ReFoReMo Day 23: Laura Purdie Salas Values Layered Text and Minimal Word Counts

3/23/2016

These (mostly) young picture books cover big topics. They were especially helpful to me in thinking about sharing complex information in focused and poetic/lyrical ways, using layered text, and sharing maximum information in minimal word counts. They influenced my Can Be… books, If You Were the Moon (Millbrook, 2017), and If You Want to Knit Some Mittens (Boyds Mills, forthcoming).

Laura is giving a signed copy of one of her CAN BE...books--winner's choice!

To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on this post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

Laura Purdie Salas has written more than 125 books for kids, including the award-winning CAN BE… series and BOOKSPEAK! She coaches writers through Mentors for Rent and speaks at writing conferences around the country.

323 Comments

Karla Valenti

3/23/2016 05:11:17 am

You make a great point about these big topic PBs and how they can teach us about word-maximization and efficiency in writing. Thank you for sharing such beautiful texts!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:00:25 am

Thanks, Karla! Big ideas in very few words=SO hard!

Katelyn Aronson

3/23/2016 05:20:22 am

Thank you, Laura Purdie. Great recommendations. I'm really interested in learning from these titles how less can be more, if we wield the words wisely!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:01:09 am

Thanks, Katelyn. Saying a lot in a little is a really tough skill to master:>)

Rebecca Colby

3/23/2016 05:29:28 am

Sharing the maximum amount of information in the minimal amount of text is so challenging. Thanks for these recommendations, Laura! I'm really excited to read these titles.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:01:35 am

I hope you like them, Rebecca. I think they're lovely:>)

Tina Cho link

3/23/2016 05:31:18 am

I like layered text books, and I think they add a richness to the classroom so different leveled readers can enjoy them. And I like the lyrical quality of these books!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:02:24 am

Yes on the layers! HERE COME THE HUMPBACKS is another fav example of layered text...

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:07:30 am

Oops, HUMPBACKS is already there. There was another one that was a bit older than these that I wanted to include but couldn't. And now I can't remember it. Sigh:>(

MD Knabb

3/23/2016 05:41:54 am

These books are incredible mentor texts. Thanks, Laura

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:02:41 am

Thanks for reading, MD!

Martin Segal

3/23/2016 06:12:15 am

Thank you for sharing these wonderful mentor texts, Laura. I look forward to reading them!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:02:57 am

I hope you enjoy them!

carole calladine

3/23/2016 06:22:38 am

Thanks, Laura for these wonderful mentor texts for conveying incredible information in a condensed and lyrical way.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:03:25 am

Thanks, Carole. Happy writing!

Denise Engle

3/23/2016 06:27:33 am

Observing the layered effects in Feathers has truly impacted my writing.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:04:17 am

That book just blew my mind. I already loved layered text, but that book does SO much, and you would think it would feel like a frantic jumble. Some pbs that try to do too many things feel that way to me. But it all works beautifully in FEATHERS.

Kathy Halsey

3/23/2016 06:46:43 am

I love layered text for the opportunities it gives to both readers AND writers. Need to look at FEATHERS again. Thanks, Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:04:50 am

Great point, Kathy. Layered text gives us room to spread our wings a bit more inside a very brief text.

Mary Worley

3/23/2016 06:50:49 am

Thanks for the list. I'm trying to finish up a few WIPs before I delve into NF, but this makes it hard to wait.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:08:06 am

I love that, Mary. These books do make me want to start writing, immediately!

Terri DeGezelle link

3/23/2016 06:55:28 am

Good selection, Laura my grandkids love to listen to your can books read out loud. After a could of reads they are filling in the words as we go along.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:09:18 am

Hi, Terri--Aw, thanks! As a photographer, do you think about what to leave in your shot and what to leave out in a similar way to how you think about your pb texts?

Mona Pease

3/23/2016 07:02:32 am

Thanks for the wonderful mentor texts, Laura. I love reading and writing non fiction. You're an inspiration.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:10:13 am

Thank you, Mona! And aren't you brimming with new ideas and approaches to try after reading all these great books and posts this month? I am. Not enough hours in the day!

Donna Cangelosi link

3/23/2016 07:08:28 am

It can be challenging to add layers to picture books. Thank you for suggesting these titles, Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:11:51 am

Figuring out what can stand alone, what needs support; what is crucial, what is "extra"; those are big decisions. Enjoy the books!

Lisa Connors link

3/23/2016 07:09:58 am

Thanks for your insight Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:12:05 am

Thanks, Lisa--happy writing!

Nadine Gamble link

3/23/2016 07:21:27 am

And my list keeps growing....thank you!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:12:50 am

Hehe. I hear you. I have to use mine and my husband's library cards, because our library has a 50-book limit:>) And then there's finding the time to read--whew!

Sherri Jones Rivers link

3/23/2016 07:24:25 am

Waiting to get four of these, but I did read Weeds Find A Way. Thanks for the recommendations.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:13:10 am

I hope you enjoy all of them, Sherri!

Donna L Martin link

3/23/2016 07:25:09 am

Looking at these book selections and your own books made me realize a picture book CAN BE about anything! ;-)

Thanks Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:14:00 am

Teehee--so true, Donna! In fact, that's one of my favorite things about WEEDS FIND A WAY. Such a homely topic, and such an arresting, gorgeous book.

Lori gravley link

3/23/2016 07:25:35 am

Some of my very favorite non-fiction books (along with yours). I love the way these books open up a world for the readers to explore!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:15:40 am

Thank you, Lori:>) And, yes! I constantly have to remind myself that my pb I'm working on is opening the door. Kids will walk through if they're interested, and they'll learn even more. My job with a pb is to inspire some interest in a new topic, or to help them see an old topic in a familiar way. It's tempting to want to tell everything about a topic...but that never works. Sigh. I know. I've tried.

Val McCammon

3/23/2016 07:26:57 am

Great mentor texts for few words, which push us to cut, cut, cut for stronger results. Thanks Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:16:18 am

Thanks, Val. I do love really short pbs. They truly are like poetry in their condensation and impact:>)

Deborah Allmand

3/23/2016 07:30:23 am

Laura, great mentor texts for complex topics with a younger audience. Great post as well as a great prize, thanks.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:16:40 am

Thanks, Deborah! Happy writing:>)

lucky Jo Boscarino

3/23/2016 07:42:42 am

I like the layered text in Here Come the Humpbacks. Thanks, Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:17:14 am

That is SUCH a gorgeous book, both in words and art. I just love the way the layering is done in it.

Linda Chavez

3/23/2016 07:49:18 am

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions and mentor texts. Layered text is not something I've explored. This is good learning for me.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:17:41 am

Oooh, fun! It's always great to explore a new technique/concept. Happy reading!

Sara Gentry

3/23/2016 07:53:35 am

Thank you for the suggestions. I appreciate having texts that demonstrate "less is more" - especially in non-fiction.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:18:00 am

Thanks, Sara--happy reading and writing!

Sherry Howard link

3/23/2016 07:54:25 am

Just what I was looking for! Thanks so much! I love any books with lyrical language, and these are some great ones!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:18:21 am

Thanks, Sherry! Happy writing!

PatHaap

3/23/2016 07:57:41 am

Great suggestions, Laura. Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:18:36 am

Thank you, Pat--happy writing!

Manju Howard

3/23/2016 07:59:34 am

Thanks, Laura! Your books are wonderful mentor texts. A LEAF CAN BE . . . is perfect.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:19:31 am

Thank you, Manju--that is so kind of you to say:>) And that's how I feel about CASTLES, CAVES, AND HONEYCOMBS and AN ISLAND GROWS, two older mentor texts that led to A LEAF CAN BE...

Cathy Mealey

3/23/2016 08:03:04 am

Succinct, layered, lyrical. That's a tall order! Thanks for the inspiring titles.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:20:03 am

Yeah, we aren't expected to do much in pbs, are we? Ha! Hope you enjoy them:>)

Virginia Law Manning link

3/23/2016 08:19:59 am

My 12-year old son and I still read a picture book a night. We often select non-fiction. I look forward to reading your selections and will pay special attention to the language. Thank you!!!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:21:48 am

That is SO awesome, Virginia. When I taught 8th-grade, I loved reading aloud to the kids, and they loved it. And even as an adult, I love picture books (even if I was not trying to write them, I mean). They are an art form, and many, many of them are great for well beyond the preschool audience. Hooray for you and your son!

Virginia Law Manning link

3/25/2016 11:37:44 am

Thank you, Laura! One time my son said he was too old and we should stop (Pretty sure he was worried what other children would say if they found out). I started crying or at least got real tears in my eyes. So now sometimes he'll say he's doing it for me even though he's too old. I think I gave him the excuse to just go with the flow!

Traci Bold link

3/23/2016 08:25:34 am

The mentor texts you chose are all succinct yet packed with information like the books of yours I have read. Great post to give us more options in our writing. Thank you Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:24:06 am

Thanks, Traci! Happy writing:>)

Melissa Stoller link

3/23/2016 08:26:05 am

Thank you, Laura! I am working on a MS and trying to achieve lyrical and layered text so this was good timing!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:24:30 am

Good luck, Melissa--when you hit the right balance, it will be amazing:>)

Chana Stiefel link

3/23/2016 08:29:34 am

Love your selections...and your books! Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:24:42 am

Thank you, Chana:>)

Christine Rodenbour

3/23/2016 08:31:36 am

More than 125 books for kids? Oh my word, that's an accomplishment. Can't wait to dive into these mentor texts. Thank you.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:25:56 am

Many were written in sets of 4 or so, on assignment. So, it IS a lot of books, but lots of the ideas came from the publishers themselves:>) Still, thank you, Christine! And enjoy these wonderful books--I hope they inspire you.

Laura Renauld

3/23/2016 08:32:16 am

Minimal text NF books make for rich mentor texts. Thanks for sharing!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:26:43 am

Rich is a great way to describe these titles, Laura. They have such depth to them. Happy reading!

joanne sher link

3/23/2016 08:39:54 am

These are AMAZING. The sparseness of the words, the depth of the information. Wow. Thanks so much!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:27:13 am

I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Joanne! Happy writing!

Michele Manning

3/23/2016 08:52:38 am

I'm looking forward to reading these today and I'm hoping it will help me with my own work. Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:28:25 am

I hope you enjoy them, Michele. It's so interesting reading books different people recommend for different reasons. A few days, I have loved just about every book. Most days, I have loved one or two, liked most, and disliked one. But I learn something from every book, which is great!

Vicki Reinhardt

3/23/2016 08:55:04 am

I'd not thought about layering text before now... Thank you for the great post!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:29:15 am

It's a great thing to play with in nf, Vicki. Actually, more and more fiction pbs use it, too, with speech or thought bubbles, text on signs in the art, etc. That's a kind of layering, too. Enjoy the books!

Beverly Marsh

3/23/2016 08:56:13 am

Your recommendations are new to me. I'm excited to read them. Thanks, Laura

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:29:31 am

I hope you like them, Beverly. Happy reading!

Amy Murrell

3/23/2016 08:57:20 am

Thanks, Laura for these great suggestions. -Amy

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:29:46 am

Thanks, Amy. Happy writing!

Andrea Mack link

3/23/2016 09:00:35 am

I'm curious to go out and get these now and study the layers!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:30:03 am

Do it:>) Happy reading and writing!

Lori Dubbin

3/23/2016 09:00:59 am

Words and layers find a way...after many revisions :) Thanks for these excellent mentor texts that help us find that way.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:30:35 am

Isn't that the truth! Layers take a lot of thought and revision:>) Happy writing!

Mary Boehmer

3/23/2016 09:22:02 am

Thank you for sharing with us! I'm very interested in reading "between the layers"! Happy Reading!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:17:58 pm

I hope you enjoy the books, Mary!

Rosie Pova

3/23/2016 09:24:15 am

It's a challenge worth spending time on. Thanks for sharing.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:18:17 pm

It is! Happy writing!

Linda Thomas

3/23/2016 09:25:39 am

Laura, I love your Can Be books! So beautiful. Thank you for sharing your mentor texts. I'm working on a nonfiction draft now, so these will be very helpful.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:18:57 pm

Thank you so much, Linda! Best of luck with your work in progress!

Stephanie Gray

3/23/2016 09:37:03 am

Again I have learned so much from NF picture books, both on the art and craft of writing them and on their subjects themselves. Thank you for these great recommendations.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:20:52 pm

I have too, Stephanie:>) It's wonderful to have beautiful books to study!

Patricia Nozell

3/23/2016 09:39:32 am

Minimal word count + maximum impact = a winning combination. I look forward to reading these books. Thank you!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:21:08 pm

I hope you enjoy them, Patricia!

Sheri Radovich

3/23/2016 09:48:16 am

These books are opening my eyes to new ways to write picture books with science facts and non-fiction. I never thought to go look for these as mentor texts. Thank you.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:21:41 pm

I love hearing that! Books shared on other days have done the same for me:>)

Sheri Radovich

3/23/2016 09:55:23 am

What is different about sending in a non-fiction manuscript proposal?

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:22:38 pm

For picture books, even nonfiction ones, 99% of publishers require the complete manuscript, Sheri, so there's no proposal.

Christie Allred link

3/23/2016 09:55:50 am

I love the cover of A Leaf Can Be. Nice post :)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:23:27 pm

Thanks, Christie. Violeta did such amazing art for the Can Be... books. I feel incredibly lucky that my editor and publisher chose her:>)

Nancy Rimar

3/23/2016 09:56:23 am

Great recommendations. I really need to apply less can be more for some of my manuscripts.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:23:44 pm

Thanks, Nancy. And (hehe) don't we all!

Sharon Putnam

3/23/2016 09:56:50 am

Thank you Laura for showing us wonderful examples of how to use layered text in picture books. Layered text is not something that I've thought about before. I love reading and writing non-fiction and have 4 manuscripts that I will revise keeping layered text in mind

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:27:16 pm

Have fun with your revisions, Sharon. It's awesome to try new techniques/formats. Sometimes it opens up the picture book ms in a whole new way!

Robin Currre link

3/23/2016 09:59:19 am

I have just started writing on more serious topics - homelessness, divorce - and my word count has dropped drastically both for illustration and opening for the kids to respond. Wow! Thanks for the reinforcement.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:28:38 pm

Sometimes, the tougher the topic, the shorter the text that works. As you said, giving room for kids to collaborate with the book, to bring their own experiences, is so important! Best of luck writing on these important issues, Robin.

Janie Reinart

3/23/2016 10:12:48 am

Laura, so excited to see nonfiction books recommended. Love your stories!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:28:56 pm

Thank you, Janie! Happy writing:>)

Tanya Konerman link

3/23/2016 10:12:52 am

Some great choices here, and I've only read two of them. I'm really interested in studying these for layering techniques. Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:29:37 pm

Thanks, Tanya--I hope you enjoy the rest of them. It's great to study from the masters:>)

AJ Irving link

3/23/2016 10:16:27 am

Great mentor texts! Thank you, Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:29:52 pm

Glad you enjoyed them, AJ. Happy writing!

Alan Elliott link

3/23/2016 10:16:50 am

Thanks... getting a lot into a minimal word count is a challenge, but these examples provide inspiration for how it can be done.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:30:17 pm

So glad you found them inspirational, Alan. Happy writing!

Rachel Hamby link

3/23/2016 10:19:31 am

Thanks, Laurie! Love learning from your nonfiction books too.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:30:30 pm

Thanks, Rachel! I appreciate that:>)

Heather Pierce Stigall link

3/23/2016 10:22:07 am

I have really enjoyed your Can Be books and I'm looking forward to reading your recommendations. Thanks for the suggestions!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:30:57 pm

Thank you, Heather! I hope you get something out of these books--I sure did:>)

Gabrielle Snyder link

3/23/2016 10:22:09 am

Thanks, Laura, for these awesome mentor texts!

Sue Poduska

3/23/2016 10:24:39 am

So cool. You continue to amaze me, Laura.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:31:23 pm

You are too kind--thanks, Sue!

Mary Jo Wagner

3/23/2016 10:27:33 am

Big concepts in Few words –– Massively difficult. So glad others have gone before me and can show me it IS possible!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:31:51 pm

Isn't that the truth! I gain so much from other writers' beautiful works...

Shelley Kinder

3/23/2016 10:28:20 am

Can't wait to dive into your book recommendations!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:33:12 pm

I hope you enjoy them, Shelley!

Carol Nelson

3/23/2016 10:33:17 am

Thanks for the great nonfiction mentor text. They are just what I needed!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:33:27 pm

Excellent! Happy writing, Carol:>)

Susan Zonca

3/23/2016 10:35:59 am

THE best way to learn? Picture books! A new favorite? FEATHERS, NOT JUST FOR FLYING.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:33:59 pm

Isn't that one amazing. SO much tucked in there...

Sadee Schilling

3/23/2016 10:43:22 am

Thanks, Laura! Maximum information in a minimal word count. That's so hard to do! You've done it so well in your books, and I'm interested to read the texts that you say mentored you in this skill.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:35:17 pm

Thank you, Sadee. And these two were too old to include in my list, but CASTLES, CAVES, AND HONEYCOMBS and AN ISLAND GROWS were enormously formative for my Can Be... books. Those are both in rhyme, but you can ignore the rhyme, too, and just marvel at the way they covered a lot in very, very low word counts.

Meena

3/23/2016 10:45:04 am

That's very true. Picture books are great way to shear complex material. Thanks for the selections.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:35:34 pm

I hope you like them, Meena. Happy writing!

Angela Turner

3/23/2016 10:45:18 am

Love, love, love the mentor texts for today. I would love, love, love to win one of your Can Be books. I have only read A Leaf Can Be and it was lovely.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:36:11 pm

Thanks, Angela. I'm so happy you liked them--I always feel someone is a kindred spirit if they love the same books I do:>) Thanks for the kind words!

Sue Heavenrich

3/23/2016 10:49:38 am

They're all good examples - and definitely Chin uses the illustrations to help show some of that complex information. Plus back matter! (which I love)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:37:10 pm

So true, Sue! Pbs are like a complex engineering project (that looks really simple and beautiful). Every aspect serves an important function, and all the pieces have to work together seamlessly.

Juliana Lee link

3/23/2016 10:50:00 am

Laura, I LOVE your books! I think Water Can Be might be my favorite! Love the word play and perfect blend of lyric and facts.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:37:47 pm

Thanks, Juliana:>) I think WATER has ended up being my favorite, too. (Shh! don't tell ROCK or LEAF!)

Heidi Yates

3/23/2016 10:50:34 am

Thank you for sharing these amazing books with layered text Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:38:10 pm

Happy writing, Heidi!

Joy Main

3/23/2016 10:52:59 am

Thank you for these mentor texts. I hadn't thought about the virtues of layered text before. Look forward to studying them.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:38:30 pm

I hope you enjoy them, Joy!

Linda Schueler

3/23/2016 10:54:14 am

Cool! I look forward to reading these books and sifting through the layers.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:39:09 pm

I hope you enjoy them, Linda!

debra daugherty

3/23/2016 11:01:53 am

Great selection of big topics books. Thanks for sharing your mentor texts.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:39:27 pm

You're welcome, Debra! Happy writing:>)

Dee Leone link

3/23/2016 11:06:16 am

Thanks you for the mentor texts. These are especially great for those writing nonfiction.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:39:52 pm

Thanks, Dee! Happy writing:>)

Linda Hofke

3/23/2016 11:31:53 am

thanks for the book recommendations. The only one I've read so far is Feathers, Not Just for Flying (and I love that one). I can't wait to go get the others and read them.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:42:26 pm

Isn't FEATHERS awesome? I hope you enjoy the others, Linda!

Suzanne Poulter Harris

3/23/2016 11:34:24 am

These mentor texts are exactly what I'm looking for as I begin my journey into non-fiction. Thank you!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:42:57 pm

Excellent! I hope you find lots of other terrific guides for your journey, too:>)

Marlene Rohr link

3/23/2016 11:36:24 am

Thanks Laura; these are great mentor texts! I also enjoyed Water Can Be and the lovely rhyming text scheme in that book.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:43:35 pm

Thanks so much, Marlene! Glad you enjoyed these mentor texts, too. Happy writing:>)

Marlene Rohr

3/23/2016 10:29:39 pm

Thanks for taking the time to reply to each comment!

Therese Nagi

3/23/2016 11:38:49 am

Laura you have provided great mentor texts. I have enjoyed your books Water Can Be and A Rock can be, they are lyrical layered mentor texts for me.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:44:04 pm

Thank you, Therese. I really appreciate your kind words:>) Happy writing!

Bev Baird

3/23/2016 11:44:13 am

Suxh a wonderful kist of mentor tests. Can't wait to read them all, as well as yours. Thanks for the post.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:44:27 pm

Thanks, Bev--I hope you enjoy them all! Happy reading:>)

Marianne Kuzujanakis link

3/23/2016 11:47:13 am

Thank you, Laura! You've inspired me to work harder in my quest for layered lyrical writing.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:45:11 pm

Aw, thanks, Marianne! Picture books demand our very best. They're a tough task master;>) Happy writing!

Sandra Jenkins

3/23/2016 11:51:44 am

Great examples of complex ideas with few words. So hard to do! I really l like A Rock Can Be. Thanks, Laura

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:45:34 pm

Thank you, Sandra! Glad you enjoyed the examples, too:>)

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/23/2016 11:58:32 am

Thank you, Laura, this list is just what I need. I am writing nonfiction picture books with a goal of economizing words while writing in a lyrical tone, and boy has it been a pain in the posterior. Hope these will help me. :)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:46:21 pm

Heehee:>) It's hard to do, isn't it, Rita? (Or Rita Lorraine?) I hope these spark some new things to try for you!

Karen Brady link

3/23/2016 11:58:36 am

Thank you, Laura! So far I've only been able to read Gravity, but it was a great example of the effective use of limited word count. I was impressed by how well Jason Chin explained such a complex topic as gravity in so few words!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:47:11 pm

Glad you liked it, Karen! It got knocked a little in Horn Book, but I think it's a fabulous intro to such a big, abstract topic. The other books are more concrete. Hope you like them, too!

Sue Ganz-Schmitt link

3/23/2016 11:59:21 am

These are great mentor texts. I was so especially taken by Eight Days Gone - poetic, sparse, and impactful! Can't wait to read your books Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:47:52 pm

Thanks, Sue! Isn't is amazing what she accomplished in that book? I feel like it's a little bit of magic, frankly. Happy reading!

Charlotte Dixon

3/23/2016 11:59:49 am

Thank you, Laura, for sharing these books showing layered text and minimum words. Love your books!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:48:16 pm

Thanks, Charlotte--that's so kind of you! Happy writing:>)

Debbie McCue

3/23/2016 12:01:49 pm

Thank-you, Laura, great post! I've added these books to my list and will be reviewing some today. I'm also looking forward to reading your "can be..." books. A LEAF CAN BE title and cover are enticing. I love it already!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:48:59 pm

Thanks, Debbie. I hope you enjoy the mentor texts and the Can Be... books. Violeta created amazing art for them--I was lucky to be paired up with her!

maria gianferrari link

3/23/2016 12:05:38 pm

I so agree! And WEEDS FIND A WAY is one of my new favorite PBs--love it. It's so lyrical and beautiful. I've been a fan of April Pulley Sayre's work for a very lone time & Humpbacks is wonderful. Raindrops Roll is a great example of very spare text too. Thanks, Laura :).

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:52:29 pm

Yes! WEEDS is kind of like Cinderella for weeds. Picture books can be a fairy godmother for unpopular topics:>) April is amazing, also. Yes, her RAINDROPS ROLL is fabulous! Have you read THE STARS BENEATH YOUR BED (about dust)? It's older, and probably not quite as lyrical as her more recent work, but it's beautiful. The wonder in it, and the way she looks at something so ordinary and reveals its amazingness. Sigh. It was one of the first nf pbs, I believe, that made me want to write nf. I need to go reread it. It's been a few years! Thanks for making me remember that, Maria!

Keila Dawson link

3/23/2016 12:11:41 pm

"Sharing complex information in focused and poetic/lyrical ways, using layered text, and sharing maximum information in minimal word counts." shows Laura is lyrical even in her description of her writing!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:52:48 pm

Thanks, Keila:>)

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/23/2016 12:14:02 pm

"complex information in focused and...lyrical ways"--what a great description of nonfiction picture book writing. Focus seems especially important and sometimes under-noticed as we talk about these great books.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:53:52 pm

You're absolutely right, Annette. Sometimes getting down to that necessary level of focus is painful, but it almost always makes for a much stronger (and more marketable) manuscript. Happy writing!

Karen Condit

3/23/2016 12:24:50 pm

Thanks for these! It does make sense that poetry/lyrical writing is an avenue of minimal text to big content. It's along the lines of "a picture is worth a thousand words!" Enjoyed Eight Days Gone (new to me). Also love your books, Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 08:55:42 pm

Thanks, Karen! Picture books really are often like poetry--even the ones that aren't particular lyrical benefit from a laser focus and keeping only the words that are absolutely essential to say what you want to say. EIGHT DAYS GONE just makes me swoon:>)

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/23/2016 12:31:46 pm

Minimizing words is a challenge for me. Thanks for these great examples (especially 'Eight Days Gone) to inspire me, Laura! I'm envious of anyone who can write poetry, and in particular, in context of science!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 09:11:27 pm

Well, Jarm, it's a challenge to pretty much all of us, I think. I love poetry and science together...happy writing!

Laurie Bouck

3/23/2016 12:41:41 pm

Thank you for sharing! :)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:11:45 pm

You're welcome, Laurie--happy writing!

Darlene Koppel link

3/23/2016 12:50:20 pm

What a fantastic Goal - Big Topics with Few Words. Thanks so much.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:13:09 pm

Sure thing, Darlene--happy writing!

Lynn Davidson link

3/23/2016 12:53:47 pm

Thank you, Laura, for sharing about these books, three of which I've read so far. To mention one - it's impressive how Gravity is so succinct so that with the illustrations it easily teaches about gravity in a fun way. I like books for children that teach and inform in a way that's not teachy.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:14:40 pm

Great observation, Lynn. And most traditional commercial publishers (i.e., national "bookstore book" publishers) don't want preachy/teachy, either. They want revealing, inspiring, thought-provoking, but not teachy. Happy writing!

Cecilia McCarthy

3/23/2016 12:55:50 pm

Conveying so much with so little - quite a task but so well executed in these books. Thanks Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:15:26 pm

So glad you enjoyed them, Cecilia!

JEN link

3/23/2016 12:58:01 pm

Layered text is a great way to cut the word count without losing the richness of the picture book. I've got a manuscript that needs layered text, so these recommendations are perfect!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:15:52 pm

Hooray for perfect timing:>) Happy writing, Jen!

Brenda Huante

3/23/2016 12:59:06 pm

Thank you for your post, Laura, and your list of mentor texts. I love your CAN BE... books.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:17:08 pm

Thanks, Brenda:>) I think you'll love these other wonderful books, too--happy writing!

Tracey Brown

3/23/2016 01:01:22 pm

Great selections, thank you! In awe of authors who can convey maximum info in minimal word count. A challenge I'm hoping to master.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/23/2016 10:17:36 pm

Thanks, Tracey. It is a skill I'm still honing, believe me! Happy writing:>)

Linda Baie link

3/23/2016 01:17:18 pm

Laura, I have all your books, so no need to put me in the drawing, but I love the books you've shared that influenced you. I know most, love Feather, Not Just for Flying, will look for Here Come The Humpbacks! Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:31:30 am

You are so kind, Linda--Yes, isn't Feathers wonderful? Here's a post I wrote about April's lovely book: http://laurasalas.com/nonfiction-books-for-kids/nm-humpbacks/ Happy writing, Linda!

DeLeon

3/23/2016 01:49:50 pm

Laura, I just wanted to say that I appreciate your books like you have no idea. (Now I know, what mentor texts you use!! Yay!) I was just just recently asked about my three favorite books and yours came to mind as my number 1 choice. This is exactly how I want to write: creative non-fiction, beatiful written with minimum word count, and amazing illustrations! You are my inspiration. Thank you so much!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:33:37 am

Wow. Thank you so much, DeLeon. That makes my day:>) I wish you the best of luck in writing your own beautiful books (that maybe will be mentor texts for other writers!). CASTLES, CAVES, AND HONEYCOMBS and AN ISLAND GROWS were two of my original mentor texts for A LEAF CAN BE... Thanks again!

Trine

3/23/2016 02:01:56 pm

I participated in Cindy Jenson-Elliott's workshop at a SCBWI conference. Weeds Find a Way was my first realization that what I had "in me," the desire to write sharing complex information in focused and poetic/lyrical ways, was actually viable. It was so freeing!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:34:26 am

Trine, isn't it amazing when something like that comes into focus and you realize exactly what you want to do?! Love that. Thanks for sharing:>)

Ellen Leventhal

3/23/2016 02:14:59 pm

Great post! By the way, I just checked out A Rock Can Be for a group of kids who are writing their own non-fiction texts. Thanks!!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:35:42 am

How lovely, Ellen--thanks! I have a Can Be... project on my site for kids who want to write a similar book on a nf topic of their choice (without the rhyme): http://laurasalas.com/writers-in-the-schools/can-be/

Happy writing!

Megan Taraszkiewicz

3/23/2016 03:08:59 pm

Thank you for this post! Great selections and my 4 year old especially loved Weeds Find a Way.

http://laurasalas.com/writers-in-the-schools/can-be/

3/24/2016 06:36:50 am

Thanks, Megan--I'm not surprised--don't 4 year olds love weeds? Ah, memories of dandelion bouquets are flooding my mind. And that is just such a lovely book...

Elizabeth Duncan link

3/23/2016 03:11:53 pm

Todays choices showed yet another side of the picture book. I loved the multilayered texts and the depth that the authors and illustrators were able to go to despite using fewer words. Thanks, once again!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:37:18 am

So glad you enjoyed the books, Elizabeth!

Monique Wakefield

3/23/2016 03:17:37 pm

Thank Laura for that great collection of mentor text.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:37:45 am

You're welcome, Monique--happy writing!

Anita Jones link

3/23/2016 03:43:06 pm

I plan on really looking at your suggested books with more awareness now...I'm trying to wrap my head around a minimal word count since when I started writing years ago, suggested wc was 1500-2000 words. It's definately, a new world!...but learning that the possibility of getting the same message across in 500 words or less is exciting! Thanks Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:39:54 am

Exactly, Anita--same overall goal, but a completely different way of meeting it. I really love today's short picture books. Happy writing!

Janet Smart link

3/23/2016 03:47:48 pm

Thanks, Laura! Wow, 125 books! You are a very prolific writer.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:41:04 am

Hehe--well, several short series in that number. My trade picture books (the Can Be... ones, BookSpeak, Stampede--none of those came as fast as the series kind written for educational publishers, that's for sure!). Happy writing, Janet!

Bethany Roberts link

3/23/2016 04:00:29 pm

Thanks for the excellent examples. I love lyrical non-fiction!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:41:22 am

You're welcome, Bethany. Happy writing!

Judy Cooper link

3/23/2016 04:01:12 pm

Laura - Thanks for introducing me to ReFoReMo. Glad you are one of the presenters. You rock! :) Looking forward to taking your new video course, Picture Book Fixes - A
at https://mentorsforrent.wordpress.com/classes/

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:41:53 am

Thanks for the shoutout, Judy! Happy to see you here. Isn't this an amazing monthlong intensive?

Mary Warth

3/23/2016 04:10:35 pm

Thanks! I appreciate another stack of books that are new to me.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:42:08 am

I hope you enjoy them, Mary!

Ann Magee

3/23/2016 04:14:21 pm

Thanks, Laura, for these mentor texts. I've been meaning to get my hands on Here Come the Humpbacks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:42:29 am

One of my favs--worth seeking out. Happy writing, Ann!

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/23/2016 04:48:14 pm

A beautiful group of books! This is definitely a type of PB that I need to learn more about as I tend to write for the older end of the PB spectrum.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:43:34 am

Thanks, Jilianne! Yep, these layered texts often work so nicely, with parts to be accessible for preschool age but other parts to give more info to older readers.

Susan Deo

3/23/2016 05:18:28 pm

Thanks, Laura for this great list of mentor picture books to study! I'm really looking forward to inspiration and education...

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:51:14 am

Happy reading, Susan!

Jess Townes link

3/23/2016 05:22:33 pm

I just loved Weeds Find a Way! I'm a (so so great) gardener and it spoke straight to my heart. The layout of the minimal text with the images was so impactful. Thank you for sharing this!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 06:51:58 am

Well, I'm a terrible gardener (just killed an air plant), so you're way ahead of me. Love the way you've clearly thought about this book. Happy writing, Jess!

sue twiggs

3/23/2016 05:41:26 pm

Laura,
thanks for this list of layered PB's. I enjoyed A Rock Can Be... and will look for others in the series. I enjoyed the beauty of Weed Can find a Way. As a gardener, I might look at someone else's weeds in an entirely different light.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 07:13:54 am

Hehe--"someone else's weeds." Love that! As a gardener, you pry don't have any weeds. I have plenty to share! Thanks for the kind words, and I hope you enjoy the other books, Sue!

Jena Benton

3/23/2016 06:06:13 pm

Thank you for sharing! This is an excellent topic.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 07:14:07 am

Thanks, Jena--happy writing!

Melanie Ellsworth

3/23/2016 06:18:06 pm

Eight Days Gone accomplishes so much - fun rhyme, specific story, general space info - all with so few words. An incredible mentor text, as are the others you listed. Laura, I enjoy following your blog and am excited about your new books coming out!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 07:14:40 am

Thanks so much, Melanie! I appreciate that. Yep, EIGHT DAYS GONE is a masterpiece, to me. Happy writing!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/23/2016 06:25:50 pm

Eight Days Gone, a NF text very far from my current F MS, proved to be a mentor text to me in regards to rhythm and structure. My current WIP is similar in that I have words forming 'incomplete' sentences. They are fun structured rhythmic text lines but are not punctuated and formatted in ways they should typically/correctly be. I wonder if there is specific protocol in this?...in sentences that are not complete thoughts and rather words of texts to continue the rhythmic story....

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 07:18:21 am

Great question, Melissa. No, no one specific way to do it. Some editors prefer prose punctuation in verse, but for a poetic picture book, whether rhyming or not, there are a wide array of approaches. Some use ..., some use no punctuation, some have caps start each new phrase, some don't. As far as placement, the art director and editor decide that, but your manuscript can be non-traditional, too, placing the words on the page like a poem, with the spacing you like, the type sizes varying for emphasis, etc. If it's very short, like 100 words or less, you have a lot more leeway to design it on the page in unconventional ways. Good luck with your writing!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/24/2016 12:44:21 pm

Laura, thank you so much for responding! This was helpful :)

Maria Marshall

3/23/2016 06:35:34 pm

Laura, Thank you for the mentor texts on using layered text and sharing maximum information. I needed these mentors for a new MS I am working on.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:39:40 am

Yay for good timing, Maria! Happy writing:>)

Julie Burchstead

3/23/2016 06:55:04 pm

Ok I am going to stick my neck out here and be the only person who seems to not know the term layered text. Help! I know I will get more out of looking at this collection with that understanding. I will add it to y collection of writer terms like creative Non-fiction, that don't always line up with huge collection of genre terms from teaching. :-).

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:41:44 am

Hooray for sticking your neck out and asking, Julie! Lenne gave an excellent explanation:>) And you're right--the labels/genres used by educators often don't match the ones used by writers/publishers.Everyone has their lingo:>) Happy writing!

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/23/2016 07:45:38 pm

Love these books!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:42:31 am

Thanks, Kristi--happy writing!

Lenne' Musarra

3/23/2016 08:00:41 pm

Layered text refers to the fact that there is the primary text and supplemental text to enhance the understanding of the topic. The supplemental text can be in bubbles, side notes, or in the back (back matter) and can be read if the children are interested and/or can tolerate the reading of it or the adult can read the supplemental text ahead of time and enhance group discussion. Thank you for the mentor texts and post, Laura. I love these deeply distilled books that touch both the heart and mind and I'm eager to read more of your books.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:43:37 am

Thanks for that awesome definition for Julie:>) Touching both the heart and mind--an excellent description of what many of today's nf pbs aim to do.Happy writing!

Ali Bovis

3/23/2016 08:01:23 pm

Thanks so much for the great post and all the wonderful books!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:44:12 am

You're welcome, Ali--happy writing!

Natalie Rompella link

3/23/2016 08:21:27 pm

I had the pleasure of helping edit Eight Days Gone way back when. Wonderful book. And the rhyme in that is awesome! Great choices!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:44:58 am

Natalie, huge applause to you! It's just one of the most stunning rhyming nf pbs around. I adore it!

Lisa Rogers link

3/23/2016 08:38:03 pm

Just recommended A Leaf Can Be... to a fellow writer for inspiration with her project! I love, love, love lyrical nonfiction and the way minimal text entices the reader to explore more about the topic. Thanks for highlighting these great titles.

Jane Buttery link

3/23/2016 08:46:46 pm

I really enjoyed seeing all the book titles you have found valuable. I enjoyed your book A Rock is because of the clever way you combines a small feature with a large building for example. Your book could extend the child's own thinking and I can see using that pattern to develop children's own stories. April Pulley Sayre's books are huge in scope but so detailed. I read( or rather saw and took in) Raindrops Roll. Amazing closeups reveal patience. So much to talk about.
Thanks for all your suggestions. Now back to the library!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:48:18 am

Thanks, Jane--I'm honored:>) April's books are amazing. Oh, btw, I have a lesson plan on writing can be books (nonrhyming ones) in the classroom. It's on my website under nonfiction. I LOVE seeing the can be books that kids write! These are great observations--happy writing!

Angie Quantrell

3/23/2016 09:09:42 pm

I love Laura's books! Thanks for sharing some great titles to help us see NF books and ways to write them. :)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:49:08 am

Thank you, Angie--happy writing!

Natalie Lynn Tanner

3/23/2016 09:35:29 pm

Laura: I TRULY appreciate you addressing this important topic! Being verbose, it helps to see such WONDERFUL examples illustrating that we don't have to use a lot of words to convey meaning and to tell a wonderful story. I LOVE the idea of being able to take a complex subject and make it not only more accessible to children, but enjoyable as well. THANK YOU for the inspiration to watch my word length!!!!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:51:13 am

Thanks, Natalie--I love the enthusiasm that comes shining through in your comment. Happy writing!

Lauren Kerstein link

3/23/2016 09:48:26 pm

Thank you for highlighting these mentor texts that tackle big topics with sparse words. It is important to make concepts meaningful to children.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:52:26 am

So true. Happy writing, Lauren!

Emily Johnsen

3/23/2016 09:57:25 pm

Thank you so much, Laura, this is a great post!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:03:28 am

Thank you, Emily! Happy writing:>)

Kimberly Marcus link

3/23/2016 09:57:27 pm

Thank you for your post and mentor text choices! They definitely show how to make those big ideas more accessible. And also, if one has a big idea, don't shy away from it.
Thanks again!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:03:04 am

I'm amazed at some of the big topics pbs are tackling in very kid-friendly ways. Love it! Happy writing, Kimberly!

Kimberly Marcus link

3/26/2016 06:23:15 pm

Thank you!! You too!!

Celeste Gerard

3/23/2016 10:07:49 pm

Thank you for introducing me to these titles and this style of writing.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:02:13 am

My pleasure, Celeste. I hope you enjoy them!

Shelley Marshall

3/23/2016 10:41:24 pm

I am inspired to see how my current works can be expressed and conveyed with your suggestions in mind.
Thank you.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:01:44 am

Good luck with your projects, Shelley!

Pamela Courtney

3/23/2016 10:58:25 pm

Such good mentor text recs. Thank you so much. It is my desire to learn to write maximum ideas with limited words. Good advice

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:01:01 am

Happy writing, Pamela!

Anna Forrester link

3/23/2016 11:00:59 pm

few words, good idea. ;)

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:00:32 am

Exactly. :D

Noelle McBride

3/23/2016 11:03:47 pm

Thank you! I enjoyed looking critically at these mentor texts.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 09:00:08 am

I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Noelle!

Joana Pastro

3/23/2016 11:07:48 pm

What a great list of mentor texts. I loved how efficient Gravity is at teaching the concept. Thanks!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:59:36 am

Me, too! Writing short is often a lot harder than writing long. Happy writing, Joana!

Carol Cole link

3/23/2016 11:34:51 pm

Laura, what great mentor texts. I enjoy non-fiction books, but have a hard time finding my voice for the stories. These were great examples of getting the facts across with a minimum amount of words, and at a level that young children will understand.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:58:51 am

I often struggle with getting the right voice for each project, Carol. A lot of thinking--and a lot of trial and error! Happy writing:>)

Amanda Sincavage

3/24/2016 12:06:04 am

Thanks Laura! I especially loved Eight Days Gone and Gravity. I have a whole new appreciation on nonfiction ever since hearing Cindy Jenson-Elliott speak and share great lyrical nonfiction.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:57:53 am

So many wonderful nf pbs coming out these past few years:>) I'd love to hear Cindy speak. Happy writing, Amanda!

Sharon Giltrow

3/24/2016 05:58:53 am

Thanks Laura for your great suggestion on mentor text.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:56:51 am

I hope you enjoy them, Sharon! Happy writing:>)

Mike Karg link

3/24/2016 06:36:23 am

Thanks, Laura!

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:56:25 am

Happy writing, Mike!

Kathy Cornell Berman

3/24/2016 08:24:56 am

Thanks Laura. I've only read two of these books. I'm anxious to read the rest. I love lyrical writing.

Laura Purdie Salas

3/24/2016 08:55:21 am

I hope you enjoy them all, Kathy! Happy writing:>)

Anne Appert link

3/24/2016 09:17:30 am

Thanks you for the suggestions! I can't wait to read them.

Holly Samson Hall

3/24/2016 10:43:33 am

Any recommendations from the author of A Rock Can Be are definitely worth my time. Thank you for sharing your insight!

L. Michelle Quraishi link

3/24/2016 11:59:10 am

I think the series by DIanna Hutts Aston that includes A Rock is Lively also conveys information in an extremely poetic way.

Suzy Leopold

3/24/2016 12:34:54 pm

These titles are all outstanding mentor texts about big concepts that use minimal words in a lyrical way. Thank you Laura. You and your writing are admired.

Claire Noland link

3/24/2016 03:53:46 pm

These texts show that nonfiction can be beautiful. I love your choices.

Cathy Breisacher

3/24/2016 05:12:06 pm

It's been so interesting reading why each person has selected their mentor texts. These five you selected are wonderful. I especially love Gravity.

Linda Kujawski link

3/24/2016 08:11:20 pm

Laura, thank you for these great suggestions! Writing non-fiction and keeping the word count down is a challenge. Love the idea of "focused and poetical/lyrical writing." 😊

Kathy Mazurowski

3/24/2016 08:37:26 pm

Weeds find a way is a favorite of mine. I am on to look up the others. Thanks!

Lotus Ivak link

3/24/2016 08:52:49 pm

Hi Laura, Thank you for the recommendations!

Sydney O'Neill

3/25/2016 12:20:16 am

Thank you for these recommendations, Laura. I agree with praise of Feathers and also enjoy the lyrical language in Weeds Find A Way.

Karen Bell

3/25/2016 12:05:17 pm

thank you for your post and for the mentor text recommendations.

Maria Johnson

3/25/2016 01:29:46 pm

Lenne did give a great definition of layered text, and Laura, this post is so illuminating. How would one show side notes in a ms. submission? Use italics? Just wondering as layered is the right solution to a PB biography I'm attempting. Also, Laura, I want to thank you for ALL your
information, including your recent blog reveal of how much ( or rather, how little) $ an author makes. You are awesome and so generous. Thank you.

Lynn Alpert link

3/25/2016 01:56:10 pm

I love your Can Be series and Bookspeak! – it's good to know what inspired those.

Valarie Giogas

3/25/2016 02:00:22 pm

Thank you for these recommendations. I look forward to studying them.

Lydia Lukidis link

3/25/2016 03:06:25 pm

I definitely find this task very challenging! Keeping fiction to a minimum word count is hard enough, but keeping a low word count while relaying information is even harder!!

Lauri Meyers

3/25/2016 09:10:57 pm

Thank you for sharing your mentor texts Laura!

Ashley Bankhead

3/25/2016 10:19:23 pm

Thank you!

Jennifer Cole Judd link

3/26/2016 10:23:19 am

Laura, I have been a huge fan of your work for a long time. Love your Can Be series! This is a big challenge, working in lyrical language and layers of information into spare text to really pack a story with meaning. You do it so well. It's a style I most admire! I can't wait to read your mentor texts!

Jill Jeffries

3/26/2016 02:06:35 pm

Thank you for your thoughtful words in teaching us to use thoughtful words! I will study your books as well as these mentor texts to pack as much meaning and layers into a concise package.

Leah Heilman Schanke

3/26/2016 11:16:24 pm

What wonderful mentor texts. I really enjoy Jason Chin's work and had the pleasure to see a presentation by him at Books of Wonder in NYC. I loved to experiment with shorter, lyrical mss. Thank you!

Sharon Giltrow

3/27/2016 01:24:48 am

Thank you Laura for sharing these PB that introduce children to complex topics but in a gentle way.

Myrna Foster

3/27/2016 02:29:21 am

I love your Can Be books! Thanks for the lovely recommendations!

Lisa Williams

3/27/2016 06:02:49 pm

Thank you for your post! It is so hard to find great books created for young children about big concepts. These books are so necessary! I love Gravity and it presents a fabulous opportunity to talk about and demonstrate gravity to my youngest students. These books look like they would be so easy to write but they are NOT! Thanks again.

Lisa Morgan

3/28/2016 09:52:13 am

Hi Laura! Thank you for these selections. Would you believe my library only had Weeds Find a Way, which I LOVED!!! (Science teacher/writer always looking for a book to use with a lesson.) I can't wait to get my hands on your books! Headed to another library to find them today.

Lynne Marie link

3/28/2016 10:08:35 am

Few words can be....so wonderful! Thank you, Laura!

Cindy Cornwall

3/28/2016 11:13:43 am

Laura, thanks for your selections. I may have to type out some of the PB's text to get the full gist of what a layered text means. Since I'm an artist, I get too distracted by the images to focus on the text. "Gravity" made sense to me, since the text was very minimal. I know there's an organizational pattern to the others (which were lovely...esp. Here Come the Humpbacks) but I'll need to type them out to understand.

Angela De Groot

3/28/2016 12:25:25 pm

Laura, thanks for pointing out how you used these mentor texts for your own pbs. I like that in the Author's Note in Feathers by Melissa Stewart, she shares her process and research approach.

Anita Banks

3/28/2016 03:02:34 pm

Thank you!

Gabrielle Schoeffield

3/28/2016 07:16:09 pm

Thanks for the mentor text suggestions....

Helen Dening link

3/29/2016 08:02:40 am

Engaging picture books that convey a wealth of information with low word count. My heart and mind have been deeply touched. Some day I hope to write a book with such appeal. Thank you!

Susie Sawyer link

3/29/2016 01:34:43 pm

I love layered text! These are great examples and will be really useful to me with on of my manuscripts in particular. Thank you!

Dina Ticas

3/29/2016 03:39:06 pm

I'm caught on the phrase "layered text". I am going to think through that some more and see how I can do that with some of my WIPs. Thank you for the selection. I've also checked out Jason Chin's Redwoods. I'm excited to see all he's put out.

Dina Ticas

3/29/2016 05:42:16 pm

The selection this one around was wonderful and quite jam packed with informative content. Done very well but wow; after the low word count books, this threw me for a loop. Loved "Eight Days Long". Such great use of verbs. Thank you.

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/29/2016 11:12:15 pm

I love nonfiction, and I especially love making it light and fun to read! Thank you for this post that inspires us to do that. I love A Rock Can Be and knowing that these influenced your process is very helpful. Clever nonfiction is tough and these provide us needed guides.

Kristen Browning

3/30/2016 11:51:58 am

Thanks for your post and for the new mentor texts to read. I love, love, love WEEDS FIND A WAY--so engaging, informative and beautifully written! I was surprised by GRAVITY and EIGHT DAYS GONE. Their covers made me expect much longer texts. I was pleasantly surprised by their simple language--perfect for younger readers. I also love the layers of text and the format of FEATHERS.

Cheryl Kim

3/30/2016 12:22:17 pm

Wow, these are great and challenging examples. Thank you, Laura!

Jaclyn Kruzie

3/30/2016 05:04:14 pm

word count is tricky. As a mommy reader I like short books (by bedtime I want a quick book and kids off to bed) as a writer I admit to be wordy. Thanks for the mentor text to help me :)

Ellen Leventhal

3/30/2016 06:00:47 pm

I shared this with my fifth graders today. Thanks!

ReFoReMo Day 23: Laura Purdie Salas Values Layered Text and Minimal Word Counts

Leave a Reply.

ReFoReMo

Archives

Categories