Carrie On...Together!
Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
  • Carrie On... Together!
    • Meet Carrie
    • Carrie On...Book Clubs! >
      • Contest Gallery
  • Carrie On...Writing!
    • Ongoing Resources
    • Read with Me & Review Policy
  • Carrie On...Services!
    • Picture Book Critique Service
    • Teacher's Guides
    • KidLit Video Production
    • KidLit Marketing
    • Literary Tutoring PK-4
  • ReFoReMo
    • What is ReFoReMo?
    • Schedule & Coordinators
    • Tools
    • ReFoReMo 2016
    • ReFoReMo 2015
    • Blog Submissions
  • Privacy Policy

ReFoReMo Day 14: Kirsti Call Discovers the Unexpected

3/15/2015

94 Comments

 
by Kirsti Call

Books like  Mustache Baby, Dragons Love Tacos, Ninja Red Riding Hood, My Teacher is a Monster (No, I am not), and The Day the Crayons Quit, draw me in with just their titles.  The magic of these books is in the unexpected, which creates humor and hooks me into reading the story repeatedly.  After reading these books and writing or revising, you might surprise yourself with your own unexpected magic!


Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Kirsti Call's debut picture book is The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall. She contributes to Writer's Rumpus, The Children's Book Academy, and Kids are Writers. If you visit her house, you’ll likely find her reading a book with her five children!

 

94 Comments
Yvonne Mes link
3/13/2015 06:15:50 pm

Absolutely! Great choice, I have been intrigued by Mustache Baby and will see if I can find it her. Thank you, Kirsti!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:54:42 am

Yvonne, there's a sequel now, too. Mustache Baby vs. Beard Baby!

Reply
Juliana Lee link
3/13/2015 06:17:49 pm

I love books with a unexpected twist at the end. Mustache Baby and My Teacher is a Monster are two of my favorites too!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:56:20 am

Wouldn't it be wonderful to write a book with endings like these?

Reply
Kristi Veitenheimer
3/13/2015 06:28:49 pm

I need to check these out. They look super cute!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:56:41 am

You'll love them, Kristi!

Reply
Juliann (Juli) Caveny link
3/13/2015 06:39:35 pm

Great lesson in the perfect titles! A title can tell so much and set that "first impression". A few days ago, I read STUCK by Oliver Jeffers. It's the perfect title! It tells the reader the problem, make us infer how the problem might be solved, and at the same time, demonstrates the simplicity of the story.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:57:14 am

I really enjoyed STUCK too!

Reply
Wendy Engelmann
3/13/2015 06:46:52 pm

Thanks for your post. I can't wait to check out these books again. Please Read a story to your five children for me!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:58:15 am

I will, Wendy. We adore picture books at our house and my four year old wants me to tell you that his name is Sammy :)

Reply
Heidi Yates
3/13/2015 07:47:22 pm

I love the idea of creating a story with an unexpected twist. Thanks for this great bit of advice Kirsti. I can't wait to read the suggested books.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:59:19 am

Yay! I think you'll enjoy them as much as do.

Reply
Maria Laso
3/13/2015 09:00:07 pm

And now adding to my list of mustache PB titles!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 12:59:48 am

Have you read Mo's Mustache, by Ben Clanton? Another great one!

Reply
Maria Marshall
3/13/2015 09:01:02 pm

Thanks Kristi, I love MY TEACHER is A MONSTER (NO I AM NOT!) and THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT. What amazing titles, they do draw you in and set you up for a surprise. I also love STUCK, just found that at the library. I need to go find NINJA RED RIDING HOOD.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:01:18 am

Ninja Red Riding Hood is a companion book to The Three Ninja Pigs which also has a fantastic title and surprise ending!

Reply
Rebecca Colby
3/13/2015 09:11:15 pm

I love humorous books, and the unexpected. Great recommendations!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:02:23 am

Now to write our own humorous, unexpected books...

Reply
Kaye Baillie
3/13/2015 09:49:51 pm

Just read My Teacher is a Monster yesterday. Soooo good. Exciting, funny and clever.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:11:21 am

Yes! It's one of the best!

Reply
Lori Mozdzierz
3/13/2015 11:28:33 pm

Great examples of titles that hook!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:12:04 am

Yes! I wish I had thought of them!

Reply
Jodi Mckay
3/13/2015 11:57:17 pm

Mentor texts for titles, I need about 80 of those! Thanks for suggestions!!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:12:35 am

Glad you're looking for these :)

Reply
Linda Schueler link
3/14/2015 12:28:05 am

True, a title is very important, and these are all great ones.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:13:15 am

Yes, and the title is a great indicator of how wonderful the story is!

Reply
Marianne Kuzujanakis
3/14/2015 12:45:07 am

So love these choices, Kirsti. Humor with a twist is a perennial favorite for parents & children. Writers too. Thanks so much for the reminder. I was unaware of two of your suggestions, so off to the library I go!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:13:48 am

Yay! I'm glad I helped you discover something new.

Reply
Lisa Connors link
3/14/2015 12:55:51 am

Unexpected is delightful!

Reply
joanne sher link
3/14/2015 01:10:16 am

I have read all of these but two - and they are both requested from my library. Fabulous picks - and have I e er told you your smile lights up a room? (Or a blog in this case?). Thanks!! Great stuff!

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:14:58 am

Oh Joanne! You're the sweetest!

Reply
Deborah Allmand
3/14/2015 01:11:06 am

Loved your suggestions. I would love to learn how to incorporate humor into a PB manuscript. These titles are a great start. Thank you so much for your post. Having a writing partner I would think can be inspiring and at times frustrating. What do you think is the best parts of collaboration?

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 01:18:13 am

Deborah, I never find it frustrating to have a writing partner...it's wonderful to have Carrie proofing my cover letters or letting me know what works and what doesn't work in my stories. I think the best part of having a writing partner is having someone who understands the writing process and dream, someone who is striving for excellence in writing! We help each other become better writers and there's nothing better than that!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
3/14/2015 06:39:12 pm

Hi Deborah! Part of having a good writing partner is knowing whether or not you might work well together. I felt a connection with Kirsti's writing and critiquing style when interacting in the 12x12 forum. We both had extremely high goals and wanted accountability and to grow and learn together. For us, things work really, really well. I have never been frustrated with Kirsti. We each write our own pieces and then communicate on a regular basis for critiques, questions, collaboration on things we learn, revisions, pitch writing, research, just about anything related to writing. Just like with any feedback, Kirsti and I don't follow everything the other one suggests. That's the beauty of writing. We still trust our inner editor, too. Kirsti and I are very blessed to also have a strong friendship, as well, so for us, it goes beyond writing and into family, struggles, and celebrations in life events. (Pretty amazing with me in Texas and Kirsti in Massachusetts!) She is my bestie! :)

Reply
Heather Pierce Stigall
3/15/2015 05:07:05 am

I'm curious about your writing-partner relationship and how that works. Do you have a regular schedule of how often you submit new or revised ms to each other? Do you communicate via email, phone, facetime or skype? Have you ever met in person?

Julie Burchstead
3/14/2015 01:41:55 am

Thanks for these great examples: some new ones, and some favorites. Having an unexpected twist or turn...or a title that tickles your funny bone and curiosity at first impression really does make a book pop amongst the many on the library shelf. Thanks for helping me think about this.

Reply
Kirsti Call
3/14/2015 02:15:12 am

You're welcome, Julie. I'm glad some of my examples are new to you :)

Reply
Leslie Goodman link
3/14/2015 02:17:30 am

Great list of mentor texts! It's often due to a clever twist in the ending that a child wants to read a picture book again and again and again.

Reply
MaDonna Maurer link
3/14/2015 02:19:36 am

Thanks for the titles to look up. I have to admit, I'm prone to pick up books by their titles as well. ;)

Reply
Nicole Popel link
3/14/2015 02:50:06 am

These are my favorites!

Reply
Laura J / Laura Jenkins
3/14/2015 03:40:42 am

I have to agree with you, a good title definitely grabs your attention. Query letters and titles are not my forte :(

Reply
Sue Heavenrich
3/14/2015 04:18:42 am

I love these books! Especially Dragons love Tacos because my kids LOVE tacos - and they love dragons. And they knew immediately that the Franks Red Hot would be an issue... (if you give a dragon hot sauce....)

Reply
maria gianferrari link
3/14/2015 04:21:14 am

Thanks for the great recommendations, Kirsti! I especially love The Day the Crayons Quit. I just requested the Ninja book too--loved Three Ninja Pigs!

Reply
Joyce Tucker link
3/14/2015 04:49:48 am

I hope I am able to add some unexpected to what I am working on...will definitely read these for examples. Thanks!

Reply
AJ Irving link
3/14/2015 05:05:13 am

These are all great books! I haven't read My Teacher is a Monster so I'm adding it to my library list. Thank you and congratulations on your book, Kirsti!

Reply
Rita Lorraine Hubbard link
3/14/2015 05:16:32 am

Hi Kirsti, thanks for this post. I'm like you...a great title gets me every time! Can't wait to read these.

Reply
Lori Dubbin
3/14/2015 05:53:36 am

The title is the thing that really hooks you in! All your suggestions are such great examples of that. I just re-read DRAGONS LOVE TACOS and talk about re-readability... And I just saw on Amazon that MOUSTACHE BABY has a sequel! Can't wait to read that. Off to read and re-read NINJA, CRAYONS, and Mr. Brown's TEACHER :)!

Reply
Manju Howard link
3/14/2015 05:56:31 am

Hi Kirsti, I've read these. My favorite in this group os The Day the Crayons Quit.

Reply
Sandy Perlic
3/14/2015 06:34:22 am

So, so true! Something unexpected--especially in the title--makes you immediately intrigued. I'd love to capture that in my own books.

Reply
Jilanne Hoffmann
3/14/2015 06:43:23 am

Mustache Baby is new to me! I agree that the others are great! Must go find the baby with the mustache... Thanks!

Reply
Stephanie Geckle link
3/14/2015 06:57:00 am

These are just so great. Thank you, Kirsti!

Reply
Teresa MI Schaefer link
3/14/2015 07:12:38 am

Great selections, Kirsti. You are right. The titles do draw you right in. Which just goes to prove how important titles are.

Reply
shirley johnson
3/14/2015 07:12:52 am

Great titles! Thanks so much for your post!

Reply
JEN Garrett link
3/14/2015 07:13:53 am

More titles to add! Luckily I've read some of those. Trying to emulate their magic. :)

Reply
Vivian Kirkfield link
3/14/2015 07:18:53 am

Kristi...they cay good things come in small packages...and this post is a perfect example of that. In a few words, you emphasized the importance of titles. I know this is true because when I offer my grandson a selection of picture books, a catchy title is often what pulls him in. Thank you so much...I'm off to play with some titles. :)

Reply
Janie Reinart
3/14/2015 07:21:43 am

It is fun reading a book and the unexpected happens! I try and guess what's going to happen and am always amazed by the author's imaginitive .

Reply
Doreen Lepore link
3/14/2015 07:41:17 am

Thanks, it's true, every time I see the book "The Day the Crayons Quit" I get a little nervous and want to look inside.

Reply
Kathy Mazurowski
3/14/2015 08:10:19 am

Clever selection. Thanks!

Reply
Kathy Phillips
3/14/2015 09:20:44 am

Ha!!!! We have "The Day The Crayons Quit" at the school library...Hope I can get my hands on it :)

Reply
Anita
3/14/2015 10:44:01 am

All the suggestions have been great!

Reply
Deirdre Englehart
3/14/2015 11:11:48 am

Yay! I have read a few of the titles and I love them. I will check the other ones out. Intrigued by Mustache baby!

Reply
Robin Currie link
3/14/2015 11:16:32 am

I just discovered "This is a Moose" and "Bear Alert" - laughed out loud in the book store. How do people think of these great improbable ideas?

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
3/14/2015 01:44:33 pm

I am a sucker for titles too, Kirsti! Thanks for the list!

Reply
Doris Stone
3/14/2015 02:24:48 pm

Great Suggestions! Thank you, Kirsti!

Reply
Angela hawkins link
3/14/2015 03:01:14 pm

I love alluring titles like these....how could you resist peeking inside?

Reply
Suzy Leopold
3/14/2015 03:09:29 pm

Kristi: These five titles are amazing. All of them are excellent suggestions. The book covers and the title hook the reader even before reading the first page.

Reply
Myrna Foster link
3/14/2015 07:10:34 pm

I loved the three of these that I've read, so I'll have to check out the other two. Thanks for the recommendations! I'm much more likely to pick up a book with an intriguing title.

Reply
Keila Dawson link
3/14/2015 07:19:49 pm

Fun, fun titles and books. 😉

Reply
Donna Cangelosi link
3/15/2015 04:28:37 am

Thank you, Kirsti! Fun titles lead to fun illustrations too :)

Reply
Heather Pierce Stigall
3/15/2015 05:09:15 am

I love My Teacher is a Monster and The day the Crayons Quit (I gave that one to my youngest for Christmas this year -- he loves it too!). I recently read Dragons Love Tacos and found it humorous and am looking forward to reading the other two. I"m looking forward to your book too, Kristi!

Reply
Rachel Hamby link
3/15/2015 06:24:19 am

Thanks, Kristi!

Reply
Debra Shumaker
3/15/2015 07:47:46 am

Wow, the lists keeping coming. Thanks for the suggestions!

Reply
Renee Kirchner
3/15/2015 09:27:04 am

Thanks for the great list Kristi! I've been meaning to read Dragons Love Tacos for a long time.

Reply
Ann Magee
3/15/2015 12:50:25 pm

Some great titles here--love the humor of The Day the Crayons Quit. Just read Dragons Love Tacos--kids who enjoy dry humor will definitely enjoy:)

Reply
Val McCammon
3/16/2015 12:56:48 am

Can't wait to read Dragons Love Tacos and find out what it's unexpected is! Great suggestions, Kirsti. Thank you.

Reply
Elaine Hillson
3/16/2015 01:01:50 am

The unexpected is what I love most in picture books and I can't wait to read Dragons Love Tacos - the title alone makes it a must read.

Reply
Caroline Twomey link
3/16/2015 02:02:00 am

I love, love, love PBs with unexpected endings-seeing the look on my son's face when we get to the end of these books illustrates the hooking power of the unexpected ending and the joy they bring! ")

Reply
Carrie Finison
3/16/2015 03:01:38 am

Perfect list of unexpected stories. Thanks, Kirsti!

Reply
Mary Worley
3/16/2015 03:04:19 am

Great titles. I think The Day the Crayons Quit is possibly my favorite book right now. Never would have thought about mustaches for babies. Love surprises like that.

Reply
Karen Nordseth Roos
3/16/2015 03:56:07 am

i've been avoiding mustache baby, and now i'm going to break out of my comfort zone and check it out! thanks!

Reply
Rene` Diane Aube
3/16/2015 05:33:55 am

Thank you, Kirsti, I love books with unexpected twists and humor. I'm looking forward to checking out this list and learning how to incorporate the unexpected into my writing. :)

Reply
Sandy Powell
3/16/2015 05:42:35 am

Love, love, love "The Day the Crayons Quit." So funny. Thanks for these mentor texts. I have read most of them, but will go back and read them to explore them and find me some unexpected magic.

Reply
Janet Smart link
3/16/2015 07:52:38 am

I need to work on the unexpected and great titles.

Reply
Romelle Broas link
3/16/2015 08:21:57 am

I love starting my story ideas with titles! Your list here is a great example of titles that attract.

Reply
Ashley Bankhead
3/16/2015 08:32:13 am

Thank you for sharing. I love books that are unexpected, too.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
3/16/2015 07:07:06 pm

Heather Pierce Stigall, you asked: "I'm curious about your writing-partner relationship and how that works. Do you have a regular schedule of how often you submit new or revised ms to each other? Do you communicate via email, phone, facetime or skype? Have you ever met in person?" Kirsti and met in all forms- email, phone, text, Google Hangout, Oovoo, Skype, and in person. We have taken classes and attended conferences together. Our communication is very open. We don't put limits on our contact. We call when needed and respond when we can, but place a high priority on interacting regularly. One month we may need more contact, especially near submission deadlines or goals. We are not just critique partners, but writing partners. When we first started our partnership, we discussed the commitment level we wanted to give one another. We are well matched, and I believe that is the most important thing when choosing a partner.

Reply
Erin Nowak link
3/17/2015 02:38:50 am

I'm glad I waited and returned to comment on this post. So much great info in the post and even more valuable info in the comments. Thanks for answering questions Kristi and Carrie!

Reply
Cassie Bentley
3/17/2015 01:05:56 pm

Thank you Carrie and Kristi. The information about being writing partners is very welcome. I'd be interested in the classes your would recommend. There are lots and I want to attend something this summer.
I was so lucky to listen to a panel with Drew DeWalt at the Tucson Festival of Books. He had the actual box of crayons that inspired him. I am so behind on reading these posts and reading books. I have lots of fun to do this week.

Reply
Beth Gallagher
3/18/2015 01:08:22 am

I just adore quirky characters and stories, and my girls love them too. It's nice to know that kids find unique stories appealing!! :)

Reply
Denise Engle
3/18/2015 04:03:03 am

Kirsti, what child (and adult) doesn't like the unexpected? Thank you for the excellent mentor text recommendations. On my way to the library!

Reply
Lauri Meyers link
3/26/2015 02:17:57 pm

Love how some of these retell a classic story line through a totally new and unexpected route.

Reply
Jeanette Bradley link
3/30/2015 01:54:39 am

Love this list! The twisted fairy tale is one of my favorite sub-genres.

Reply
Anita Banks
3/31/2015 04:26:42 am

Thank you!

Reply
Ellen Sirianni
3/31/2015 11:47:11 am

Great suggestions! I love The Day the Crayons Quit.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Illustration by Lori Nawyn

    ReFoReMo

    March 1-31
    The ReFoReMo Challenge, or Reading for Research Month Challenge, was developed to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching picture books.  Challenge registration opens February 15.  To find out more or to subscribe to the Reading for Research Blog for weekly posts year round, visit our new exclusive site at www.reforemo.com.

    ALL DONATIONS FILTER BACK INTO THE ReFoReMo CHALLENGE & BLOG
    Picture
    Carrie Charley Brown, Founder & Coordinator
    Picture
    Kirsti Call, ReFoReMo Co-Coordinator

    Archives

    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All
    2016 Schedule
    Aaron Reynolds
    Alayne Kay Christian
    Ame Dyckman
    Amy Krouse Rosenthal
    Andrea Davis Pinkney
    Angie Karcher
    Ask Carrie Questions
    Assessing A Mentor Text
    Author Educators
    Author-Educators
    Author Interview
    Author Study
    Back Matter
    Ben Clanton
    Bold Beginnings
    Bonus Links
    Carol Gordon Ekster
    Carrie Charley Brown
    Carrie Gelson
    Character Driven Picture Books
    Corey Rosen Schwartz
    Correspondence Structure
    Current Picture Books
    CYBILS
    Debbie Ridpath Ohi
    Deborah Underwood
    Dialogue
    Diversity
    Editor Brett Duquette
    Elaine Kiely Kearns
    Emily Arrow
    Emma Walton Hamilton
    Fiction Books
    Fiction Picture Books
    Giveaway
    Historical Fiction
    Illustration
    Illustrator Perspective
    Interplay
    Janee Trasler
    Janie Reinart
    Jennifer Cole Judd
    Jennifer Swanson
    Jodi Moore
    Josh Funk
    Joyce Sweeney
    Julie Hedlund
    KidLit 411
    Kirsti Call
    Kristen Remenar
    Kristy Dempsey
    Language
    Laura Purdie Salas
    Layered Text
    Library
    Linda Ashman
    Liz Garton Scanlon
    Lori Degman
    Lori Nawyn
    Mac Barnett
    Marcie Colleen
    Marcie Flinchum Atkins
    Marcie Flinchum-Atkins
    Maria Gianferrari
    Matthew Winner
    Melissa Stewart
    Mentor Texts
    Minimal Word Count
    Miranda Paul
    Mira Reisberg
    Monthly Challenge
    Mo Willems
    Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books
    Non-fiction Picture Books
    Nonfiction Picture Books
    Pat Miller
    Pat Zietlow Miller
    Paul Czajak
    Penny Klostermann
    Peter Brown
    Picture Book Biographies
    Picture Book Structures
    Picture Book Summit
    Picture Books With Heart
    Prize Drawings 2016
    Read-Aloud-Ability
    Reading For Research
    Reading For Research Month
    Reading List
    Reflection Questions
    ReFoRe Author Educator
    ReFoRe Author-Educator
    ReFoReMo
    ReFoReMo 2016
    ReFoReMo Goals
    Registration
    Renee LaTulippe
    Research Tools
    Revealing ReFoReMo
    Rhyming Picture Books
    Russ Cox
    Shari Dash Greenspan
    Sharing Contest
    Strong Girl Characters
    Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
    Support For Writers
    Susanna Leonard Hill
    Suzy Leopold
    Sylvia Liu
    Tammi Sauer
    Tara Lazar
    The Brothers Hilts
    Tom Lichtenheld
    Top Picture Books
    Tracey M. Cox
    Travis Jonker
    Uncomfortable Subjects
    Voice
    Writing Tips
    Yvonne Mes

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.