ReFoReMo Day 12: Pat Zietlow Miller Aims for Lovely and Lasting

3/12/2015

by Pat Zietlow Miller

Being able to write beautifully is a gift. Being about to choose just the right word and put it in just the right spot to create something lovely and lasting is a skill to be admired.

It’s a skill I aspire to, so when I was working on Wherever You Go (coming from Little, Brown on April 21) I looked to other books for inspiration and found these three:

By Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead

By Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee

By Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee

I used these titles to look at lyrical language. None have a plot in the classic storybook sense, but their language, theme and emotion are worth emulating. After I wrote my book, two others came out that fit in the same category:

By Nina Laden and Renata Liwska

By Dianne White and Beth Krommes

I highly recommend all five.

(Hey guys...Carrie here. For extra motivation from Pat on pursuing your dream, please visit here. Very motivational!)

Pat Zietlow Miller writes picture books. Her first book, SOPHIE’S SQUASH, won the Golden Kite Award and was an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Book and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor book. Pat blogs about picture books at www.picturebookbuilders.com.

89 Comments

Rebecca Colby

3/11/2015 09:23:32 pm

It's a skill I aspire to as well! Thanks for the great recommendations!

Kaye Baillie

3/11/2015 09:32:00 pm

Looking forward to finding some of these books. I have read 'If you want to see a whale.' But I am really looking forward to Pat's new book, Wherever you Go.

Linda Schueler link

3/11/2015 10:58:24 pm

Lovely! I look forward to reading them.

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/11/2015 11:22:00 pm

Lyricism has always been what attracted me to children's lit. Thanks, Pat, for both the reminder and the beautiful mentor book suggestions. Your own books are fantastic!

Julie Burchstead

3/11/2015 11:47:37 pm

Thank you so much Pat for these mentor texts. These are the kind of stories I love most and hope to reach toward. I have a few of these, but others were new to me.

Angela Hawkins link

3/11/2015 11:50:24 pm

I have used several of these books as mentor texts...they are wonderful! Thanks Pat!

Kirsti Call link

3/11/2015 11:54:36 pm

I really loved Sophie's Squash! Thanks for the great recommendations. Lyrical language makes a book so much fun to read!

Jodi Mckay link

3/12/2015 12:10:31 am

Yes, word choice and placement is definitely a skill that I need to work on. Thanks for providing great books to study from!

Sue Poduska

3/12/2015 12:48:04 am

Thanks, Pat. Wonderful choices!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/12/2015 01:08:10 am

Hi Pat, thanks for this list. I've never read any of these so this should be an adventure!

Debra Shumaker

3/12/2015 01:23:26 am

Thanks Pat! I've read some of these awhile back. Certainly worth re-reading and analyzing. . .. Congrats on your new book!

Lisa Connors link

3/12/2015 01:31:03 am

Sweet, lovely, and lasting are my favorite stories. Thanks!

Deborah Allmand

3/12/2015 01:42:44 am

I loved Sophie's Squash. I look forward to reading your other suggestions. I have already read the ones you suggested in keeping children reading. I haven't got through all the middle grade or young adult but working through your list. Thanks for the post and can't wait to study more about language and plot.

maria gianferrari link

3/12/2015 01:47:22 am

I love all of these books too, Pat (as well as Sophie's Squash :) ) The only one I haven't yet read is Once Upon a Memory. I always aim for lyrical in my work too, especially my nonfiction. Looking forward to Wherever You Go--that cover is just stunning--as well as your other forthcoming titles.

Anita Banks

3/12/2015 01:47:45 am

Thank you for the additions to my reading list!

Nicole Popel link

3/12/2015 01:53:47 am

These are my favorite books. My dream is to write in lyrical prose like these authors/illustrators.

Mary McClellan

3/12/2015 02:21:57 am

Pat, thanks for giving US such wonderful mentor texts!

Val McCammon

3/12/2015 02:25:31 am

I just discovered "Stars: last week at the library and absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read the others I haven't yet. I also am enamored by The Iridescence of Birds. Thanks, Pat.

Sue Heavenrich

3/12/2015 02:39:09 am

These are wonderful books... I'm going to take a second look at some of them (esp. Stars)!

Ann Magee

3/12/2015 02:42:17 am

Thanks, Pat, I'm always on the lookout for well-crafted lyrical books to emulate--back to the library for me! It's curious all five of your selections are credited to two writers, hmmm. . .

Pat Zietlow Miller link

3/12/2015 04:58:33 am

The books I picked list the author and the illustrator. The author is listed first, and the illustrator second.

Carrie Charley Brown

3/12/2015 08:09:46 am

Writing and illustrating is such an important marriage. Each one relies on the other. :)

Laura J / Laura Jenkins link

3/12/2015 02:42:52 am

Thanks for your mentor text suggestions. Love Sophie's Squash. Congratulations on your upcoming books!

Lori Dubbin

3/12/2015 02:59:01 am

Thanks for these lovely suggestions for studying lyrical language. Choosing just the right word(s) and putting it(them) in just the right place is a daily challenge. I love SOPHIE'S SQUASH and just gave it as a baby gift (again)! :)

Robin Currie link

3/12/2015 03:16:57 am

Wow - they are lovely! I struggle with the balance of lovely worlds and story line with all the criteria for character, plot, etc. etc.

Alice Fulgione

3/12/2015 03:21:54 am

I loved Sophie's Squash and I'm looking forward to reading your suggestions.

Heidi Yates

3/12/2015 03:26:55 am

Thank you for the great recommendations. I look forward to reading them all.

Mary Worley

3/12/2015 03:31:42 am

I just read Sophie's Squash last night and shared it with the whole family. Fabulous! Thanks for the suggestions. I loved how Blue on Blue read. Just can't manage to force a rhythm yet with my own writing. Sigh.

Karen Nordseth roos

3/12/2015 03:52:35 am

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is just what I needed. Muchas gracias and merci.

Jarmila Del Boccio link

3/12/2015 04:15:10 am

Thanks so much for these lovely suggestions, Pat!

Debbie LaCroix link

3/12/2015 04:17:54 am

Some new books I haven't read yet! Thanks Pat. :-)

Kristi Veitenheimer

3/12/2015 04:29:41 am

More books for my list, yay!!

Doreen Lepore link

3/12/2015 04:33:07 am

Wonderful list! Thanks!

AJ Irving link

3/12/2015 04:38:14 am

Wonderful recommendations, Pat! My daughter's name is Sophie. We read Sophie's Squash last night multiple times :). We LOVE it!!!

Deirdre Englehart

3/12/2015 04:42:08 am

The books you selected are beautiful! I love the ones I already know and will add a few more to my list!

Gina Silvester

3/12/2015 04:45:57 am

great reminder that playing with each word can make a difference

Pat Zietlow Miller link

3/12/2015 04:54:47 am

Thanks for all the great comments! And the compliments on Sophie's Squash.

Donna Cangelosi link

3/12/2015 04:55:16 am

I think you have met your goal, Pat! You DO write beautifully! Thank you for sharing this list!

Cassie Bentley

3/12/2015 04:58:37 am

Thank you Pat for your selections. I've read Blue on Blue and enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to reading the others.

Gabrielle Snyder

3/12/2015 05:03:30 am

Pat, I read Sophie's Squash with my kids a few nights ago. We all three loved it! I will check out your five suggestions. I love reading books with lyrical language and developing my own lyrical language skills is one of my top writing goals. Thank you!

Ariel Bernstein

3/12/2015 05:09:05 am

I love all the new books I'm reading through ReFoReMo! These look wonderful as well - thank you for suggesting them!!!

Nina link

3/12/2015 05:10:44 am

Thank you, Pat, for the sweet shout-out! I have another book in the same sort of vein as "Once Upon A Memory" in the works at Paula Wiseman/S&S... the title is "If I Had A Little Dream." Very excited to see new UK illustrator, Melissa Castrillon's illustrations for it. (I think it is on the Spring '17 list...)

Joyce Tucker link

3/12/2015 05:14:40 am

Looking so forward to reading these! Thank you for sharing.

Carrie Finison

3/12/2015 05:27:45 am

Thank you, Pat! I'm working on a lyrical text now and these will be very helpful. I just got a message that Blue on Blue is now ready for me to pick up at the library (had requested it from a previous recommendation) so now I'm doubly excited to read it!

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/12/2015 05:37:08 am

I think Sophie's Squash is one of my most favorite picture books ever. Thank you for writing it! I, too, love lyrical voices, so thanks for highlighting a handful of your favorites. Cheers!

Ashley Bankhead

3/12/2015 05:41:06 am

Thanks for the book recommendations. I have not read all of them. I will have to check out the ones I have not read.

Romelle Broas link

3/12/2015 05:42:07 am

There are quite a few agents looking for lyrical writing.I appreciate your list as mentor text. I need it for me to understand lyrical writing. Thanks so much, Pat!

Leslie Goodman link

3/12/2015 05:42:43 am

Thank you for recommending these mentor texts. The addition of lyrical language in any picture book adds to the reading enjoyment. I was introduced to Sophie's Squash at a writer's retreat taught by Jill Esbaum and Linda Skeers last year. The day I got back home, I purchased your book to add to my collection of picture books with heart. Thank you. You are a gifted writer.

Sandy Perlic

3/12/2015 06:27:22 am

Thanks for the suggestions - there are several I haven't read yet. More to request from the library!

Pat Zietlow Miller link

3/12/2015 06:46:26 am

Nina! I can't wait to see your next book. Leslie! Aren't Jill and Linda awesome?

Juliana Lee link

3/12/2015 07:05:32 am

I have only seen If You Want to See a Whale, which I loved. Thanks for the recommendations for the other titles. Hitting my library holds site next.

Therese Nagi

3/12/2015 07:35:46 am

Pat thanks for sharing great book tips! Look forward to checking them out at the library.

Keila Dawson link

3/12/2015 07:57:03 am

Language, theme, emotion...indeed!

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/12/2015 09:19:15 am

Pat, I wish you much success with your upcoming book. I know it will be as wonderful as Sophie's Squash.

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/12/2015 09:30:43 am

Great suggestions! Alice McGinty's Book, THANK YOU, WORLD also has this same feel. There is something wonderful and calming about reading a picture book like this at the end of a busy work day. (Perfect timing!)

Janie Reinart

3/12/2015 09:36:07 am

Pat, my granddaughter and I love SOPHIE’S SQUASH. Thank you for the book list.

Manju Howard link

3/12/2015 10:16:05 am

SOPHIE’S SQUASH is a wonderful story and mentor text.
And I just read Blue on Blue:
Streaming, gushing, Racing, rushing.
Rain on rain on rain.

Maria Marshall

3/12/2015 10:21:44 am

Thank you Pat, for the mentor text. A few I haven't read yet. I love "Once Upon a Memory." Can't wait to read "Wherever You Go."

Maria Laso

3/12/2015 11:12:46 am

These are what I want my PBs to be when they grow up!

Laura Renauld

3/12/2015 11:38:11 am

I LOVE lyrical, thematic books. The first three you mentioned are favorites. Can't wait to check out the other two!

Myrna Foster link

3/12/2015 11:42:38 am

I loved Sophie's Squash, especially the ending! Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't read any of these yet.

Kathy Mazurowski

3/12/2015 11:59:20 am

Thank you! Can't wait to add more to my library list.

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/12/2015 01:53:30 pm

I love your advice, Pat...titles are so very important...and it definitely helps to check out the titles of already published books to get the musicality of them...just a few simple words...but critical. ;) Yay for your book!!!!

Suzy Leopold

3/12/2015 01:56:01 pm

Choosing the just right word is so important when keeping an appropriate word count for a picture book. Thank you for the suggested lists of mentor texts, Pat. I love Sophie's Squash.

shirley johnson

3/12/2015 02:20:59 pm

Looking forward to reading these. Thanks for sharing.

Kristen Kirwan Browning

3/12/2015 02:34:06 pm

Thanks for the suggested titles--can't wait to read them. I loved Sophie's Squash and look forward to reading Wherever You Go, too. Thanks for the inspiration!

Wendy Engelmann

3/12/2015 03:56:43 pm

Sophia's Squash is one of my favorite picture books. Thank you for all of the helpful information.

Rachel Hamby link

3/12/2015 05:47:21 pm

Thanks, Pat!

Zainab

3/12/2015 07:15:24 pm

I can't wait to read these books. Thank you!

MaDonna Maurer link

3/13/2015 02:09:11 am

Thanks for the recommendations for looking at books with lyrical characteristics and not so much a storyline. I just read "If you want to see a whale" a few days ago - good one to mentor. Will be looking up the others you suggested, as well as your own books. Thanks!

Kathy Phillips

3/13/2015 02:18:27 am

Great post Pat :)
I think I lack the ability to choose the right words in the right spots...lol
I will keep working on it though :)

Rene` Diane Aube

3/13/2015 03:38:53 am

Thank you, Pat :) I'm looking forward to studying these. Sophie's Squash is one of my all time favorites and I can't wait to read your
new books!

Joanne Sher link

3/13/2015 03:45:51 am

These all look lovely - and I've only read one. Guess you know what that means :D Thanks so much - I'm also looking forward to your new release!

Sandy Powell

3/13/2015 07:20:20 am

I love when I am revising a manuscript, and I find the right word or phrase. I get so excited. It motivates me on! Thanks for the selections. I will read them to learn more about lyrical language. Also, "Sophie's Squash" is fabulous!

Joanne Roberts link

3/13/2015 09:01:20 am

Thanks. I've read 4 of these, but will look at them again from a writer's perspective. 'Headed to the library again tomorrow!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/13/2015 11:46:59 am

I LOVE Once Upon a Memory. Thank you for these beautiful recommendations!

Janet Smart link

3/13/2015 03:10:42 pm

I love these type of books.

Yvonne Mes link

3/13/2015 07:15:26 pm

Beautiful and lyrical mentor texts, thank you!

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/14/2015 07:42:58 am

Hi Pat, Thank you for your post. I look forward to reading and learning more about both elements that you identified in these stories -- lyrical and not a traditional story plot. Thank you.

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/15/2015 04:52:32 am

I haven't read any of these and am anxiously waiting for my library to get them for me. Thank you for the recommendations.

Elaine Hillson

3/16/2015 01:10:33 am

I can't wait to read these books. Thank you so much for sharing.

Caroline Twomey link

3/16/2015 01:45:20 am

Thank you for these great suggestions-I'm looking forward to reading them ") Congratulations on your fantastic books-best of luck with your new release in April!

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/16/2015 04:01:13 am

definitely going to check all of these out. lyrical is my magic place. thank you!!!

Beth Gallagher

3/18/2015 02:24:24 am

Thank you for these examples of magical language! These are truly what I aspire to. :)

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 04:06:33 am

Pat,
So excited to see your post! I just read Sophie's Squash and loved it! Sophie is a character name I am currently writing into a series, so your title captured my attention. I just smiled all the way through your book!

Lauri Meyers link

3/26/2015 02:21:29 pm

A beautiful sampling Pat! I need to check out the two newer ones you shared.

Jeanette Bradley

3/30/2015 01:51:59 am

ALL THE WORLD is one of my favorite books to read at bedtime. I can't wait to check out the ones on this list I haven't yet read!

sadee schilling

3/30/2015 03:19:09 am

Oh my goodness, these were such GORGEOUS reads! They left me feeling very inspired to get back to my poetic roots :). Thanks for the reccommendations, Pat!

Amie Valore-Caplan

3/31/2015 09:10:10 am

Thank you for these lovely recommendations. While I checked out Once Upon a Memory, I also got the Spanish translation (since it popped up in my search) and enjoyed seeing the poetic text in another language too.

ReFoReMo Day 12: Pat Zietlow Miller Aims for Lovely and Lasting

Leave a Reply.

ReFoReMo

Archives

Categories