You are in for another double feature today. After reading and commenting on Paul’s post today, travel over to Carrie On… Together and visit Illustrators The Brothers Hilts. The Czajak/Hilts team just celebrated SEAVER THE WEAVER's book birthday, a mentor text you will definitely want to check out. (Plus, there is a giveaway!)
by Paul Czajak
If there is one thing that I have gleaned from the great picture books that I lean toward it's the idea of simplicity. Simplicity in the topic, the arc and sometimes the writing itself. For me I love when an author can take nothing and turn it into something. The ability to write about the simplest topic and create an engaging story truly shows talent and for me, it is something that I strive for. Here are 5 books that seem simple on the surface but because of how they are written they are much more then just a story line.
I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
by Paul Czajak
If there is one thing that I have gleaned from the great picture books that I lean toward it's the idea of simplicity. Simplicity in the topic, the arc and sometimes the writing itself. For me I love when an author can take nothing and turn it into something. The ability to write about the simplest topic and create an engaging story truly shows talent and for me, it is something that I strive for. Here are 5 books that seem simple on the surface but because of how they are written they are much more then just a story line.
I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
This story might be the gold standard when it comes to simple. A Bear lost his hat and he wants it back. This story works because of the way it ends, an ending I didn't see coming. The shock value makes the simplicity of this story shine.
Stuck - Oliver Jeffers
Stuck - Oliver Jeffers
I love this book. A boys kite is suck in a tree and he wants to get it back, let the insanity begin! This is a great example of how you can use the absurd to make a simple story sing.
The Dark - Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
The Dark - Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
A boy, who is afraid of the dark, has his night light go out. What makes this simple story great is the writing. It's much more complicated then other stories that I have read. Snicket's ability to create a spooky atmosphere using the dark as an anthropomorphic entity is fantastic. So just because the story is simple doesn't mean the writing has to be.
The Dot - Peter Reynolds
The Dot - Peter Reynolds
This story hits the simplicity level on two fronts. The first is the subject, a girl thinks she can't draw but then finds out art can be anything. The second is what she draws, a dot. When it comes to creating art there isn't anything much simpler then jabbing your pen on a piece of paper. But what makes this story great is how profound it is. A simple story line doesn't mean a stupid story line.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole - Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole - Mac Barnett
The title says it all, two boys dig a hole in hopes to find something special. What makes this great is the interaction a child will have with this story. My kids actually yelled when Sam and Dave stopped digging in a particular direction only to miss that special thing by one shovel full. Allowing the reader to know more then the characters invites participation even in a simple story.
When writing your story try to keep it simple, that way it becomes more relatable to your audience. Use your creativity, your writing prowess to make that simple story line great. That is what will make you a great writer, not what you write about but how you write it.
When writing your story try to keep it simple, that way it becomes more relatable to your audience. Use your creativity, your writing prowess to make that simple story line great. That is what will make you a great writer, not what you write about but how you write it.
 | Paul Czajak is the Authour of the award winning picture book series Monster&Me (Mighty Media). His newest title in the series Monster Needs A Party is to be released April 2015. Paul's first non-monster story, Seaver the Weaver (Mighty Media), released March 17. |
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