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 22: Deborah Underwood Corresponds with Opportunities

3/22/2016

210 Comments

 
By Deborah Underwood
 
In studying correspondence-based picture books, I found numerous possibilities: one single letter, one-way correspondence, back-and-forth letters between two characters, letters between many different characters, and letters used in combination with a narrative (like my favorite, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type).

Few picture books use this potentially-tricky format—to me, that indicates an opportunity!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett
Dear Mrs. LaRue Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, Illustrated by David Small
Dear Tabby by Carolyn Crimi, Illustrated by David Roberts

Picture
Chronicle Books is giving away a copy of Interstellar Cinderella to one lucky winner at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. Thank you, Chronicle! To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on every post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.
Picture
Picture
Deborah Underwood is the author of numerous picture books, including Interstellar Cinderella, The Quiet Book, Here Comes Valentine Cat, and the forthcoming Good Night, Baddies. Please visit her online at DeborahUnderwoodBooks.com.

210 Comments
Maria Marshall
3/22/2016 01:29:19 am

Deborah, I really would love to pull off this format. Thanks for great mentor texts.

Reply
JIlanne Hoffmann
3/22/2016 01:33:18 am

Interesting format. Dear Mrs. LaRue was one of my son's favorites. Haven't seen Dear Tabby or Meerkat Mail, so will put those on my list. Thanks for the suggestions!

Reply
Tina Cho link
3/22/2016 05:40:12 am

This is a neat grouping of picture books--correspondence! I really like Doreen Cronin's book. I look forward to reading the others. Thanks, Deborah!

Reply
Sara Gentry
3/22/2016 05:43:06 am

Thank you for suggesting the letter format for future writing projects, and thank you for providing examples in which it is done successfully.

Reply
Lori Gravley link
3/22/2016 05:46:52 am

I love these books. But I'd never thought about giving the firm a try. Now, that's my April draft plan. I'm this will be a perfect approach for at least one of the ideas on my list.

Reply
Joy Main
3/22/2016 06:04:31 am

I *love* Click Clack Moo (though have to admit to not liking the follow-ups as much). Looking forward to reading these other great books, thank you!

Reply
Andrea Mack link
3/22/2016 06:05:52 am

I've read and enjoyed almost all of these ones! Now you've got me thinking about trying to write a picture book that is structured using correspondence.

Reply
carole calladine
3/22/2016 06:11:30 am

Thanks for this grouping. This is an interesting way to tell a story. Loved the Tabby, Meerkat, and Mrs. LaRue stories. Click Clack Moo has always been a favorite. You certainly have me thinking, thinking. Thanks for bringing this structure to the forefront.

Reply
Rebecca Colby
3/22/2016 06:14:29 am

I love the idea of writing a book through correspondence and hope to tackle it one day. "Dear Mrs LaRue" is a popular title at our house, as is another correspondence-based book, "I Wanna Iguana". Thanks for these recommendations!

Reply
Donna L Martin link
3/22/2016 06:23:27 am

I've read the Clack, Clack, Moo books before and I also enjoy correspondence picture books. I can't wait to read Merecat Mail...looks wonderful!

Reply
joanne sher link
3/22/2016 06:26:20 am

These were definitely fun - especially liked. Dear Tabby - really noticed the story arc. Have a very basic idea in my head that I hope will fill out today (first day of jury duty!). Thanks!

Reply
Terri DeGezelle link
3/22/2016 06:41:45 am

The Gardener is one of my favorite titles I have our in my collection of books. The other titles are great examples but Sarah Stewart and David Small is my favorite team.

Reply
Michele Manning
3/22/2016 06:42:31 am

Ooh...opportunity! Love to hear that! These books are such fun. Ihave this sudden urge to write a letter.... Thanks!

Reply
Katelyn Aronson
3/22/2016 06:47:35 am

I do think epistolary picture books have a special charm! (Current fave: The Day The Crayons Quit). Thank you, Deborah, for this article and your own excellent pb titles as well!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:25:19 pm

Thank YOU, Katelyn! :)

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
3/22/2016 06:56:56 am

Thanks, Deborah! My kids always enjoyed opening letters and reading mail in picture books. Thanks for these great examples and for pointing out an opportunity. That is always appreciated!

Reply
Lucky Jo Boscarino
3/22/2016 06:58:28 am

Among today's mentor texts I especially connected with The Gardener, and Click, Clack, Moo. Thanks, Deborah. I adore 'Here Comes Easter Cat and Here Comes Valentine Cat (love that Cat!).

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:25:50 pm

Oh, I'm so glad! Thank you!

Reply
Linda Chavez
3/22/2016 07:04:41 am

I have a feeling we are going to be generating some pbs with the letter format in this group! Thanks for the ideas and encouragement. Love these texts.

Reply
Lisa Connors link
3/22/2016 07:17:29 am

I've always loved The Gardener! Thanks Deborah!

Reply
Tanya Konerman link
3/22/2016 07:22:03 am

The Gardener and Dear Mrs. LaRue are great. Looking forward to reading the others as well! Think I might try my hand at one of these very soon!

Reply
Val McCammon
3/22/2016 07:33:12 am

As someone who loves sending and receiving written letters, these PBs are favorites. Thanks Deborah.

Reply
MD Knabb
3/22/2016 07:40:00 am

Love the mentor texts you suggested. I haven't tried this format but think I will. Thanks, Deborah. Your sassy cat is a fun character.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:26:16 pm

Thank you, MD! Cat is quite a handful. :)

Reply
Kathy Mazurowski
3/22/2016 07:40:34 am

Love this format. Thanks for introducing me to several titles I was not aware of. Thanks you. Off to library site.

Reply
Leah Heilman Schanke
3/22/2016 07:59:00 am

What a wonderful selection of books with humor and heart. I enjoy correspondence-based books for any age. I have not tried to write one but now thinking to do so. Thank you!

Reply
Mary Boehmer
3/22/2016 07:59:36 am

Thank you for sharing with us! Excellent mentor suggestions :) I too am a someone who loves letters and this format is a great way to share that with children! Happy Reading!

Reply
Virginia Law Manning link
3/22/2016 08:14:09 am

I agree this is a wonderful format. I wonder if today these should be emails or text messages though so children can relate. I also love the "Griffin and Sabine" series (although older) and "The Jolly Postman" where you enjoy actually pulling the letters out of the envelops, although I'm sure libraries prefer the letters printed in the book. Thank you! I love your books!!!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:27:21 pm

I loved those Griffin and Sabine books too, Virginia! Thanks for your kind words. :)

Reply
Manju Howard
3/22/2016 08:15:30 am

Thanks, Deborah! I've read these PBs and wrote one that included notes. I also love The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart, illus. by David Small. They are an amazing couple.

Reply
Kathy Halsey
3/22/2016 08:25:31 am

I've read most of these but not DEAR TABBY & MEERCAT. Letter structure is always fun! Thanks, Deborah.

Reply
Robin Currie link
3/22/2016 08:32:13 am

I have a story that is not going anywhere in its current form - I'll try in correspondence. Thanks.

Reply
Marianne Kuzujanakis link
3/22/2016 08:33:38 am

Thanks, Deborah!
Done right, these types of books are my favorites.
I'm pulling down a few from my bookshelf right now.

Reply
Darlene Koppel link
3/22/2016 08:36:01 am

Sounds like a great idea to try!

Reply
Christine Rodenbour
3/22/2016 08:39:26 am

Loving this post. I'm in the middle of a correspondence-based picture book right now and having SO much fun with it! Great mentor texts for me today. Thank you.

Reply
Anne Appert link
3/22/2016 01:18:31 pm

Thought of you Christine as soon as I saw this post! :)

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:27:53 pm

Terrific--good luck with it!

Reply
Deborah Allmand
3/22/2016 08:46:15 am

Deborah, one of my favorites is THE GARDENER by Sarah Stewart. I have read CLICK CLACK MOO, COWS THAT TYPE. But I look forward to reading the rest of your suggestions. Thank you for the post and fabulous prize!

Reply
Melissa Rutigliano
3/22/2016 08:51:37 am

Interesting and fun. I can't help by wonder how the manuscripts for these kinds of formatted texts were submitted? Any insight??
Thanks!

Reply
Melissa Rutigliano
3/22/2016 08:55:03 am

I also have to add how Dear Tabby was particularly fun. Those return addresses on each letter! This book had substance for sure :)

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:29:34 pm

Good question--I really don't know! I suspect many could just be straight text.

Reply
Karla Valenti
3/22/2016 08:52:57 am

This is a great format and one that, as you rightly point out, is rather underutilized. Thank you for the great mentor texts and the inspiration that comes with them!

Reply
Amy Murrell
3/22/2016 08:54:41 am

I've only read about half of these and have never considered using correspondence myself. I'm looking forward to reading the others and perhaps seeing a new challenge open up in the process. I do love Letters to Mrs. Larue. It's been a favorite of mine for a while. Thanks for this post, Deborah. -Amy

Reply
Stephanie Gray
3/22/2016 08:58:19 am

Such a great format when done right. I can't help thinking "The Day the Crayons Quit" had to be just a tiny bit inspired by "Dear Tabby."

Reply
Sue Poduska
3/22/2016 09:02:10 am

Love, love, love every single one of these. Clever authors and illustrators.

Reply
Jess Townes link
3/22/2016 09:03:15 am

Love this post! Click Clack Moo is an all time favorite and I'm still waiting to get my hands on Dear Tabby. My fave correspondence book is for adult readers- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Fabulous read by a great author who writes for kiddos too.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:30:13 pm

I loved Guernsey L&PPPS too!

Reply
Brook Gideon link
3/22/2016 09:03:51 am

Deborah,

Thank you for showing us all the ways correspondence can work in a picture book manuscript. The mentor texts are all wonderful!

Reply
Cathy Mealey
3/22/2016 09:08:44 am

Love epistolary picture books! I believe Josh Funk's "Dear Dragon" follows this format - publishing in September 2016.
Deborah's "Cat" is one of our favorite characters.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:30:41 pm

Ooh, I'll have to look for Josh's book in the fall! So glad you like my crazy Cat. :)

Reply
Sharon Giltrow
3/22/2016 09:11:40 am

Thanks Deborah for showing us a different way to write PB. Letters what a brilliant idea.

Reply
Nancy Rimar
3/22/2016 09:15:52 am

This sounds interesting and like something to try out. Thanks for the list of mentor texts.

Reply
Angela Turner
3/22/2016 09:24:34 am

Love these mentor books you have recommended. The Gardener and Dest Mrs LaRue are two my favorite picture books. What's really got me excited today though is a chance to win Interstellar Cinderella! Love it!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:31:01 pm

Hooray--good luck!

Reply
Anna Forrester link
3/22/2016 09:25:08 am

Thanks -- nice list (and focus)! It is such a great format/set-up, too, for kids who are just learning to write themselves...

Reply
Martin Segal link
3/22/2016 09:26:08 am

Thank you for sharing this format, Deborah! Very interesting idea!

Reply
Donna Cangelosi link
3/22/2016 09:29:14 am

These books are such fun, Deborah! Thank you for the recommendations.

Reply
Linda Thomas
3/22/2016 09:30:51 am

I love writing and reading letters...what a great concept for a PB. Thank you Deborah for this list and suggestion! I just read your Tooth Fairy Cat yesterday and loved how you set up the conversation between the narrator and the cat!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:31:22 pm

Oh, I'm so glad you liked it, Linda!

Reply
Natalie Rompella link
3/22/2016 09:37:39 am

Interesting genre! I love the different ways pbs can be grouped. Thanks!

Reply
Susan Deo
3/22/2016 09:37:49 am

Deborah: What a creative topic for ReFoReMo! Thanks for sharing some of these wonderful picture books in letters. Click Clack Moo has been a favorite of mine for a while and the others were all new to me. They make me smile and wonderful texts to study!

Reply
Beverly Marsh
3/22/2016 09:38:26 am

Deborah, thanks for the great mentor text suggestions and a format idea/opportunity!

Reply
Emily
3/22/2016 09:38:57 am

Hi Deborah,
I love your books so was super excited for your post! Thanks for sharing these mentor texts, can't wait to read them all!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:31:43 pm

Thanks so much, Emily! :)

Reply
debra daugherty
3/22/2016 09:40:46 am

Great mentor texts. I love this format. I've read THE GARDNER, but will now check out the others.

Reply
Laura Renauld
3/22/2016 09:41:05 am

Loved Meerkat Mail! Thanks for sharing books with this interesting structure. (Huge fan of your books, by the way!)

Reply
Denise Engle
3/22/2016 09:57:28 am

I loved Dear Tabby so much that I ordered it for my grown niece, who teaches psychology at university. She loves cats, and she loved the book!

Reply
Shari Della Penna link
3/22/2016 10:00:50 am

So letter writing is NOT a lost art after all! Communication is key to any relationship that works. Thanks for the great examples.

Reply
Diane Asyre
3/22/2016 10:03:55 am

Great suggestions for a unique approach that keeps adults entertained as well as the children they're reading to.

Reply
Sue Heavenrich
3/22/2016 10:05:32 am

I loved the different examples of communicating by letter: typing, post cards.... Of course, there's always communicating by signs (Easter Cat, etc).

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:32:15 pm

Ha! Yes--Cat manages to get quite a lot across. :)

Reply
Linda Schueler
3/22/2016 10:06:56 am

Cool. I love correspondence books, and there are a couple here that I haven't read. Thanks.

Reply
Heidi Yates
3/22/2016 10:07:03 am

I never considered writing a picture book using correspondence. Thank you for opening my eyes to something new, and for the great reference texts. :)

Reply
Alan Elliott link
3/22/2016 10:07:53 am

Loved Click, Clack, Moo also...

Reply
Linda Hofke
3/22/2016 10:10:21 am

I love these book. They are so fun and funny.

Reply
Debbie McCue
3/22/2016 10:17:21 am

I love this idea, Deborah. This technique is fun! I love the typing cows and can't wait to read the other books you suggest. Thanks.

Reply
dfrybarger
3/22/2016 10:19:44 am

Thank you for the great recommendations. What an interesting type of PB!

Reply
Bethany Roberts link
3/22/2016 10:20:19 am

What a wonderful mentor list- thanks for the inspiration! (And I am a big fan of your Cat series, Deborah - so original and fun!)

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:32:38 pm

Thank you so much, Bethany! :)

Reply
Chana Stiefel link
3/22/2016 10:20:36 am

Awesome list. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of those GRYPHON & SABINE books I used to love! Keep in mind that Josh Funk's DEAR DRAGON is coming out in September.

Reply
Rita Lorraine Hubbard link
3/22/2016 10:24:03 am

Love this format! Thanks for the list. :)

Reply
monique wakefield
3/22/2016 10:24:31 am

Thanks Deborah! I have been thinking about this format and will have to check out some of these text.

Reply
Carol Nelson
3/22/2016 10:37:28 am

Clack, Clack, Moo is one of my favorites. This post was a great idea generator for me. Thanks for sharing these mentor texts.

Reply
Lynn Davidson link
3/22/2016 10:39:30 am

Thank you for this insight, Deborah. I've read one of these books and have another I will read today. I think, done properly and carefully, this concept can be quite amusing ... such as the crayon books by Drew Daywalt, but also educational in a fun way. I've yet to try a story written in this way, but it could be enjoyable.

Reply
Meena
3/22/2016 10:40:56 am

Great selection for a wonderful topic. Thanks for the lead!

Reply
Mary Jo Wagner
3/22/2016 10:47:17 am

Hmm.. Is it coincidence that I just recently started a correspondence-based MS? Best keep at it! Thanks for the mentors.

Reply
Nancy Ramsey
3/22/2016 10:49:29 am

These mentor texts are great! Love the format- Thanks for this post!

Reply
Rosie Pova
3/22/2016 10:53:48 am

I was just working on one of my own :) Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Marlene Rohr link
3/22/2016 10:54:38 am

Thanks for these mentor text suggestions. I enjoyed reading most of these and appreciate the varied approaches to correspondence in each one. Sophie Allsopp is another author/illustrator whose writes books with little letters tucked into envelopes for readers to take out and read.

Reply
Cecilia
3/22/2016 10:54:38 am

Thanks for the selections. Lots of fun to read and a great format to consider.

Reply
JEN link
3/22/2016 10:55:56 am

I have a correspondence-type manuscript in my 'drawer' right now. Maybe these mentor texts will help me bring it to a submittable format!

Reply
Brenda Huante
3/22/2016 10:57:25 am

What fun possibilities! Thank you, Deborah!

Reply
Lori Dubbin
3/22/2016 10:59:35 am

Thank you for these wonderful correspondence examples. There's nothing like opening up a picture book and seeing "You've got mail!" Such great reads and my favorite is The Gardener.

Reply
Sharon Putnam
3/22/2016 11:02:00 am

Thank you Deborah for showing us how a writer can go about using the letter/correspondence format in picture books. It’s an interesting way to tell a story and one that I plan on tackling, although I suppose I should join the current century and use emails or text messages instead of letters

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:34:59 pm

Oh, I don't know--I think introducing kids to letters is a wonderful thing. I feel bad for kids today who don't know the thrilled of getting a long-awaited letter the way I did when I was a kid.

Reply
Susan Zonca
3/22/2016 11:03:54 am

Who doesn't like personal correspondence? Thanks for sharing these mentor texts, Deborah.

Reply
Janie Reinart
3/22/2016 11:11:52 am

Click, Clack, Moo makes me laugh every time I read it. My granddaughter giggled when she lost her first tooth and we read your Tooth Fairy Cat book. Love your Cat series.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:35:29 pm

Thanks so much, Janie--glad you enjoyed the books! :)

Reply
Karen Brady link
3/22/2016 11:16:34 am

Thank you, Deborah! I love reading books written in correspondence format. I enjoyed all of these mentor texts, but especially loved The Gardener! For those who like reading correspondence-based books, I highly recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula. Definitely not a children's book, but it's written in letter format (also known as an epistolary novel), with correspondence going back and forth between the main characters. Books, whether novels or picture books, written in this way seem to make the story more real/intimate somehow.

Reply
Melanie Ellsworth
3/22/2016 11:19:18 am

Editors haven't yet shown much interest in my correspondence-based picture book, but you give me hope, Deborah! I enjoyed the three titles I've read on your list, and will get the other two from the library. In the first TOOT & PUDDLE book, I recall that Toot sends postcards home to Puddle. Though older, that book still feels fresh today.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:36:01 pm

I loved that book too, Melanie!

Reply
Rachel Hamby link
3/22/2016 11:34:13 am

Dear Mrs. laRue is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for introducing me to a couple of new PB's that use correspondence to tell the story.

Reply
Charlotte Dixon
3/22/2016 11:35:08 am

Thank you, Deborah, for sharing the correspondence-based picture books. I have a couple of them and need to get the rest.

Reply
Shelley Marshall
3/22/2016 11:37:10 am

I LOVE Dear Mrs. LaRue and will surely love the other mentor texts you've mentioned. Off to the library. Thanks so much.

Reply
Julie Burchstead
3/22/2016 11:40:28 am

This is a great post. I have lived this genre since The Jolly Postman. As I have a WIP in this genre, I appreciate these old and new mentor texts.

Reply
Sue Ganz-Schmitt link
3/22/2016 11:40:54 am

Thanks Deborah! Click, Clack, Moo ranks as one of my favorite in the category. Enjoying the others as well!

Reply
Sheri Radovich
3/22/2016 11:41:55 am

I loved these books and was interested to find a book about the Great Depression that would appeal to children of today-The Gardener. But the stories in each of these books were a whole new format. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.

Reply
Annette Bay Pimentel link
3/22/2016 11:46:04 am

I loved the way Meerkat Mail used the conventions of postcards to add nonfiction content to the text. Each postcard had something--picture, explanatory text, etc.--that explained facts about the kind of meerkat visited on that spread. Most creative sidebars I've ever seen!

Reply
Therese Nagi
3/22/2016 11:56:16 am

Thanks Deborah for the book titles.

Reply
maria gianferrari link
3/22/2016 12:00:09 pm

LOVE your books, Deborah :). Thanks for the epistolary selections. To this day, Click Clack Moo remains one of my favorite books. It just hits all the right notes--love it.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:36:57 pm

Thanks, Maria! CLICK CLACK MOO is still one of my favorites, too--so simple and brilliant!

Reply
Sandra Jenkins
3/22/2016 12:05:24 pm

Love this idea!

Reply
Lenne' Musarra
3/22/2016 12:07:59 pm

Thank you for the post and mentor texts based on correspondence. One of my favorite PBs from the past was The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. The postman delivered mail to classic fairy tale characters. Kids really enjoyed the humorous details and the act of opening an envelop to see what craziness would be shared. I shall have to explore this venue!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/22/2016 04:37:57 pm

The Jolly Postman is so great, isn't it? Although librarians may be less fond of books where there are lots of bits that can go missing, alas.

Reply
Charlene Steadman
3/22/2016 08:48:04 pm

My sons loved The Jolly Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman. I am now reading them to my grand kids. I really enjoyed Dear Tabby because everything was so neatly wrapped up effortlessly (only in appearance).

Reply
Mike Karg link
3/22/2016 12:12:27 pm

Thanks, Deborah! Add Stacy McAnulty's Dear Santasaurus to this list.

Reply
Anita Jones link
3/22/2016 12:15:14 pm

I really love the idea of writing a correspondence story...Thanks Deborah for the additional resources. I look forward to reading your books!

Reply
Suzy Leopold
3/22/2016 12:22:47 pm

Even though I am familar with many of the mentor text titles that you shared, I never thought about the category of correspondence-based stories. Your thoughts are definitely an opportunity to try writing in this format. You and your books are appreciated.

Reply
Sadee Schilling
3/22/2016 12:29:41 pm

Thanks, Deborah! I have always loved to read books written through letters, but never considered trying it myself. Looking forward to giving it a try!

Reply
Tracey Brown
3/22/2016 12:33:23 pm

Correspondence-based PB's confirm that letter writing is not a lost art :)
Thanks for the suggested texts, Deborah

Reply
Pam Jones-Nill
3/22/2016 12:42:01 pm

Thanks for the mentor texts. I read Click, Clack, Moo recently and it makes me chuckle to think of it. I'm adding the others to my reading list.

Reply
Mary Worley
3/22/2016 12:48:53 pm

I love letters—in all levels of books. Thanks for making me think about how to incorporate it in a picture book.

Reply
Maria Johnson
3/22/2016 12:53:47 pm

Thank you for getting me to think more specifically about letters
incorporated into story.

Reply
Juliana Lee link
3/22/2016 12:53:51 pm

Thanks for some new titles to research! Going to bury myself for a few hours.

Reply
Megan Taraszkiewicz
3/22/2016 01:01:17 pm

Thank you for this post and great selections for the letter format. I just started a letter format draft and these are the perfect mentor texts!

Reply
Shelley Kinder
3/22/2016 01:17:28 pm

I love Click Clack Moo....one of my faves! I haven't thought much about writing in this format, but when you mentioned it's not very common, it makes me think MORE about doing it! Thanks for a great post and list of books.

Reply
Anne Appert link
3/22/2016 01:19:25 pm

I haven't ever really tried this before, can't wait to take a look at these books. Maybe I'll give it a go and change things up a bit. Thank you for your post!

Reply
sue twiggs
3/22/2016 01:20:11 pm

Deborah,
You've come up with a new format-the letter format. I purchased click Clack Moo: Cows That Type for my granddaughter at Fleet Farm, a farm supply store- the perfect book to read while visiting Wisconsin. The book is hilarious! I will check out the others. This format might just work with a new MS I'm working on.

Reply
Laura Purdie Salas link
3/22/2016 01:30:15 pm

These are so much fun! I've only read a couple of them before. Very cool to see different approaches using this form. DEAR TABBY=hysterical. Thanks, Deborah!

Reply
Jena Benton
3/22/2016 01:30:25 pm

I love epistolary novels! I never thought of them as a picture book format before! Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Christie Allred link
3/22/2016 01:43:25 pm

This is one of my favorite picture book formats. :)

Reply
Alice Fulgione
3/22/2016 01:46:42 pm

I've read "Click Clack Moo" and I'm looking forward to reading your other suggested mentor texts. Thanks for the post!

Reply
Ali Bovis
3/22/2016 01:57:02 pm

Thanks so much for the great post and terrific mentor texts! It seems like such a fun format and I can't wait to learn more.

Reply
Nina Johnson
3/22/2016 01:57:11 pm

I love this. Thanks. I have a Chapter book written that uses letters as one of the main ways that the girls correspond with their grandmother. I hope someone picks up on it since I too, believe this in an opportunity.

Reply
Judy Cooper link
3/22/2016 01:57:37 pm

Such an interesting genre. Thank you for introducing it to us. I love Dear Tabby. So funny, good life lessons and engaging illustrations.

Reply
Lynn Alpert link
3/22/2016 02:06:10 pm

I look forward to reading these books - thanks Deborah!

Reply
Sherri Jones Rivers link
3/22/2016 03:22:32 pm

I have yet to get my hands on two of these, bit I loved the three I read. Thanks for posting such stellar books.

Reply
Joana Pastro
3/22/2016 03:40:13 pm

Hi Deborah! This is such a fun format. I loved Dear Tabby, it's a lot of fun to read out loud and such a happy ending, and The Gardener has the wonderful message of making the best of any situation. Thanks!

Reply
Heather Pierce Stigall link
3/22/2016 03:54:13 pm

I have an idea for a PB involving correspondence, so these will be great mentor texts for me. Thanks for the suggestions!

Reply
Denise Benavides
3/22/2016 04:12:04 pm

Thanks for these fun books. I like the rhythms

Reply
PatHaap
3/22/2016 04:17:33 pm

Love those kinds of books too!

Reply
Jarm Del Boccio link
3/22/2016 04:58:19 pm

Very cleverly written. Most of these I have not read. Thanks for the suggestions, Deborah!

Reply
Amanda Sincavage
3/22/2016 05:01:38 pm

Another great selection - some familiar and some new to me. This would certainly be a fun format to explore! Thanks Deborah!

Reply
AJ Irving link
3/22/2016 05:19:38 pm

Great picks, Deborah! Thank you!

Reply
Cathy Breisacher
3/22/2016 05:53:23 pm

This is such a timely post for me. I'm working on a correspondence based picture book and the mentor texts you suggested here are excellent ones to study. I know I can glean useful information from looking at them a bit more closely. Thank you! I LOVE your books, by the way!!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/23/2016 12:44:46 am

Thank you, Cathy! :)

Reply
Patricia Nozell
3/22/2016 05:55:32 pm

Dear Deborah, a fabulous idea! Thanks for pointing out this opportunity. Patricia

Reply
Dee Leone link
3/22/2016 06:13:52 pm

I've never thought of "correspondence" as a category. What a unique and creative post! Thanks, Deborah. I'm click clacking away here.

Reply
Ellen Leventhal
3/22/2016 06:22:38 pm

I am actually working on a PB like this now. Thanks so much for all those great mentor texts! Going to read them now. Thanks!

Reply
Jaclyn Kruzie link
3/22/2016 06:24:41 pm

I'm with Dee Leone, I never thought of correspondence as a category. I would like to see how this is formatted in the manuscript state.

Reply
Noelle McBride
3/22/2016 06:26:21 pm

Thank you for these excellent recommendations! I love the variety. Some are so simple, lively and fun, and others have layers of details that can be enjoyed by many levels or readers.

Reply
Gabrielle Snyder link
3/22/2016 06:35:09 pm

Ooh, thanks for the inspiration. A correspondence-based PB sounds like a fun opportunity to explore. And I love INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/24/2016 12:32:52 pm

Thanks, Gabrielle--I'm so glad! :)

Reply
Gabrielle Snyder link
3/22/2016 06:37:39 pm

Thanks for the inspiration! Experimenting with a correspondence-based PB sounds like a fun opportunity. And I love INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA!

Reply
Bev Baird
3/22/2016 07:07:49 pm

Wonderful post. Thanks for reminding me about the power of letters. One I have always treasured is The Jolly Postman series by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg.

Reply
Ann Magee
3/22/2016 07:18:17 pm

Love, love, love this idea as a possible PB structure. Will definitely have to try it out. Thanks!

Reply
DeLeon
3/22/2016 07:28:13 pm

I couldn't have think of this myself. What a great idea! These were so fun to read. Thank you so much Deborah.

Reply
Mona Pease
3/22/2016 07:48:12 pm

Brilliant! Thanks, Deborah for this idea and your choice of mentor books.

Reply
Linda kujawski link
3/22/2016 07:51:39 pm

Deborah, thank you for this great list. I heard David Small talk about THE GARDENER at The Met last spring. An amazing story! And a fascinating evening.

Reply
Natalie Lynn Tanner
3/22/2016 07:52:09 pm

Hi Deborah: THANK YOU for pointing out this seldom-used genre in picture books. A GREAT reminder to look for new/seldom-used ways in order to capture the imagination of our readers! THANK YOU!!!!

Reply
KatyD
3/22/2016 08:16:57 pm

Another good one is Darcy Pattison's THE JOURNEY OF OLIVER K. WOODMAN. :-)

Reply
Traci Bold link
3/22/2016 08:40:35 pm

Deborah, you chose exceptional examples of this style of picture books. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of them. I have not read too many like these so I know you are correct that it is an untapped style to try. I'm game so off to write a new story. Thank you for sharing these and giving us more options to try. p.s. Love Cat!

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/23/2016 12:45:33 am

Thanks from Cat and me! :)

Reply
Kimberly Marcus link
3/22/2016 09:05:59 pm

Thank you for a very interesting topic. I had never seen The Gardener before. What a lovely story. Thank you for putting together some terrific mentor texts!!

Reply
Vicki Reinhardt
3/22/2016 09:19:35 pm

More great books! Thank you so much for the suggestions! I've read a couple of these, but I'll be sure to read the others now, too. =)

Reply
Keila Dawson link
3/22/2016 09:50:22 pm

Letter writing is such a fun way to tell a story. Dear Mrs. LaRue is one of my favorites. Cracked me up. Off to read Dear Tabby and Meerkat Mail.

Reply
Celeste Gerard
3/22/2016 09:59:37 pm

Thank you more wonderful book suggestions. The letter writing is a wonderful way to communicate.

Reply
Elizabeth Duncan link
3/22/2016 10:02:59 pm

What a treat to read and to think about this format. Enjoyed the creativity and fun of the texts.

Reply
Trine
3/22/2016 10:20:29 pm

My favorite in this group is The Gardener. Lydia Grace Finch could have been featured on ReFoReMo Day 16 as well: A strong, problem-solving young lady!

Reply
Carol Cole link
3/22/2016 10:44:08 pm

Deborah, What great mentor texts. I love the idea of characters writing letters. "The Gardener" is so touching. While "Dear Mrs. LaRue" is very humorous. I especially love the twist ending in "Click, Clack, Moo". I'm going to try this concept for my next story.

Reply
Lydia Lukidis link
3/22/2016 11:12:53 pm

Great reads. These are things I never considered before, but now I'm getting sudden inspiration!

Reply
Lotus Ivak
3/22/2016 11:21:36 pm

Eye-opening! Thanks much Deborah!

Reply
Linda Carpenter link
3/22/2016 11:27:59 pm

Many thanks! I have read several of these. I love the correspondence text in stories - some of us use to write letters!

Reply
Angie Quantrell
3/22/2016 11:29:40 pm

I love this format! What a fun way to write picture books! Thanks for sharing, Deborah!

Reply
Pamela Courtney
3/22/2016 11:38:59 pm

I wanna bring the funny in my writing. This format is ripe for just such writing. Now, who's teaching a class in The Art of Bringin' the Funny? I wanna sign up for that one. Thanks for these recs. Will definitely be studying them. Thank you so much.

Reply
Nadine Gamble link
3/23/2016 07:19:01 am

More books for my list! Thanks so much!

Reply
Lauri Meyers link
3/23/2016 07:27:30 am

Interesting format. The original Toot & Puddle was mostly postcards to eachother.

Reply
Sherry Howard link
3/23/2016 07:38:46 am

Thanks for making some great PB characters! And thanks for the conversation on this type of book. Kids love correspondence from the earliest age, and books that feature this always seem to be a hit, especially with the humor they usually include!

Reply
Kristi Veitenheimer link
3/23/2016 11:17:42 am

What a fun format to play around with! Thanks for the mentor texts to read and use.

Reply
Suzanne Poulter Harris
3/23/2016 11:43:32 am

An interesting format and an untapped opportunity - I like how you think!

Reply
Karen Condit
3/23/2016 12:05:19 pm

I love this format and have used many books of this type in my literacy classes of young learners. We know that these two practices go hand in hand and what better way to tackle both than with this type of format. Perhaps texts like these will inspire children to write a 'real' letter and experience the excitement of something addressed just to them in a 'real' mailbox someday! Thanks so much for this post!!

Reply
Laurie Bouck
3/23/2016 12:45:16 pm

Oh my goodness, Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type is one of my all-time favourites!! lol

Reply
Jennifer Cole Judd link
3/23/2016 03:01:29 pm

Love Click Clack Moo and Dear Mrs. LaRue! This is a fun and challenging format--I am definitely inspired! And I love Here Comes Tooth Fairy Cat!, too--so looking forward to reading the rest of Cat's adventures! Thanks for a great list of suggestions, Deborah, and a great prize offering!

Reply
Lisa Rogers link
3/23/2016 08:45:28 pm

Thanks for highlighting the letter format for picture books and choosing such great mentor texts. Darcy Pattison's Oliver K. Woodman books are also good examples of this genre.

Reply
Lauren Kerstein link
3/23/2016 09:44:39 pm

This is such a fun and engaging format. Thanks for the mentor text recommendations.

Reply
L. Michelle Quraishi link
3/23/2016 10:17:35 pm

I've always loved Yours Truly, Goldilocks, by Alma Flor Ada.

Reply
Holly Samson Hall
3/24/2016 10:41:08 am

This is such a wonderful, underutilized format. My kids received Dear Tabby as a gift a few years ago, and it's one of our absolute favorites. Thank you for these recommendations. The Gardener was beautiful and moving.

Reply
Deborah Underwood
3/24/2016 12:34:29 pm

Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. I enjoyed researching this. Happy writing!

Reply
Claire Noland link
3/24/2016 04:02:42 pm

I really enjoy reading books written with correspondence. These are great choices for mentor texts - great stories and the letters are move the stoires forward.

Reply
Karen Bell
3/25/2016 11:59:37 am

Thank you for pointing out this wonderful format. I really enjoyed Dear Tabby. I am still smiling!

Reply
Valarie Giogas
3/25/2016 02:02:12 pm

This is a format I tried a while ago. You've encouraged me to try again.

Reply
Ashley Bankhead
3/25/2016 10:16:48 pm

Thank you for these examples of correspondence mentor texts.

Reply
Kristen Schroeder
3/26/2016 09:35:14 am

It's such a fun format. My CP has an awesome letter writing ms that I can't wait to see in print some day soon :) Thank you!

Reply
Sydney O'Neill
3/26/2016 12:46:32 pm

Thank you for these recommendations!

Reply
Kelly Rice Schmitt
3/26/2016 10:37:06 pm

Deborah, thank you for highlighting this tricky and less used format. What an opportunity for exploration and growth in these titles! Many were new to me, and it's fun to compare the use. I would also throw Drew Dewalt's (ill. By Oliver Jeffers) crayon books in here -- the day the crayons quit, and the day the crayons came home. These are a unique format with many various letters from different characters and mentions of other characters in the letters to reveal a sort of backstory. Thanks for getting us thinking differently!

Reply
Susie Sawyer link
3/27/2016 12:03:13 am

This looks tricky to me. I'd have to come up with a really unique idea! Thank you for highlighting this interesting format.

Reply
Myrna Foster
3/27/2016 02:33:51 am

Oooh, I have one of these. Thanks so much for these recommendations!

Reply
Lisa Williams
3/27/2016 05:56:08 pm

I just introduced some of my older students to epistolary novels this past week! I think with these suggestions it's time to introduce my younger students to these kinds of books. Thank you! We've read Click, Clack, Moo and the kids loved it. This is my first time reading The Gardener. (I teared up.) Wonderful suggestions! Thank you so much for your thoughtful book recommendations.

Reply
Lisa Morgan
3/28/2016 09:48:57 am

Thank you! A new way to think about writing. My mind is now clicking away about how to incorporate this idea.

Reply
Lynne Marie link
3/28/2016 10:04:21 am

Such fun recommendations! Thank you, Deborah!

Reply
Cindy Cornwall
3/28/2016 11:02:27 am

There were several in this batch I hadn't read before. Dear Tabby was great. Loved David Roberts illustrations. He really reminds me of Edward Gorey. Though I've read them before, I'll be re-reading The Gardener and Click, Clack Moo again. Thanks!

Reply
Angela De Groot
3/28/2016 12:27:32 pm

Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie is one of my favorite postcard-themed pbs. I loved The Gardener and Click, Clack, Moo, also.

Reply
Anita Banks
3/28/2016 03:05:52 pm

Thank you for the suggestions.

Reply
Gabrielle Schoeffield
3/28/2016 07:17:48 pm

I LOVE this style of writing! I hope I can somehow incorporate it into a picture book!

Reply
Dina Ticas
3/29/2016 09:34:22 am

I remember identifying so closely with "The Gardner" as an adult. It reminds me of my early years of teaching. I rather enjoy listening in on the character's thoughts and reactions to events.

Reply
Wendy Greenley
3/29/2016 04:44:48 pm

I have a friend who needs to see this post! I will forward the book titles to her. :) The picture book world is a big one.

Reply
Kristen Browning
3/29/2016 11:00:17 pm

Thanks for highlighting this fun style of PB. I hadn't read a couple of them and am still looking for MEERKAT MAIL. I liked THE GARDENER even more this time around. I'll have to give this format a try. Love your CAT books and INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA :)

Reply
Cheryl Kim
3/30/2016 12:18:13 pm

Thanks Deborah- those are great examples of a format I hadn't given much thought to until I read your post.

Reply
Janet Smart link
3/30/2016 05:16:03 pm

This is a good idea. In face, I used it in one of my PB manuscripts.

Reply
Helen Dening link
4/1/2016 06:05:56 pm

This is a fun style! Love your selection. Thank you!

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.