26:30 am

Kooky ideas? Right up my alley! Thanks for sharing, Josh :)

Penny Parker Klostermann link

3/10/2015 04:31:51 am

You picked some awesome books, Josh. I love everyone of them! Thanks for your insightful comments :-)

Keila Dawson link

3/10/2015 04:38:40 am

Some books have quirky characters some have quirky plotd. Nice selection!

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/10/2015 04:49:08 am

I like your book list but love the idea of setting tough parameters--non-illustrator author, non-concept, non-narrative--and then making a book list to fit it. That takes chops! I'm definitely going to try it.

Heidi Yates

3/10/2015 05:01:19 am

Dragons Love Tacos is one of my favorites. Thank you for the fun recommendations Josh.

Wendy Greenley link

3/10/2015 05:08:34 am

Interesting post! I see comments that editors don't want concept books and wonder about books like these. Wonder if despite the lack of arc the authors made sure NOT to use the word concept with these?

Josh link

3/10/2015 12:16:52 pm

None of these are concept books in the strict sense, so I doubt the authors ever referred to them that way.

Gabrielle Snyder

3/10/2015 05:21:46 am

Thanks for sharing this list, Josh! I'm encouraged that a writer who is not an illustrator can write a successful concept book if she develops a truly kooky idea!

Robin Currie link

3/10/2015 05:22:41 am

Excellent books - I know a "non linear non arc book with no growth for the protagonist" has to be super to get noticed - these are wacky wondful.

shirley johnson

3/10/2015 05:36:24 am

I have read some of these. I look forward to reading the rest. Thanks for sharing.

Cassie Bentley

3/10/2015 05:41:28 am

Thank you for sharing. Power Down, Little Robot is checked out of my local library. I'll have to wait. Darn.

Sue Poduska

3/10/2015 05:56:21 am

Thanks for the recommendations. Looking forward to reading them and your upcoming contributions too.

maria gianferrari link

3/10/2015 06:13:25 am

Great selection of books, Josh! I can't wait to read Anna's robot book! Shark vs. Train is so hilarious, and one of my favorites too, Looking forward to re/reading these!

Linda Kujawski

3/10/2015 06:15:48 am

Thanks, Josh! I'll be away from my desk tomorrow...reading these great books at my local library.

Mike Karg link

3/10/2015 06:20:57 am

Reading for Research is even better watching reactions of readers. Shark vs. Train and Dragons Love Tacos have been huge hits with my 3 and 4-year-olds.Unprompted, they have asked to get Shark vs. Train again, weeks after returning it to the library. Young readers don't sit in front of books with checklists of rules for picture books. Wacky "rule-breakers" are a joy.

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/10/2015 06:26:53 am

Thanks for the recommendations! Looking forward to checking them out.

Laura Renauld

3/10/2015 07:02:32 am

Thank you for the term "Loosely Plotted Concept Books." I wonder if there are any lists/resources for books that don't follow standard story rules. I've certainly come across some of these in my research!

Therese Nagi

3/10/2015 07:05:34 am

Josh thanks for sharing great picture books to read! Can't wait to read "Power Down Robot." Reading these books will help me think outside of my writing box.

Darshana

3/10/2015 07:56:17 am

thanks!

Joanne Sher link

3/10/2015 08:16:33 am

These ALL look fun -have read a couple. Love the "out of the box" stuff. Thanks, Josh! Can't wait for your books to come out!

Sally Suehler

3/10/2015 08:34:40 am

Oh, how fun! Just read Dragons love Tacos and can't wait to get to the rest of them. Thanks, now I don't feel so weird about some of my ideas. I'm not the only one! ;-)

Audrey Vernick link

3/10/2015 08:53:34 am

Thanks for including my buffalo along with these other fine titles! Great post. I always stammer when asked for rule-breaking examples, and now I have this page bookmarked for next time....

Josh link

3/10/2015 08:56:47 am

Yay! Audrey! Glad to share it! I've used Buffalo to ease all my many many children into kindergarten! Love it!

Rena Traxel

3/10/2015 09:19:55 am

I love Dragon Loves Tacos!

Romelle Broas link

3/10/2015 09:47:31 am

I can't help but think that if I sent a ms of, for example, Shark and Train, to an agent or editor they would reject it. "Not strong enough to compete in this competitive market" they would say. Sometimes it helps to be an established author or have that one lucky break of someone who is willing to take the chance.

Romelle Broas link

3/10/2015 09:50:53 am

I just read your reply regarding Barton's book being his first PB. Going to read the link now!

Josh link

3/10/2015 12:07:43 pm

In some ways, it pays to be very different...

Kathy Mazurowski

3/10/2015 10:25:18 am

Thanks for bringing some new titles to my attention. Now to plot all of them out!

Debbie Bernstein LaCroix link

3/10/2015 10:36:39 am

I keep missing Dragon Loves Tacos. Going to hunt down a copy. :-)

Lane Arnold link

3/10/2015 11:04:43 am

Out of the box, outside the lines...my kind of book. Eager to read them.

Suzy Leopold

3/10/2015 11:13:45 am

Loosely plotted books are so quirky and fun. I recognize all. Thank you for sharing, Josh.

Renee Kirchner

3/10/2015 11:29:15 am

Josh - I'm familiar with several of these titles already and I love them!

Doris Stone

3/10/2015 11:35:32 am

Josh, thank you for giving suggestions. I can't wait to read the books you've listed and your upcoming books as well!

sharon giltrow

3/10/2015 01:02:22 pm

I look forward to reading these books thanks Josh.

Jennifer Judd link

3/10/2015 01:06:37 pm

LOVE Shark Vs. Train--that is one that I go back to again and again with major writer's envy. Such a fun book. Great texts, Josh! Thanks for sharing!

Lindsay Bonilla link

3/10/2015 02:10:47 pm

Can't wait to check out these books you recommend. I think some of my own stuff is loosely-plotted, and I'm eager to explore if it really needs an overhaul as some have suggested or if it can stand as is, as others have suggested. Very interesting!

Genetta Adair

3/10/2015 02:28:28 pm

Great suggestions, Josh! Thanks for your post!

Joyce Tucker link

3/10/2015 02:53:43 pm

Just the covers alone crack me up...looking forward to reading these!

Vicki Wilke

3/10/2015 03:08:10 pm

Love these concepts - always wondered where some of my stories fit into the genre!

Juliana Lee link

3/10/2015 03:26:14 pm

Crankenstein is the only one of these I've read. Will check out the others soon. Thanks for the recommendations.

Kim Erickson

3/10/2015 03:37:31 pm

I'm looking forward to studying these great suggestions!

Janie Reinart

3/10/2015 03:51:10 pm

Thanks for the new books to look for! Congrats on your up coming book!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/10/2015 04:11:34 pm

Some of my favorite books are ones that don't quite fit the mold. Thanks for the recommendations. I am also looking forward to Lady Pancake! Congratulations!

Sandy Perlic

3/10/2015 04:23:06 pm

Definitely a category worth studying! My library (in not such a large town) had 14 copies of Dragons Love Tacos! Must be something there, right? Thanks for the leads, Josh.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/10/2015 06:24:39 pm

I've never thought of myself as a concept book kinda gal, but these could be game changers for me. Thanks for highlighting!

MaDonna Maurer link

3/10/2015 09:48:56 pm

Thanks for the recommendations and for the term "loosely plotted concept books." Can't wait to study those a bit more to see how each were worked out into a story.

Kathy Phillips

3/10/2015 10:44:36 pm

Thanks Josh.
These books sound like my kind of style :)

Yvonne Mes link

3/11/2015 12:27:33 am

Great suggestions! Love the humour!

Noel Csermak

3/11/2015 08:14:40 am

Josh, thank you for digging into the background of the development of these books. It is great to see that some are breakthrough and some are also a change of pace of an established author.

Ann Magee

3/11/2015 01:48:57 pm

Back to the library! :) Thanks!

Donna Weidner link

3/11/2015 04:50:27 pm

Nice to see you're making the rounds Josh. So - does breakfast food fall into this category?

karen nordseth roos

3/11/2015 04:52:55 pm

can't wait to check these out on my next library trip. thank you!

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/11/2015 05:16:50 pm

Wow, Josh! Congratulations on your book success...you are on fire! I absolutely love your titles. Thanks for an informative post. ;)

Zainab

3/11/2015 05:24:01 pm

Lovely, lovely titles! Thanks for sharing them with us.

Mary Worley

3/12/2015 03:03:07 am

Yay! The perfect examples to help me with revisions. Thanks!

Gina Silvester

3/12/2015 04:41:33 am

thank you thank you thank you! there is hope for a PB that doesn't fit the mold!!!!

Carrie Finison

3/12/2015 05:18:04 am

I never would have put all of these in a category together, but you're right they do share that 'loosely plotted' similarity. Thanks for the list!

Helen Dening link

3/12/2015 01:20:08 pm

great fun: loosely plotted concept books, kooky ideas, rule breakers. Thanks for the list and the encouragement to think outside the box .

Sandy Powell

3/13/2015 07:07:47 am

Love Crankenstein! Great book and the illustrations by Dan Santat are amazing! It's like know the rules, now go and break them and create a great book! Thanks for the selections!

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/14/2015 07:51:38 am

Can't wait to get a hold of and read these from the perspective of 'loosely plotted concept books/one note".

Shereentv

3/16/2015 04:07:17 am

Thank you for sharing. I love books like these that don't necessarily follow a formula. Now I just need to find Power Down, Little Robot and Shark vs. Train.

Bridget Magee link

3/16/2015 07:35:26 am

So much goodness in this post. So glad I came back to read it. I hope I win the book! =)

Ave Maria Cross

3/16/2015 11:49:02 am

I love wacky books for children! This post is very inspirational -- thanks everybody.

Beth Gallagher

3/18/2015 01:15:57 am

Just love that kids love the quirkiest of ideas! Thanks for the inspirational list. I'm off to the library! :)

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 04:09:45 am

Thanks, Josh! I love the covers of the mentor texts you chose. On my way to the library to get them!

Saba

3/21/2015 05:10:21 pm

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten looks like a fun, kooky book to read :)

Lauri Meyers link

3/27/2015 02:18:56 pm

Simple, everyday concepts turned on their ears with a kooky element.

Jeanette Bradley link

3/30/2015 01:49:42 am

I love this list! Thank you!

Mary Warth

3/30/2015 03:36:47 am

We love the quirky in this house. These suggestions include some of our favorites!

Laurie J. Edwards link

3/30/2015 07:39:55 pm

Great list!

Laura K Zimmermann link

3/31/2015 01:31:11 am

Thanks for the great suggestions...

Amie Valore-Caplan

3/31/2015 09:01:03 am

Thanks for these great suggestions! I enjoyed the quirkiness of each of them!

Ellen Sirianni

3/31/2015 12:42:19 pm

Great list of books! Thanks for sharing.

ReFoReMo Day 10: Josh Funk Digs Loosely Plotted Concept Books

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