ReFoReMo Day 14: Kirsti Call Discovers the Unexpected

3/14/2015

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!

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 05:15:50 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:54:42 pm

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

Juliana Lee link

3/13/2015 05:17:49 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!

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:56:20 pm

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

Kristi Veitenheimer

3/13/2015 05:28:49 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:56:41 pm

You'll love them, Kristi!

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/13/2015 05:39:35 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.

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:57:14 pm

I really enjoyed STUCK too!

Wendy Engelmann

3/13/2015 05:46:52 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!

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:58:15 pm

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 :)

Heidi Yates

3/13/2015 06:47:22 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.

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:59:19 pm

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

Maria Laso

3/13/2015 08:00:07 pm

And now adding to my list of mustache PB titles!

Kirsti Call

3/13/2015 11:59:48 pm

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

Maria Marshall

3/13/2015 08:01:02 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.

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:01:18 am

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

Rebecca Colby

3/13/2015 08:11:15 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:02:23 am

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

Kaye Baillie

3/13/2015 08:49:51 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:11:21 am

Yes! It's one of the best!

Lori Mozdzierz

3/13/2015 10:28:33 pm

Great examples of titles that hook!

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:12:04 am

Yes! I wish I had thought of them!

Jodi Mckay

3/13/2015 10:57:17 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:12:35 am

Glad you're looking for these :)

Linda Schueler link

3/13/2015 11:28:05 pm

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

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:13:15 am

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

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/13/2015 11:45:07 pm

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!

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:13:48 am

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

Lisa Connors link

3/13/2015 11:55:51 pm

Unexpected is delightful!

joanne sher link

3/14/2015 12:10:16 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!

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:14:58 am

Oh Joanne! You're the sweetest!

Deborah Allmand

3/14/2015 12:11:06 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?

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 12:18:13 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!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/14/2015 05:39:12 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! :)

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/15/2015 04:07:05 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 12:41:55 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.

Kirsti Call

3/14/2015 01:15:12 am

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

Leslie Goodman link

3/14/2015 01:17:30 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.

MaDonna Maurer link

3/14/2015 01:19:36 am

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

Nicole Popel link

3/14/2015 01:50:06 am

These are my favorites!

Laura J / Laura Jenkins

3/14/2015 02:40:42 am

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

Sue Heavenrich

3/14/2015 03:18:42 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....)

maria gianferrari link

3/14/2015 03:21:14 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!

Joyce Tucker link

3/14/2015 03:49:48 am

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

AJ Irving link

3/14/2015 04:05:13 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!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/14/2015 04:16:32 am

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

Lori Dubbin

3/14/2015 04:53:36 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 :)!

Manju Howard link

3/14/2015 04:56:31 am

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

Sandy Perlic

3/14/2015 05:34:22 am

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

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/14/2015 05:43:23 am

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

Stephanie Geckle link

3/14/2015 05:57:00 am

These are just so great. Thank you, Kirsti!

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/14/2015 06:12:38 am

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

shirley johnson

3/14/2015 06:12:52 am

Great titles! Thanks so much for your post!

JEN Garrett link

3/14/2015 06:13:53 am

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

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/14/2015 06:18:53 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. :)

Janie Reinart

3/14/2015 06:21:43 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 .

Doreen Lepore link

3/14/2015 06:41:17 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.

Kathy Mazurowski

3/14/2015 07:10:19 am

Clever selection. Thanks!

Kathy Phillips

3/14/2015 08:20:44 am

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

Anita

3/14/2015 09:44:01 am

All the suggestions have been great!

Deirdre Englehart

3/14/2015 10:11:48 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!

Robin Currie link

3/14/2015 10:16:32 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?

Elaine Kiely Kearns

3/14/2015 12:44:33 pm

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

Doris Stone

3/14/2015 01:24:48 pm

Great Suggestions! Thank you, Kirsti!

Angela hawkins link

3/14/2015 02:01:14 pm

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

Suzy Leopold

3/14/2015 02:09:29 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.

Myrna Foster link

3/14/2015 06:10:34 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.

Keila Dawson link

3/14/2015 06:19:49 pm

Fun, fun titles and books. 😉

Donna Cangelosi link

3/15/2015 03:28:37 am

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

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/15/2015 04:09:15 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!

Rachel Hamby link

3/15/2015 05:24:19 am

Thanks, Kristi!

Debra Shumaker

3/15/2015 06:47:46 am

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

Renee Kirchner

3/15/2015 08:27:04 am

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

Ann Magee

3/15/2015 11:50:25 am

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:)

Val McCammon

3/15/2015 11:56:48 pm

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

Elaine Hillson

3/16/2015 12:01:50 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.

Caroline Twomey link

3/16/2015 01:02:00 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! ")

Carrie Finison

3/16/2015 02:01:38 am

Perfect list of unexpected stories. Thanks, Kirsti!

Mary Worley

3/16/2015 02:04:19 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.

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/16/2015 02:56:07 am

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

Rene` Diane Aube

3/16/2015 04:33:55 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. :)

Sandy Powell

3/16/2015 04:42:35 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.

Janet Smart link

3/16/2015 06:52:38 am

I need to work on the unexpected and great titles.

Romelle Broas link

3/16/2015 07:21:57 am

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

Ashley Bankhead

3/16/2015 07:32:13 am

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

Carrie Charley Brown

3/16/2015 06:07:06 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.

Erin Nowak link

3/17/2015 01:38:50 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!

Cassie Bentley

3/17/2015 12:05:56 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.

Beth Gallagher

3/18/2015 12:08:22 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!! :)

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 03:03:03 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!

Lauri Meyers link

3/26/2015 01:17:57 pm

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

Jeanette Bradley link

3/30/2015 12:54:39 am

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

Anita Banks

3/31/2015 03:26:42 am

Thank you!

Ellen Sirianni

3/31/2015 10:47:11 am

Great suggestions! I love The Day the Crayons Quit.

ReFoReMo Day 14: Kirsti Call Discovers the Unexpected

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