ReFoReMo Day 3: Janee Trasler Leaves Room for Illustrations

3/3/2016

By Janee Trasler

I love picture books that allow the illustrations to tell a part of the story that the text doesn’t. I think it invites our audience in and gives them a chance to more actively participate as “readers” instead of just listeners.

The illustrations can tell a different story from the text, they can allow the audience to see/know something the narrator doesn’t, they can be the punch line to a textual joke, or can even tell another, parallel, story. Any of these techniques can up the ante for the listening audience.

I think writers who also illustrate their own texts often have an easier time with this, because we know we’re going to capture that vision when it comes to the illustrations. But I have also seen books where the author does a terrific job of letting the illustrations talk. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the author hasn’t written that part of the story, he or she may have written it in an art note.

The recent examples listed in this post range from wordless books, where the whole story is told in the illustrations, to books where just a portion of the story is in the art rather than the text.

Flora and the Flamingo, by Molly Idle
Flora and the Penguin, by Molly Idle
Where’s Walrus? and Penguin?, by Stephen Savage
Who Done It?, by Olivier Tallac
Mine!, by Shutta Crum and Patrice Barton
Uh-Oh!, by Shutta Crum and Patrice Barton
Your Alien, by Tammi Sauer*
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, by Dan Santat
Shh! We Have a Plan, by Chris Haughton

*Tammi is fabulous at leaving room for illustrations.

Woah! Awesome examples, Janee! And folks, Janee sets a great example through her own work. CAVEMAN A B.C. STORY is one of my "go-to" books when I am studying interplay between text and illustration in sparse word counts.

Janee is giving away one copy of CAVEMAN A B.C. STORY at the conclusion of ReFoReMo! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Janee Trasler loves to make kids laugh. Whether she's writing and illustrating books, singing silly songs, or making puppets do their thing, nothing makes her happier than hearing that giggle! She is the author of the Chickies series for babies and toddlers from HarperCollins.

She lives in lovely Grapevine Texas with her sweetie-pie husband John, two guinea pigs, a pack of puppies and a big ol’ pile of puppets.

434 Comments

Ashley Bankhead

3/3/2016 01:22:26 am

Thanks for this post. These are great examples of books that leave room for the illustrations. It really is such an important part of picture book writing. The words only tell half of the story.

Janee Trasler link

3/3/2016 05:10:44 pm

It was amazing how many of these books I got to pull right off my very own "favorites" shelf.

Katelyn Aronson

3/3/2016 04:21:42 am

Thank you, Janee! Great examples. I think of the text as a full story in its own right, and the illustrations another full story. Every pb is like a double story. And why not? Pbs also have a double audience! Your book looks great ;)

Janee Trasler link

3/3/2016 05:08:59 pm

Thanks, Katelyn! I think of the text as a story in its own right as well.

Rebecca

3/3/2016 05:21:54 am

While telling a story together, the text and illustrations definitely need to tell their own stories separately as well and it's important to leave room for the illustrator's vision. Thanks so much for sharing great examples of where this is the case!

Rebecca Colby

3/3/2016 05:23:27 am

And as I forgot to type out my full name, I'm commenting again. Agh! Thanks for the generous prize donation too!

Janee Trasler link

3/3/2016 05:12:30 pm

I love seeing how skillful authors can be at leaving room and how equally skillful illustrators can be at filling that room.

Joy Main

3/3/2016 05:48:19 am

Thanks Janee. I've just (yesterday) drafted my first MS where the illustrations tell the reader the real story, not mentioned in the text. Wish I was an illustrator! I'll definitely study these mentor texts for inspiration.

Janee link

3/3/2016 05:13:16 pm

Oooh! Exciting! I hope to add it to my bookshelves one day!

MD Knabb

3/3/2016 05:57:07 am

Thanks for some great examples, Janee.

Janee link

3/3/2016 05:13:45 pm

They were so easy to find!!

sharon giltrow

3/3/2016 06:01:45 am

Thanks Janee as a non-illustrator I am trying to leave room for and picture the illustrations when I wrote my stories.

janee

3/3/2016 08:16:25 pm

That's great, Sharon!

Andrea Mack link

3/3/2016 06:04:06 am

I really admire picture books where the story and illustrations fit together so that the book becomes something magical and different than it ever would be with just the story or illustrations alone. As an writer, one of the things I love about writing picture books is how visuals can create part of the story - really wish I was skilled enough to illustrate too! Thanks for all these mentor texts!

janee

3/3/2016 08:18:17 pm

Those really are the best books!

Tina Cho link

3/3/2016 06:05:37 am

Those kinds of books are sooo fun for the reader when two things are going on at once! Thanks, Janee.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:19:44 pm

It adds another layer, doesn't it?

Deborah Allmand

3/3/2016 06:25:29 am

Janee so much food for thought while composing and revising a manuscript. I have learned so much from your post.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:20:03 pm

Yay! I'm so glad.

Mary Warth

3/3/2016 06:26:58 am

My main goal is to leave room for the illustrations in my manuscripts and avoid the temptation to dictate the whole story. These are great examples to study!

janee

3/3/2016 08:22:23 pm

That's a great goal, Mary.

Karla Valenti

3/3/2016 06:31:11 am

This is one of the hardest things that writers who are non-illustrators face because we can so often "see" the story in our mind and we just want someone to illustrate what we can't. However, one of the best pieces of advice I learned was that a story is actually a 50/50 collaboration between a writer and an illustrator and it is not the illustrator's job to draw the author's vision. Rather, the illustrator draws her/his own version of the story. This means we need to let go of our written stories and let them take flight on their own. I really do believe that it is those stories that sing in both text and art that move us the most.

Thank you for sharing these great examples!

Karla Valenti

3/3/2016 06:31:28 am

Lisa Morgan

3/3/2016 06:32:22 am

Thank you Janee. As a neophyte writer, the process of writing my stories down and letting the pictures play across my mind is so enjoyable and satisfying, and yet, frightening too. I wonder, will the illustrator see what I see? Will the story have the same feel once an illustrator adds their vision? Lots to contemplate! I'm learning so much. I appreciate your participation and wisdom!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:23:17 pm

What if the illustrator sees something you didn't see?!?! Think how great that could be!

Tanya Konerman link

3/3/2016 06:32:28 am

I find it fun as a writer to leave room for the illustrator to do his or her magic. A lot of my writing involves humor and so much of that depends on the illustrations to carry or improve on the joke!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:24:13 pm

YES! Sometimes the text is the straight-man to the illustrations.

Sharon Constantino

3/3/2016 06:33:33 am

Thanks Janee, In my first draft I did dictate the whole story! I had it critiqued and took out everything the pictures would show. You're post will definitely help with my revisions. Thanks!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:24:55 pm

Great revising then!

Kirsti Call

3/3/2016 06:57:33 am

Thanks Janee, for a great post and incredible recommendations! I can't wait to read/reread them today!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:25:19 pm

Thanks, Kirsti!

MaryLee Flannigan

3/3/2016 07:01:10 am

Thank you - For me it is the illustrations that make me pick up a book. Then if it sounds like a good story, I will read it.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:25:41 pm

Me too, MaryLee.

Jodi McKay

3/3/2016 07:01:41 am

Thanks, Janee. It can be so hard to not write it all out, but you're right, not telling and allowing the illustrations show the story can make a story so much more enjoyable.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:27:39 pm

You can always write it in an art note, just so you get to write it, then trash any unnecessary art notes later.

Sara Gentry

3/3/2016 07:06:02 am

Thank you for the post and book recommendations. This is an area where I believe author-illustrators have the edge. Honestly, I would like to see more collaboration between authors and illustrators in creating the final story and product. As PBs continue to have lower word count, I wonder if we won't start to see more creative teams that work together early in the process.

janee

3/3/2016 08:28:55 pm

I think we may already be seeing more collaborations of that nature.

Lotus Ivak link

3/3/2016 07:13:53 am

Thank you for your post Janee! I can't wait to dig in and read/reread these books.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:29:15 pm

Excellent! Dig in!

Denise Benavides

3/3/2016 07:14:01 am

I agree with Sara. I would also like to see more collaboration between the author and the illustrators. But I would think it would take 2 people who can work with each other towards one vision of the story. It would be great fun to find such a person.

janee

3/3/2016 08:30:06 pm

Whether you are working TOGETHER or not, there IS a collaboration. You see it between the text and illustrations.

Leah Heilman Schanke

3/3/2016 07:14:44 am

I gave up studying art at a young age to pursue my love of math and science. At my school we had to choose one track or the other. These mentor texts are an inspirational reminder to tap into the visual artist within me as I write. Thank you!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:31:45 pm

You just took up studying art again!

Laura Purdie Salas link

3/3/2016 07:15:06 am

I'm always jealous of author/illustrators! The Flora books, Where's Walrus, and Who Done It? are all SO illustration-driven I'm not sure a non-illustrator could have sold the idea, even if it originally had text. I enjoyed reading the others and wondering what the illo notes might have said, or whether there was originally more text (when first submitted). I agree--Tammi Sauer is a genius at this. I love Your Alien as an example of leaving room for the illustrator. Thanks for the food for thought!

Lisa Rogers

3/3/2016 03:35:10 pm

I am so jealous of author-illustrators, too! It must be so amazing to have the vision and be able to execute it in just the way you like! Yet I think it's an incredibly rich process to for editors to match an illustrator to a manuscript and see what unfolds. Being an illustrator is my dream job.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:35:58 pm

It is amazing. At the same time, after I get the stamp of approval from my critique group, I still have work to do! Once they've revised their manuscripts, they are ready for submission!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:34:38 pm

You might think that, Laura, but then you look at MINE! and UH-OH! and you realize it can be done with a separate author and illustrator.

Yup, Tammi is a genius, and I'm fortunate enough to get to see most of her books while they're still in draft/ms form. She is so good with art notes. She knows exactly how to word them to get what the text needs, without dictating to the illustrator at all.

Julie J Burchstead

3/3/2016 07:22:17 am

Anyone who lives with a sweetie pie, guinea pigs, and a pack of puppies must be someone writerly terrific. This is great information. Leaving space for the illustrator is a tricky business to learn to do. These are some great mentors texts.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:36:43 pm

It's true! Sweetie pies, guinea pigs, and puppies make for a happy writer!

Linda Chavez

3/3/2016 07:22:26 am

This is going to help me trim down my current PB manuscript. Thanks for the suggestion to leave room for pics. I'm going to type up the text from one of the suggested PBs to see what it looks/sounds like without the pics. Thank you!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:37:19 pm

That is an EXCELLENT exercise, Linda.

Lucky Jo

3/3/2016 07:23:26 am

Also check out "Sector Seven" by David Weisner. Wordless wonder. Thanks, Janee.

Janee

3/3/2016 08:37:59 pm

Oh yeah, David Weisner is a master at wordless. No doubt.

Sue Poduska

3/3/2016 07:38:46 am

After all, it's the pictures that sets them apart from just books. Go, illustrators!

Janee

3/3/2016 08:40:19 pm

The pictures and the economy of words!

Jaclyn Kruzie link

3/3/2016 07:40:39 am

I've been guilty of being so wrapped up in writing that I forget to leave room for illustrations. Thanks Janee for reminding me that illustrations give the audience a chance to participate more actively, which is what we all want for audience. By the way Bathtime for Chickies is one of my daughter's favorite books :)

Janee

3/3/2016 09:05:04 pm

Awwwwww, Thanks, Jackie!

Donna Cangelosi link

3/3/2016 07:41:53 am

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Janee. The books you selected show how much Illustrations bring the story to life and how important it is for writers to make room for them.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:06:02 pm

Thanks, Donna. I love each of these books.

Terri DeGezelle link

3/3/2016 07:45:00 am

Here is my whiney voice... but it is so hard to leave room for the illustrator. Now having said that, Janne, Nice job and you are so correct and gave us some great examples to read and think about.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:07:14 pm

Here's my supportive, nurturing voice right back at you, Terri...You can DO IT!!!

Rebecca Trembula

3/3/2016 07:47:15 am

One of the jobs of the illustrator is to make a story that is completely interesting even if the person sitting and reading it can't understand a single letter in a single word of the text. So the illustrations must make a story and the text must make a story...but it's always nice when they weave together in a way that makes a third, richer story when you combine the text with the illustrations.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:07:46 pm

Couldn't agree more!

Val McCammon

3/3/2016 07:58:42 am

Great examples of how illustrations are so important to fulfilling and expanding the promise of the text. Thanks, Janee.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:08:10 pm

Thanks, Val.

Amy Murrell

3/3/2016 08:03:41 am

I really enjoyed seeing these books. I'm still a little unclear if you aren't am illustrator or pay off an author-illustrator team how - and when - you notes are done. These brilliant, already complete examples make it appear easy but I know from experience that it isn't, at least for me. I have ideas in my head about using just enough detailed, descriptive words to leave room for pictures to build out the story but the mechanics of making it all come together are unclear to me! This did help, so thank you, Janee.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:09:36 pm

Amy, someone in a comment above suggested writing the text out to some of these books to see how they read without the pictures.

Mike Karg link

3/3/2016 08:11:04 am

I have to remind myself to slow down reading pages with few words-those can be closer to a wordless spread where that long pause is obvious. Books that come with CDs give clues as to how long the author and illustrator intended that pause to be. Good night, Gorilla is another good example of a sparse text -there's plenty to notice when slowing down to read.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:14:03 pm

Sometimes the illustrations give clues on how long to pause as well. I went to the Mazza museum once and heard Eric Rohmann speak. He talked about how he did that in MY FRIEND RABBIT. My pal and I went back to our hotel and deconstructed that book to see how he did it. It was so interesting. For instance...if the characters were pushing towards the left side of the book, it's a visual clue that automatically slows you from turning the page. He also used a device where you have to turn the book to see an illustration; this made you physically stop reading and turn the book. Talk about using the illustrations to pace a PB! I can't recommend studying this book enough!

Mary Boehmer

3/3/2016 08:11:39 am

Thank you for sharing with us! While we read aloud children are listening also with their eyes! Great example books, some other favorites are the Colin Thompson books, The Paradise Garden, The last Alchemist, The Child That Lived Forever. Also Sarah L. Thomson books Imagine A Day, Imagine A Night and Imagine A Place. Happy Reading!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:14:42 pm

Time for a library visit for me too!

PatHaap

3/3/2016 08:12:50 am

Terrific examples! Love the interplay between illustrations and story!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:15:02 pm

So do I, Pat!

Diane Roberts link

3/3/2016 08:33:33 am

I loved seeing this post by Janee. What an eye opener for me. I will be studying these books over the weekend. Great challenge to learn a different way of understanding the making of a picture book. Janee's words were like a bright light showing me a different way of reading a fun PB. Thank you!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:16:26 pm

Oooh, enjoy your library/bookstore visit, Diane!

Joan Swanson

3/3/2016 08:34:28 am

Thank you for being a guest and helping us to realize that we do not need to describe everything in great detail. It is hard to trust the illustrator to make your work whole, but I'm getting there!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:17:11 pm

If you give them room, they may even take it somewhere better than you could have imagined, Joan!

Sharon Putnam

3/3/2016 08:36:01 am

Thank you, Janee, for sharing, and giving us a peek at books that leave space for the illustrator to do his/her magic.

I imagine the illustrations as I write and tend to get wrapped up in describing the pictures in my mind. These are great mentor texts to study and learn how to weed out the words

Janee

3/3/2016 09:18:23 pm

That's great that you're imagining the illustrations as you write, Sharon! Anything you see in the illustrations can be left out of the text!

Anita Jones link

3/3/2016 08:37:21 am

As a writer/illustrator, I love telling and illustrating my own story. I love when good illustrations compliment a well written story. On your list Janee, I have to say that one of my favorite books now is, "Shh! We Have a Plan" by Chris Haughton. It made me laugh....even to the end! Thank you!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:19:44 pm

I think that book is absolutely BRILLIANT, Anita. I love it!

Juliana Lee link

3/3/2016 08:42:51 am

This is such an important part of writing picture books. When reading picture books, whether author/illustrator or author only writers, I try to pay attention to where I think there must have been an art note, and what it might say. Could there have been only one art note at the beginning of the manuscript which sets the stage for the whole story or might there have been several specific art notes throughout the manuscript? My learning goal is to figure out the fewest and least obtrusive art notes a story needs, and to apply that to my own writing.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:20:46 pm

Excellent goal, Juliana!

Monique Wakefield

3/3/2016 08:43:55 am

Love how illustrators can really make the pictures stand out. I love these wordless books. As a writer/illustrator I would love to be able to accomplish what these writers have.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:22:01 pm

Studying these types of books is the best way I know to meet that goal!

Virginia Law Manning link

3/3/2016 08:44:44 am

I love books that do this well! I find some editors have such an aversion to illustrator notes though. I'm guessing if the purpose is to tell something TRULY important to the storyline that isn't in the text, they will be OK with them. But I wonder how fine a line this is for editors who really hate illustrator notes.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:24:45 pm

If the note is necessary to make the story work, put it in there.

Kizzi Roberts link

3/3/2016 08:48:09 am

Great post once again! I worry sometimes that too few words in the manuscript won't make sense when submitting to an agent. I've never included illustration notes but I can see how they would be helpful in making it easier to leave some words out and still know the agent would understand what was happening.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:26:25 pm

If they make a sparse text clear, I would include art notes. If I'm submitting without a dummy, I include art notes where needed.

Melanie Ellsworth

3/3/2016 08:54:47 am

Janee - great description of the various ways text/illustration can work together - thank you! I also enjoy the mentor text NO DOGS ALLOWED (Linda Ashman, Kristin Sorra).

Shelley Kinder

3/3/2016 01:10:28 pm

Melanie, I recently came across the actual manuscript for No Dogs Allowed. It's here if you are interested. I like seeing how she handled art notes. http://lindaashman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/No-Dogs-Allowed-Submission.pdf

Janee

3/3/2016 09:28:10 pm

That's fantastic!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:27:48 pm

Yes! That was on one of my lists. I had too many lists going at one time!

Janet Smart link

3/3/2016 09:01:54 am

Great examples of how such few words can make a good book.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:29:39 pm

It's amazing, isn't it?

Jess Townes link

3/3/2016 09:07:02 am

These are my favorite kind of picture books! I love letting the pictures reveal part of the story (though crafting illustration notes that are concise and necessary is still something I'm working on). Thanks for this post, and for the great recommendations!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:31:18 pm

Think of them as little bullet points to yourself. You can always go back later and pare them down,

Elizabeth Duncan

3/3/2016 09:07:33 am

It is inspiring to think of how an author and illustrator can work together to create a fully presented story.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:32:13 pm

And amazing when you think that, in most cases, they probably never even spoke about it!

Lisa Connors link

3/3/2016 09:12:22 am

Great examples! Thank you.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:32:28 pm

:-)

Susan Deo

3/3/2016 09:15:01 am

Dear Janee,
Thanks for sharing some of your favorites where writing and illustrating compliment each other. It's an important thing to be reminded of in writing a picture book manuscript, one I'm still striving toward!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:33:47 pm

I hope this list of books helps get you there!

Sheri Rad

3/3/2016 09:24:31 am

Thanks for explaining this part and I wonder if Uh-Oh author had a conversation with the illustrator about this story and Mine. There are not enough words there and we need to hold back on illustration notes. I love Molly Idle's work, too.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:36:32 pm

Well, the illustrator in this case is a friend of mine, so I called her up and asked her. She says, "Nope. Not a word."

Amazing, eh?

Anita Banks

3/3/2016 09:27:09 am

Thank you for sharing your list of books for this example!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:38:10 pm

I enjoyed sharing!

Holly Samson Hall

3/3/2016 09:27:24 am

Thanks for this! I love the mentor texts that you chose, Janee. I play autoharp too!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:39:49 pm

You do?!? How cool! I have way too many, and now I'm taking mandolin lessons. I can see the tension in my hubby's face as he worries I might start hoarding those as well. :-)

Angela Turner

3/3/2016 09:28:47 am

Thank you for providing these lovely examples for our research. I haven't read your book yet but I would love to! Thank you for donating a copy for the prizes.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:40:11 pm

My pleasure!

Natalie Rompella link

3/3/2016 09:30:20 am

I loved Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. I'm curious what the author's illustrator notes were and how much was left to the artist.

Lisa Rogers

3/3/2016 03:41:04 pm

Some info on their process here:
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2014/10/author-illustrator-chat-giveaway-mac.html

Janee

3/3/2016 09:41:15 pm

Perfect! Thanks for the link!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:40:56 pm

Oooh look, ask and you shall receive! Lisa just linked to some notes on that!

Maria Marshall

3/3/2016 09:31:57 am

Thank you Jane for a great post. It is perhaps the most exciting part of a story - like Beekle - to end lore the illustrations while reading, and also the hardest thing as strictly a writer to accomplish. Wonderful examples for mentor texts. Thanks again.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:43:11 pm

I find that I don't just look at illustrations, I "read" them. The illustrations in BEEKLE certainly do invite you in to explore them!

Maria Johnson

3/3/2016 09:34:04 am

Thank you Janee for your helpful advice and amazing examples.
WORD PAINTING by Rebecca McClanahan is one of my go to
resources that analyzes word choices to enhance the potential for visuals.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:44:03 pm

That's great, Maria! I'll take a look at that book.

Marianne Kuzujanakis link

3/3/2016 09:38:25 am

It's so challenging things to leave room for illustrations.
But when it's done well, it sings! Great selection of books. Thanks Janee!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:45:00 pm

A fun challenge though, don't you think?

Jane Buttery link

3/3/2016 09:43:38 am

Janee, what a wonderful emphasis on illustrations! I absolutely loved the balletdancing in Flora and the Flamingo and so i got out Flora and the Penguin. The feelings that come out of these wonderful illustrations leave so much for a child to enjoy and for an adult to savour! Your caveman looks exciting too. Thanks for the joy you have shown here.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:45:53 pm

I agree. I think Molly Idle's FLORA books may be the most beautiful books I've ever seen.

Mary Worley

3/3/2016 09:44:56 am

Thanks for the list of fabulous books. I envy author/illustrators. It's hard to know exactly what is necessary and what can be left to the illustrator. I'm trying to focus on books with two creators who do not collaborate, so I can improve. Locating author or illustrator interviews help.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:47:11 pm

I think that's a good plan, but I think you should include books where the author was also illustrator. You will probably find a lot of things in those books to strive for as an author as well.

Katie Parnell

3/3/2016 09:46:53 am

Thank you Janee! Remembering to let the pictures help you tell the story is definitely something I have been working on in my recent story. This is very helpful!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:47:57 pm

That's great you're working on leaving room for the illustrations!

Carol Cole link

3/3/2016 09:47:50 am

Great examples of leaving room for the illustrator. I first write the story I want to tell and then go back and take out descriptions that could be illustrated. This can be and is often a difficult job.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:51:05 pm

You might find ways to leave out even more than just descriptions. Is there a way you can let the illustration tell part of a joke? Maybe show a secret that the narrator doesn't know?

Katie Giorgio

3/3/2016 09:47:51 am

What a great post...thanks for sharing!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:51:24 pm

Totally my pleasure!

Debra Shumaker

3/3/2016 09:48:30 am

I've only read a few of these books. I look forward to getting my hands on the rest! Thanks for a great post.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:51:48 pm

I envy you getting to read some of these for the first time!

Lori Degman link

3/3/2016 09:48:38 am

Great post, Janee! I love when the illustrations and text are contrary and the reader is in on the joke!! I LOVE your Caveman book - when I first read it I thought, "Why didn't I write this?!" That's the biggest compliment I can give another author!!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:52:22 pm

Lori, you just freakin' made my DAY!!!

Linda Schueler

3/3/2016 09:58:23 am

Another great list for me to study!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:53:29 pm

I suspect by the time ReFoReMo gets towards the end of it's cycle, the libraries are empty of picture books!

YAY!!!

Heather Pierce Stigall link

3/3/2016 10:04:36 am

I love when PB illus. tell part of the story that's not in the text too! As a writer, I am working hard to figure out when and how to do this -- necessary vs. unnecessary art notes, whether or not to include some sort of description in the text, etc. It's a challenge, but one I am enjoying taking on!

Janee

3/3/2016 09:54:42 pm

The comics in newspapers are really good tools to study for this as well. Talk about having to fit a storyline into a small space!

Meena

3/3/2016 10:07:27 am

Eric Carle books are a great example for this. I love the white space that brings out the story in focus. Thanks for the great post and the suggestions.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:55:22 pm

Eric Carle books are probably great examples of EVERYTHING in PB writing!!

Ginger Weddle

3/3/2016 10:08:52 am

Janee, I like your phrase, "letting the illustrations talk". I will remind myself of that while writing and revising. Thank you.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:58:31 pm

Great! I love having tools like that when I write. I don't remember the quote exactly, so I'm paraphrasing, but...

Uri Schulevitz said something in one of his books like "the only thing that should be in the text is what the illustrations can't show." I don't totally agree with this, because I love the interplay and back-and-forth between text and illustration, but I've always remembered that and used it as a little mental checklist.

Rachel Hamby link

3/3/2016 10:14:28 am

I love books like this, but have to admit, as an author I still struggle with knowing what to include in text, what to leave to the illustrator, and what needs an art note.

Janee

3/3/2016 09:59:30 pm

I think that's why using books that you love as mentor texts is so important. It helps you develop an instinct for where, when, and how much.

Maria Gianferrari link

3/3/2016 10:15:11 am

Your Alien is one of my favorites & Tammi is the queen of white space!

Thanks for the insightful post, Janee & looking forward to reading your books! Those chickies are adorable :)

Janee

3/3/2016 10:01:12 pm

Thank you, Maria! And hugs from the Chickies!

Tammi is definitely the queen. :-)

Judy Cooper link

3/3/2016 10:32:39 am

Interesting selections. Thanks for the post.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:01:45 pm

So happy to participate!

Sue Heavenrich link

3/3/2016 10:34:18 am

I love books where illustrations carry half the story, or show the other plot line - like in Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, where they keep missing the gems. Or Rain, where people's actions and expressions are integral but Linda Ashman keeps the text minimal.
AND here is the conundrum: editors want minimal or no "art notes" and yet - how do you let the editor know that there is an important visual element/plot to this story? For example: a story told totally in dialog, where illustrations must show the plot & context?

Janee

3/3/2016 10:04:34 pm

If the art note is essential to telling the story, an editor is not going to mind that at all.

I think we hear this about editors and art notes because they see a lot of manuscripts that go overboard with art notes that are unnecessary to the plot. It's like, for years, we heard that editors don't want to see rhyme, when the truth of the matter was and is that editors don't want to see bad rhyme.

Carol Nelson

3/3/2016 10:37:49 am

Great post. These are all great mentor texts. I'm learning from the masters!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:06:28 pm

That's exactly how I feel when I pore over these books - like the art student studying the masters at the museum.

Sussu link

3/3/2016 10:40:11 am

Thank you for sharing this. It's very interesting how the pictures can take over or completely redefine the meaning of a story. However, something puzzles me. Some of these books only have the illustrator's name, but in MINE and UH-OH! there is the name of the author too. What role did the author have in the story? I'm confused. Did the author work closely with the illustrator or did the aurhor actually sent the word "Mine!" (bis) "Mi" "Woof?" and "Mine!" to the publisher and an explanation of the vision?

Janee

3/3/2016 10:16:42 pm

The books that have just the illustrator's name are books that the illustrator wrote as well as illustrated.

The Shutta Crumm/Patrice Barton books are examples where art notes play a vital role. The author and illustrator did not work together at all.

Charlotte Dixon

3/3/2016 10:40:54 am

Thank you, Janee, for the picture book examples that do have room for fabulous illustrations.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:17:20 pm

8-)

Stephanie Gray

3/3/2016 10:41:58 am

Yet another instance when I wish I had any artistic talent whatsoever. I think it would be an exciting challenge to try and illustrate a wordless PB. Though as Janee points out, it can be done with a separate author and illustrator. Something to aspire to.

Also, what I love about some of these books is how much room they leave for conversation with the child with whom you are sharing them.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:18:57 pm

And that is an awesome thing! Conversation with the child!

I will point out, as someone who does a lot of storytimes, the wordless and near wordless books often make better lap books than they do storytime books.

Sydney O'Neill

3/3/2016 10:43:54 am

Thanks, Janee. It's fun for both child and adult readers when the illustrations say something the text doesn't.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:19:29 pm

Oh, I agree! And sometimes, the visual joke is just for the adult reader.

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/3/2016 10:45:27 am

: ) Thank you Janee for such awesome reference books.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:19:50 pm

I was so glad to participate!

Nancy Ramsey

3/3/2016 10:47:29 am

Thanks for highlighting so many wonderful books that clearly show how important it is to leave room for the illustrations! Great post!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:20:22 pm

Thanks!

Tootie Nienow

3/3/2016 10:49:08 am

These are fun to read for story times to see what the kids see.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:22:44 pm

I have a harder time reading wordless picture books in storytime. I do much better one-on-one with these books. I would LOVE to see someone do a really good storytime with wordless or near wordless books! I would love to see how they do it.

carole calladine link

3/3/2016 10:51:14 am

Thanks for sharing how illustrations are integral to picture books. Great choices to show, not tell, how it all works together.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:23:09 pm

Like a well-oiled machine...

Angie Quantrell

3/3/2016 10:56:50 am

Oh, I do so love picture books where there is room for the illustrations to tell parts of the story - and more! That's why they are called picture books right? Thank you, Janee!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:23:29 pm

Exactly!!

Rosie Pova

3/3/2016 10:58:22 am

Hooray for my friend, Janee! Illustrator notes are tricky so it's nice to explore and learn from the way other writers handle them. Thank you!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:23:57 pm

Hi Rosie! <waving madly>

Traci Bold link

3/3/2016 10:58:56 am

I agree with you Janee, the author/illustrators have it a little easier than us authors only. Adding art notes is a tricky business all on it's own so you gave us great examples to make this a little easier on us. Thank you and best of luck to you!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:24:34 pm

Thank you, Traci, and right back at you!

Diane Asyre

3/3/2016 11:02:59 am

Picture books introduced me to the harmony between words and images. From there I grew to love film and musical theatre. It's a challenge -- a pleasant one -- to find the right blend in each form of entertainment/communication.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:25:40 pm

It's interesting you say that, Diane. I feel as if illustrating picture books is very much like directing a movie - stage direction, lighting, mood, focus, etc.

Vicki Reinhardt

3/3/2016 11:03:07 am

I always am amazed with what the illustrator comes up with in a PB, especially with low-count word books. Sometimes I cover the pictures and just read the words, sort of an exercise to remind me it's a two-way gig, or a partnership between writer and artist. I also enjoy wordless books where a child can tell their own story from their own perspective, which is always interesting! And I admire those author/illustrators who do both! Thank you for a great post!

Janee

3/3/2016 10:26:25 pm

That's a great exercise!

Charlene Steadman

3/3/2016 11:08:13 am

I find it easier for me to just write the story first without worrying about what the illustrations may or may not be able to show. Once I have a basic idea of the story then I go back and work on making sure each word counts and determining what illustrations will show of the story.

Janee

3/3/2016 10:28:13 pm

Yeah, I think we all work differently. Whatever brings out the best in your story is the right way for you. There is no definitive process.

Manju Howard

3/3/2016 11:15:30 am

Thanks for sharing. I'll have to check out - Where’s Walrus? and Penguin?

Janee

3/3/2016 11:16:43 pm

Fabulous illustrations in that book.

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/3/2016 11:20:12 am

Thanks for the mentor list. Do you think those who are authors, but not illustrators, write illo notes or just totally leave it up to the actual illustrator?

Janee

3/3/2016 11:17:24 pm

They write art notes where necessary. Especially on those wordless books. ;-)

Cheryl Kim

3/3/2016 11:21:22 am

Thank you, Janee! Looking forward to reading and enjoying the illustrations in all the books you mentioned!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:17:44 pm

YAY!

Tracey Brown

3/3/2016 11:22:00 am

Thank you for some excellent examples, Janee. Kids love finding that hidden, extra something in the illustrations that isn't told in the text.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:18:19 pm

And grown ups do too!

Tracey Brown

3/6/2016 12:04:07 pm

Yes! I'm both delighted and amazed at the talent of an illustrator

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/3/2016 11:26:29 am

Your observations about the challenges to an author who is not the illustrator are great. I would love to see the art notes that went to the illustrators with these texts.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:19:20 pm

Someone posted a link to some I think in an earlier comment.

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/4/2016 02:26:40 pm

Thanks! And today (day 4) Linda Ashman links to hers.

AJ Irving link

3/3/2016 11:27:03 am

Great post! You included a few titles I haven't read yet. I will request them from my library today. Thank you, Janee!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:19:41 pm

Happy reading!!

Cecilia McCarthy

3/3/2016 11:28:49 am

Love to be surprised by the extras in the illustrations. Thanks for these suggested books.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:19:58 pm

I love that too!

Judy Cooper link

3/3/2016 11:28:55 am

Interesting selection. Thanks for the post.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:20:12 pm

My pleasure.

Bev Baird

3/3/2016 11:29:12 am

Great points - it really is a good marriage of illustrations working with the text.Great reference texts as well.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:21:02 pm

Love it when they work together.

Susie Sawyer link

3/3/2016 11:33:21 am

It makes sense, really. I mean they're called PICTURE books for a reason! :) Like others, I sometimes struggle with the expectation for us as authors not to share our vision for what is happening unless absolutely necessary. But I'm getting better! We really do need to trust our editors, publishers, and illustrators.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:23:11 pm

I think it makes for a stronger book. Even as an author/illustrator, I know that the input from my editor and art director strengthen and deepen my work.

Ann Magee

3/3/2016 11:41:06 am

Thanks, Janee. I love when the illustrator tells a second story :)

Janee

3/3/2016 11:24:48 pm

Me too! I did a workshop once where I divided the room of (illustrators) into two teams. I gave them the exact same text, but gave each team entirely different art direction. It was so cool to see how differently the same text could be illustrated and how different the resulting stories were.

Pam Phillips

3/3/2016 11:43:14 am

Thank you

Janee

3/3/2016 11:25:07 pm

My pleasure, Pam.

Kathryn Worley

3/3/2016 11:44:48 am

The first time I ever read Shh! We have a plan - I went bonkers. Found every book that Chris Haughton ever wrote/illustrated. So much with a few words and excellent graphic design.

Karen Brady link

3/3/2016 12:00:34 pm

Hi Kathryn, I completely agree! I adored Shh! We Have a Plan. It's instantly become one of my favorites!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:26:27 pm

I suspect that book is on a LOT of people's favorites shelf.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:25:50 pm

Me too. I think it is a brilliant book in every single way.

Sandy Powell

3/3/2016 11:44:54 am

When I read picture books I know I should be looking at the pictures to see how the illustrator told the story, but I find I only really focus on the pictures when the artwork is incredible. For example, Dan Santat or Violeta Dabija. Since their artwork is so mesmerizing I don't really focus on the story they are telling. I know I should because it's important, but I can't help myself.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:27:28 pm

That's very interesting. I wonder how much of the story you're missing by not "reading" the illustrations...

debra daugherty

3/3/2016 11:47:20 am

Thanks, Janee. I'm not an illustrator, so it was nice to get inside the mind and headset of one. Leaving room for illustrations, great advice.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:28:14 pm

You're welcome inside my headspace anytime. :-)

Gabrielle Snyder link

3/3/2016 11:51:51 am

Thanks for these great examples, Janee. It's so fun to see the interplay between text and illustrations in some of these fabulous PBs.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:28:42 pm

I agree!

christie allred link

3/3/2016 11:56:47 am

I'm glad to see some examples of wordless picture books. I have heard a lot about them, but didn't take a closer look until yesterday.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:29:21 pm

Did you enjoy them? Did they give you any cool ideas? I hope so!

Karen Brady link

3/3/2016 11:59:24 am

I just love wordless picture books. They're an excellent way for illustrators to study effective visual storytelling. A good illustration really should be able to speak for itself! These mentor texts are a great example of how well pictures can communicate, and how when writing we need to create and protect that 'breathing room' to allow the visual magic to happen.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:29:53 pm

Well said, Karen.

Kathy Halsey

3/3/2016 12:17:23 pm

Janee, yahoo! You gav eus some great mentor texts to study and ponder today, pardoner!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:30:11 pm

Well YAY!!!

Beverly Marsh

3/3/2016 12:25:40 pm

Thanks for these great pb examples. Look forward to checking them out.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:30:32 pm

Happy reading ahead, Beverly!

debbie mccue

3/3/2016 12:29:37 pm

Thanks, Janee, You introduced me to my new favorite PB -- YOUR ALIEN. I love how the the text and the pictures work together. So delightful!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:31:53 pm

YAY!!! They really do work together so beautifully in that book. And since I got to see it before it had illustrations, I can tell you that the author and the illustrator both brought so much to the table.

Sue Ganz-Schmitt link

3/3/2016 12:41:18 pm

Thanks so much Janee. I find it a challenge when I have a vision for the story that needs to be in the art notes. Finding that balance between too few art notes to communicate the vision and too many is a challenge for me! Thanks for the great examples!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:33:21 pm

Try writing the art notes for these mentor texts. Try to figure out which things HAD to be communicated in an art note to make the story work and which things the illustrator could have added without notes.

Cathy Ballou Mealey link

3/3/2016 12:46:09 pm

Although we spend lots of time studying clever, engaging books like these and wondering how to write and submit something similar, the real magic comes when you read them with a child. They pore over the images, listen carefully to the words for clues, and find the entire book experience to be fun and exhilarating! I'm always delighted by how much kids notice and take in when the book offers them many different layers. Great examples!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:33:57 pm

You're absolutely right, that is pure magic!

Anna Forrester link

3/3/2016 12:53:51 pm

I guess the upside of writing to the lower word counts that are in fashion today is that it forces writers to do a better job of leaving room!!
Also: I love that titles are already recurring in these first three posts: it is great to be encouraged to look at some of these really great books from multiple angles!!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:34:52 pm

Just goes to show that a great book is probably great for MANY reasons and on many layers!!

Therese Nagi

3/3/2016 12:54:22 pm

Janee thanks for showing how important it is to leave room for the illustrator. I really enjoyed your post.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:35:14 pm

My pleasure, Therese.

sue twiggs

3/3/2016 12:56:40 pm

Janee,
I loved each of these books. I'm also thinking of Jan Brett's books where her panels tell another story as well. Your post and reading the texts have given me a new element to consider in my PB MS.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:35:47 pm

Fantastic! Happy writing ahead for you!

Joan Kassmann

3/3/2016 12:58:03 pm

I especially loved the two books Mine! and Uh-Oh! Here is a question coming from a newbie to this though - can someone tell me, what would a submission of books like this look like? So much of the pb is about the illustrations and author's illustrator notes should be limited.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:36:51 pm

Necessary art notes are fine. In wordless or near wordless picture books, obviously, more notes are necessary. :-)

darlene koppel link

3/3/2016 01:03:36 pm

Important information - and great book examples.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:37:09 pm

Shelley Kinder

3/3/2016 01:16:42 pm

Thank you for another great post! I saw above that someone had mentioned No Dogs Allowed, and I thought I'd post the manuscript link that I discovered not long ago. I like seeing how the author, Linda Ashman, handled art notes. After finding this online, I then got the book from the library. Great book! Here is the link if anyone is interested: http://lindaashman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/No-Dogs-Allowed-Submission.pdf

Janee

3/3/2016 11:38:09 pm

Thanks for the link, Shelley! A lot of people are wondering how to format the ms for these types of books, so that is greatly appreciated!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/3/2016 01:25:08 pm

I know this is mentioned several times already, but these books make me even more jealous of the authors who are also the illustrators! They are very good examples of how the story is told almost completely in the illustrations. I am left to wonder how this would have been done if the author was not in fact the illustrator. I've become more interested in seeing these manuscripts and how art notes may have been included. I am currently struggling with how to get my manuscript done with little or no art quotes, and it is a challenge because my story centers around a character who has a physical disability and therefore it is imperative that it is visually shown. I'm really appreciating how these mentor texts open so many doors for questions, reflection, and research. Thanks!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:40:04 pm

Anything that is imperative to the story is okay to put in an art note. With a situation where the protagonist is disabled, you may just need one art note at the beginning to communicate this.

Michele Manning

3/3/2016 01:33:43 pm

Great selection of books! Thanks! Another great wordless book is Chalk by Bill Thompson. Teachers like it for when they talk about making predictions.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:40:58 pm

Thanks for the suggestion. I am keeping a list of these books everyone is mentioning in the comments!

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/3/2016 01:40:58 pm

Thank you for this wonderful post and list of titles. This is an author's hardest job (especially for those of us who are not author/illustrators!), and it's always helpful to see examples of how it's done well.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:42:55 pm

It always helps to see what others have done before you. Especially if they've done it as well as these authors have!

Lindsay Hanson Metcalf

3/3/2016 01:48:14 pm

Thank you for the mentor texts! Leaving room for illustrations is something I continually have to work on.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:43:25 pm

My pleasure, Lindsay.

Bethany Roberts link

3/3/2016 01:49:39 pm

Thanks for the good tips and examples! It certainly is important to strike just the right balance between text and illustrations. (One of your examples helped stir up an idea- that just might work!)

Janee

3/3/2016 11:44:22 pm

Oooh! Exciting!! Good luck and I hope to add it to my favorites shelf one day!

Karen Condit

3/3/2016 02:13:17 pm

Who Done It? by Oliver Tallac is a book easily revisited over and over again because there's always more to discover. It's also good for children's observation skills, slowing the child down to look closely and discover. Lots of conversation can come with this book which is always a good benefit! Thanks much for the post.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:45:32 pm

It's a very clever book.

Kirsten Larson

3/3/2016 02:13:20 pm

I'm currently reading BLUE ON BLUE, and the illustrations tell a whole story not present in the sparse, lyrical text. It's fascinating.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:46:01 pm

Adding it to my list of to-be-read books!

Laura Renauld

3/3/2016 02:20:29 pm

Great examples. I'd love to learn more about how to use art notes to tell the illustration story, as I am not an illustrator.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:49:13 pm

Here are some notes about art notes from my fabulous critique group:
http://pbjeebies.blogspot.com/2012/12/q-what-about-art-notes.html

Sandra Jenkins

3/3/2016 03:00:24 pm

Some favorites of mine on your list and some new ones to explore. Thanks, Janee!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:49:42 pm

My pleasure, Sandra. Happy exploring!

Martin Segal link

3/3/2016 03:12:12 pm

The illustrations from Beekle take you to such a magical place. Can't wait to read the other mentor texts on here tonight!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:50:48 pm

The BEEKLE illustrations are truly amazing. I totally agree!

Carla Ketner

3/3/2016 03:14:51 pm

I used Where's Walrus and Penguin this summer with a group of kids and was reminded of the appeal of wordless books and the value of illustrations in telling a story.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:51:58 pm

Excellent! How did you use the book? Was it in a storytime setting or what? I always love to hear how other people use books to interact with kids.

Lisa Rogers

3/3/2016 03:38:42 pm

I'm looking at Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and finding genius on every page. When the two split up to find something "spectacular", with Dave saying: "I have a new idea...let's split up...it will help our chances," and the reader turns the page to see that splitting up means they miss this enormous gem, meaning, surprise and suspense are added in a way that never could have been achieved by words alone. A great example of not just leaving room, but completely changing up the story.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:52:27 pm

Yup!

Virginia Rinkel link

3/3/2016 03:47:57 pm

I've checked some of these brilliant books out before, but am doing it again, as my eyes are being opened by re-reading them, as I am approaching my 'stuck' story in a whole new light. Thank you all.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:53:12 pm

I'm sending major "unsticking" vibes your way!!!

Kathy Mazurowski

3/3/2016 04:00:16 pm

Your selection of examples is outstanding. I really didn't want to like wordless books, but these are so much fun. Thanks!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:54:04 pm

My pleasure, Kathy!

Trine

3/3/2016 04:02:36 pm

I admire so much the writers who can create a story and allow most of the illustrations to tell it. I want to be one of them!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:54:51 pm

Good luck, Trine, and happy writing!!

JEN link

3/3/2016 04:21:11 pm

This is what I'm working on right now! I'm walking that delicate balance between letting the illustrator help tell the story and at least put in a few words myself. It's hard!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:55:28 pm

But it will be so satisfying when you get there - for you and your readers!

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/3/2016 04:44:26 pm

I think this can be done well in nonfiction, too. One that comes to mind is No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart, where the worms add to the narrative. It's fascinating to see the process, both in writing in illustrating, as the book evolved. Check it out.

http://www.melissa-stewart.com/timeline/10yr_timeline.html

Janee

3/3/2016 11:56:35 pm

So true! And I am so drawn to fiction, that I completely forgot to include any nonfiction books. So happy you posted, Jilanne!

Lori Dubbin

3/3/2016 04:45:47 pm

I love when the illustrator creates a parallel story to what's going on in the text. I will be studying these mentor texts for just that. :)
Thank you for your wonderful post!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:56:54 pm

My pleasure, Lori!

Chris Perry link

3/3/2016 04:54:11 pm

I need to explore the wordless more. I had a screen play class and the group loved my picturesque descriptions and always told me to take what little conversations I put in out. Not that they didn't like the verbiage, just that they thought i did such a good job creating verbal imagery.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:57:35 pm

Sounds like a good plan for you, Chris!

Shellley Marshall

3/3/2016 04:57:58 pm

I reread these books with your post in mind and these were teaching moments. Thank you for the book list and your post.

Janee

3/3/2016 11:57:57 pm

My pleasure, Shelley!

Keila Dawson link

3/3/2016 05:00:02 pm

Love the selection. I find the most creative and challenging part of writing is leaving words out!

Janee

3/3/2016 11:58:56 pm

Challenging but fun, right?

Susan Wroble link

3/3/2016 05:36:14 pm

It makes me wonder if sometimes the authors themselves are surprised by the direction the illustrators take the story!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:00:42 am

I've wondered that too. I know that at least one of my critique partners was expecting human children illustrations and got animal children - and that is a great example of letting the illustrator be a partner in the book.

Noelle McBride

3/3/2016 05:42:00 pm

This is a great reminder for leaving that space, and having that trust in the illustrator. As a teacher of primary students, one of our first "reading" lessons is how to read the pictures, so that during reading time, they can practice that skill, as they grow the skills of reading the text. I'm going to keep a close eye on which ones they can spend a lot of time with!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:01:18 am

Excellent first "reading" lesson!

Patricia A Miller

3/3/2016 05:54:53 pm

Thanks for the great suggestions. I've heard that many times the illustrator comes up with better ideas than the author first envisioned.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:01:50 am

What's that old saying? Two heads are better than one. :-)

Janie Reinart

3/3/2016 06:16:53 pm

Thank you for great examples. Looking forward to getting my hands on Caveman.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:02:11 am

Yay! I hope you enjoy it!

Celeste Gerard

3/3/2016 06:23:40 pm

Good information. Thanks for sharing all the examples!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:02:34 am

My pleasure, Celeste!

Brook Gideon link

3/3/2016 06:37:49 pm

Janee, thank you for such wonderful suggestions of how to leave room for the illustrations. As a writer and illustrator, I still find this hard since I like to write visually, if that makes any sense. These suggestions will serve me well in paring down my stories.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:06:04 am

It's still a part of the story whether you show it in the words or the pictures. Just think about how you want the info delivered to the listener. Is this something you want them to hear from the reader or something you want them to "read" on their own in the illustrations? Sometimes the answer will be text and sometimes it will be picture.

Brook Gideon link

3/8/2016 11:46:15 am

Thank you! That is a great way to look at it!

Susan Zonca

3/3/2016 07:00:29 pm

I enjoyed reading a number of these books again with a different research focus. It is so helpful. Thanks again for the reminder to leave room for the illustrator to work his/her magic.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:07:59 am

It's so cool to approach books from various angles! I always find it interesting how different a book can seem depending on my own project at the time.

Susanne link

3/3/2016 07:23:47 pm

Saw several of these titles at our Book Fair today. Thanks for the suggestions!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:08:21 am

My pleasure, Susanne!

Angela Dale

3/3/2016 07:58:01 pm

I love daydreaming about what added layers an illustrator might bring to my story, sort of like the spread between the presents I've put under the xmas tree, and all the other treats that show up there xmas morning.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:08:48 am

What a nice thought!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/3/2016 08:01:52 pm

Thanks for this great list, Janee. I've been trying to get my hands on Sam and Dave Dig a Hole since ReFoReMo started last year--that's right LAST year, but it's always out. :( But I'm off to check out the others on this list. Thanks again.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:09:25 am

It will be worth the wait, Rita!

Cindy Cornwall

3/3/2016 08:02:36 pm

Even though I illustrate and write, it's always a challenge to pare things down. Less IS more!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:10:37 am

That's kind of the cool thing about being both author and illustrator, what you pare down from the text might just creep its way into the illustrations!

Colleen Paeff

3/3/2016 08:36:44 pm

Thanks, Janee. Great selections!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:11:21 am

My pleasure, Colleen!

Kimberly Marcus link

3/3/2016 08:44:06 pm

Very much enjoyed these selections. I especially liked Where's Walrus because the zookeeper realized that Walrus had something special and
allowed Walrus the room to grow. Thank you!!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:11:57 am

My pleasure, Kimberly!

Lori Gravley link

3/3/2016 08:48:07 pm

I struggle with trusting the reader and illustrator to fill in the spaces. I'm getting better and these mentor texts are inspiring.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:12:53 am

Trust them! Trust them! They might even fill them in better than if you spell it all out.

Marlene Rohr link

3/3/2016 09:10:30 pm

Thanks for this inspiring post Janee! It is a challenge for non-illustrators to think of the overall effect of illustrations and how they add to the overall appearance of the story, when focusing so much on the words. This has helped me to keep that perspective in mind when writing my stories.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:13:21 am

Great, Marlene!

Denise Engle

3/3/2016 09:11:30 pm

Excellent selection of mentor texts! Thank you!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:13:43 am

Thanks, Denise. I enjoyed participating!

Lynn Davidson link

3/3/2016 09:32:05 pm

I'm learning how to use illustration notes sparingly, and now I see in a new way that I have to learn how to use words sparingly and spot-on so the illustrator has more room.
Of the ten books for today, of the seven I was able to borrow from the library - Shh! We Have a Plan is my favourite. It's funny and done so well.
Thank you for contributing to my (our) picture book author education. :)

Janee

3/4/2016 12:14:26 am

That is absolutely one of my favorite PBs of all time!

Anne Appert link

3/3/2016 09:33:30 pm

Thanks for the post! As an aspiring author/illustrator, I love thinking about the illustrations will work with the text. It would be interesting to just do one or the other. Such great examples for mentor texts!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:15:44 am

It's exciting to do both the text and the illustrations yourself. You really can seamlessly make sure one picks up where the other leaves off.

Heidi Yates

3/3/2016 09:33:32 pm

Thank you for sharing some great examples today Janee! :)

Janee

3/4/2016 12:16:43 am

I thoroughly enjoyed it, Heidi!

Laurie Bouck

3/3/2016 09:49:00 pm

Thank you Janee for the great post!! Some of my favourite books are those which have "hidden" text within the illustrations! :)

Janee

3/4/2016 12:17:10 am

Mine too, Laurie!

Cathy Breisacher

3/3/2016 10:00:23 pm

This is such an important thing for a writer to learn, and it's not always easy! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for choosing such great examples to study.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:17:31 am

My pleasure, Cathy.

Shari Della Penna link

3/3/2016 10:01:56 pm

Thanks for all the great examples. I especially enjoyed looking at Sam and Dave and Shh! We have a Plan from another perspective.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:19:03 am

It would be interesting to hold out those two books and see if you could study them for every topic brought up in ReFoReMo this year! I bet you'd find something different every time you read them.

Jennifer Cole Judd link

3/3/2016 10:02:17 pm

Awesome selections, Janee! I'm with the rest of the crew who finds it really challenging to just...pipe down...and let the illustrations help tell the story. But the best part of reading aloud a picture book is when you read the text and then the illustration reveals a humorous twist or surprise (or a bit of heartfelt warm fuzziness). Great post! :)

Janee

3/4/2016 12:21:29 am

That seriously is one of the best things about reading a picture book, Jennifer! And I feel that way whether I'm reading a book in storytime or happily reading it just for me. :-)

Pamela Courtney

3/3/2016 10:03:16 pm

So here's the other side of that coin. How scary it has to be, trusting that your vision, or hopefully a better illustrative vision for your story will be the end result. However, I must say, the books I like have the best of marriages. Perfect language tied together with perfect illustrations. Thanks so much for this post.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:24:43 am

We're forgetting a couple of people in this scenario - the editor and art director. They have a huge role (and a huge stake) in making sure the story is told in the best possible way! So while you're letting other people take over with your baby, at least they're totally invested in the success!

Emily Johnsen

3/3/2016 10:10:30 pm

I am always so amazed when I see a picture book that is such a perfect collaboration between a separate author and illustrator. The process is often like magic!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:25:27 am

I think it IS magic!

Ju'nelle Skelton

3/3/2016 10:37:14 pm

Thanks for your insight. I've never truly distinguished the different abilities of an illustrator. I like the advice you gave on leaving room for the illustration, especially with word count being lowered, it's a great idea to let the illustrator do his or her job, while I do the job of the author and use my words wisely.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:28:13 am

Shorter text expectations and requirements is another great reason to let the illustrations take over some of the storytelling work.

DeLeon

3/3/2016 10:49:02 pm

I have few stories just like this and I thought all picture books were supposed to have words. The examples you used are so gracefully done, they are the perfect mentor texts to bring my visual stories to life :-) Thank you so much, Janee

Janee

3/4/2016 12:29:43 am

Excellent! Can't wait to put your wordless books on my shelves, DeLeon!

Brenda Huante

3/3/2016 10:49:55 pm

I can't remember if I commented earlier. I usually write it down and I didn't, So here goes: Thank you so much for the post. I'm really enjoying ReFoReMo. Excellent examples!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:30:17 am

My pleasure. I was happy to participate!

Lauren Kerstein link

3/3/2016 10:51:43 pm

Thank you for addressing such an important topic. Given the different preferences regarding illustration notes in the industry, this topic is fascinating to me as an author.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:31:40 am

Illustration notes is certainly a hot topic! Use 'em if you need 'em!

Melissa Stoller link

3/3/2016 10:52:36 pm

Thank you, Janee! These were a great sampling of mentor texts and your comments about authors "letting the illustrations talk" is so helpful to keep in mind. I look forward to reading your book as well.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:32:25 am

Thanks you, Melissa! I enjoyed participating and revisiting some of my favorite books.

Deirdre Enhlehart

3/3/2016 10:54:45 pm

great topic for today and I love your book examples.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:32:58 am

Yay! I am so glad.

Natalie Lynn Tanner

3/3/2016 10:58:44 pm

Great reminders about the unique relationship/partnership between the author and illustrator. THANK YOU!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:34:23 am

And the even more important relationship between the text and the illustrations!

It was my pleasure to participate in ReFoReMo. It's something I've been doing for years and didn't even know it had a name! :-)

Lisa Williams

3/3/2016 11:04:21 pm

I love this concept. One of my fave books that I would add to the list on this particular topic is Lane Smith's Grandpa Green. The illustrations add a dimension to the written story. I especially love Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. They get so close to that "something spectacular!! Thanks for a great post.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:35:01 am

Yes! Lane Smith's book belongs on this list!

Mischa Kuczynski link

3/3/2016 11:51:04 pm

Thank you for the awesome examples! So timely as I am also currently working with a MS that relies heavily on the illustrations to tell the story!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:35:30 am

Yay! Timing is everything! Good luck with your ms!

Amanda Sincavage

3/4/2016 01:01:28 am

Thanks Janee. I've added a couple of your books to my reading list too!

Janee

3/4/2016 01:03:29 am

Excellent! Happy reading!

Zainab Khab

3/4/2016 01:53:01 am

Thanks for the great post! :)

Janee

3/4/2016 02:04:50 am

Happy to participate, Zainab!

Lisa Billa

3/4/2016 02:27:15 am

Thanks for a great post! These are such fun to read, and look at!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:43:18 pm

Thanks, Lisa. It was my pleasure.

Dee Leone link

3/4/2016 02:56:25 am

Love the sample picture books. Thanks.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:43:47 pm

:0)

Donna L Martin link

3/4/2016 05:42:07 am

Illustrations are what draw me to a picture book in the first place. One of my favorite wordless PB is TUESDAYS. Another favorite picture book of mine is THE GIVING TREE where the story within the illustrations speak louder to me than the beautiful text itself...;-)

Great post!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:44:44 pm

There are some fabulous examples in older books. These are just a sampling of more current fare. :-)

Linda Carpenter link

3/4/2016 07:43:33 am

Thank you Janee - great insight! Illustrations can make or break a book!

Janee

3/4/2016 12:45:21 pm

They certainly can help push it in one direction or the other!

Chana Stiefel link

3/4/2016 08:51:33 am

Great post! Terrific examples of mentor texts. Loved your photo and bio too. Made me chuckle.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:45:52 pm

Thanks, Chana!

Joana Pastro

3/4/2016 10:03:33 am

Thanks for the great examples, Janee. I've been trying to dissect the books by reading the text while trying to ignore the illustration, then looking at the illustration only and finally putting it all together. It's interesting to see for instance how Dan Santat doesn't explain what is the "something familiar" that Beekle sees or what is the place that gives him the "good feeling", but the illustrator fills in the blanks perfectly.

Janee

3/4/2016 12:46:47 pm

That's a great exercise. Really let's you see how they work together!

Lydia Lukidis link

3/4/2016 10:38:31 am

Thanks for this post! I'm becoming better (slowly) at not saying so much and leaving it to the illustrations to do the talking. That is when part of the mastery is...

Janee

3/4/2016 12:47:12 pm

That's great, Lydia!

Lauren Barbieri

3/4/2016 10:45:18 am

There is really a wonderful art to this! It is so inspiring to see works that become more than the sum of their parts with the integration of the words and visuals. Thank you!

Janee

3/4/2016 01:14:19 pm

That is exactly what happens! The text and the art come together and make something so much better than either could on their own!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/4/2016 11:27:52 am

This 'perfect marriage' of illustrations and text continues to amaze me. I'm looking forward to the day when it's a reality for my manuscript. Thanks for sharing your insights, Janee!

Janee

3/4/2016 01:15:00 pm

I'm sure that day is coming soon!

Joanne Sher link

3/4/2016 12:01:11 pm

This is SO important - and I so VERY appreciate that you included books by authors who did NOT illustrate for examples. I sometimes wonder how much of the written description was "edited out" for these author onlys - by the editor or agent, maybe? Or even the illustrator? Finding that balance is tough - bout I KNOW these texts, and your post, will help. Thanks so much!

Janee

3/4/2016 01:16:57 pm

I suspect most editors leave art notes intact.

Angela De Groot

3/4/2016 12:21:48 pm

After years of over-writing, I'm getting better at leaving room for illustrations. These mentor texts are very helpful.

Janee

3/4/2016 01:17:47 pm

It's fun to go back and look at early efforts and see how far you've come.

Sadee Schilling

3/4/2016 12:30:45 pm

Thanks, Janee! I'm an author-illustrator too and feel a little stuck right now on a ms, trying to think of "surprises" to put in the artwork. The text is simple and silly, so I'm thinking that building a warm, interesting environment for my characters to live in is the way to go. The main character is exasperated by the others throughout the text, so I want the art to express the tenderness that is still there in their relationship. I'll study up on it--thanks for the reading list!

Janee

3/4/2016 01:19:01 pm

I'm stuck on a couple of projects now too. Studying other books and how they're handled is a fantastic way of getting unstuck!

Valarie Giogas

3/4/2016 03:53:57 pm

I love when the illustrator is able to put some fun twists or something unexpected that adds to the text. This is a great list of books to study. TY.

Janee

3/4/2016 05:32:36 pm

I love that too, Valarie!

Cindy Jolley

3/4/2016 04:58:00 pm

I love what you said about how letting illustrations tell a part of the story that the text doesn’t invites our audience in and gives them a chance to more actively participate as “readers” instead of just listeners. Thanks for a great list of mentor texts, and I love Caveman A B.C. Story. Such a clever way to tell a story with illustrations and only 26 words! Also thanks for taking time to talk with me about writing and illustrating that day I saw you at the Grapevine Library.

Janee

3/4/2016 05:33:11 pm

Thanks you, Cindy! And I always love to talk about writing and illustrating!

mona

3/4/2016 05:29:24 pm

Thanks, Janee, for this great list. I think this is the hardest kind of book for me to ever consider writing.

Janee

3/4/2016 05:34:05 pm

It doesn't have to be a wordless book for you to leave room for the illustrations to tell part of the story. You can do it!

Suzanne Poulter Harris

3/4/2016 09:21:40 pm

Love this post and the great mentor texts. I'm working on finding that balance - leaving room for the illustrator to tell their half of the story but at the same time trying not to add too many art notes.

Patricia Nozell

3/4/2016 10:00:13 pm

Thanks for sharing this awesome list. I can't wait to dive in & study them!

lilli

3/4/2016 10:08:12 pm

This is a nice list! I really like seeing how the pictures support, enrich, and add the text and how the text lays the groundwork for the pictures to play off of. It creates such an interesting push and pull.

dfrybarger

3/4/2016 10:43:06 pm

ThanKs for the great post! Can't wait to find these titles!

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/4/2016 11:10:57 pm

Just ordered your suggestions from my library. Thank you! Wishing you continued success on creating picture books.

Caroline Webster link

3/5/2016 01:47:57 am

Thank you! I can't wait to study these titles for some creative inspiration :-).

Ellen Leventhal

3/5/2016 11:25:24 am

Love the list of books! I need to keep this post in front of me when I am tempted to write too much! Thanks!

Robin Currie link

3/5/2016 05:02:19 pm

Just read Moo! by David LaRochelle (Author), Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator). How do you suppose the art notes looked on that?

Karen Bell

3/5/2016 05:03:34 pm

Thanks Janee for the great list of books. I enjoyed reading and studying how each used the illustrations to add additional information to the story. Fun~

Lauri Meyers link

3/6/2016 09:43:36 am

Great post Janee!

Claire Noland link

3/6/2016 10:59:10 am

Janee - wow! Great post on something that is hard to do for someone who is a writer not an illustrator.

Marilyn Garcia

3/6/2016 11:35:52 am

I have to admit - I have never picked up any of the "Flora" books. Well, after reading one, I am taking it to my school to read with my English Language Learner kids. They will love being able to fully enjoy the story just like everyone else!

Ellen Leventhal

3/6/2016 12:10:56 pm

I have just resurrected an old mss in which the story is very much illustration driven. I didn't really know how to format it, but your post and the mentor texts are definitely helping. Thanks!

Linda Kujawski link

3/6/2016 05:04:22 pm

Thanks for this post, Janee. So helpful. Because I have a background in art and I am not an illustrator, I tried to use words to paint the pictures. Too many words! Now I see it more as a dance with words and pictures. Your suggestions were great and the mentor texts are fabulous. Thanks.

Linda Thomas

3/6/2016 06:01:20 pm

Thank you, Janee, for sharing this book list and your insights! I just loved Sam and Dave Dig a Hole! Seeing the story in the illustrations behind the story in the text made me laugh out loud :-)

Helen Dening link

3/6/2016 06:11:14 pm

I love the FLORA books- great cuddling reading books. I've re-read favorite books with a text, except this time reading them without the words- letting the illustrations talk. Thank you!

Erik Weibel link

3/6/2016 06:39:18 pm

These are such great examples of awesome illustrations! Good illustrations add so much to a story. As a reviewer, I really enjoy books where the text and illustrations play on each other.

Jena Benton

3/6/2016 11:41:24 pm

What a great study! I struggle as a writer to know how to leave room for illustrators. Thank you for gathering this collection for us to study.

Bruna de luca

3/7/2016 02:01:28 am

Suffering from a bad case of author/illustrator-envy here. But of course, even if we can't all learn to draw, we can think visually and learn how to leave room for illustrations,

Really helpful,
Thanks!

Ashley Pierson

3/7/2016 09:31:09 am

Thank you Janee! Great post and great selections!

Sherri Jones Rivers link

3/7/2016 10:19:57 am

You are definitely helping me broaden my learning curve. Love these sample books.

LuAnn Kern

3/7/2016 10:39:39 am

Truly one of the most challenging aspects of writing picture books, especially if one is not an illustrator. Thanks for these great examples.

Sherry Howard link

3/7/2016 01:03:19 pm

Thanks for the great list. The HARDEST part of PB writing to learn for me has been trusting the illustrator. If you're not artistic, it takes a special revision just for that element of the writing.

Lenne' Musarra

3/7/2016 02:38:14 pm

I am learning how important it is to reread and reread picture books. I learn something new every time! And I find that a book that at first appeared to be "nothing special", grows on me and my audience. Thanks for the reminder to leave room for illustrator magic!

Kristen Schroeder

3/7/2016 02:55:32 pm

As I learn to think in pictures, not just words, my writing is improving so much! And that results in fewer words on the page. Weird, huh?

Suzy Leopold

3/7/2016 06:30:10 pm

It's amazing to me how an illustrator continues the story after the words are written by the author. Thank you, Janee.

Kristen Browning

3/7/2016 11:13:11 pm

Thanks for the great post. Molly Idle's illustrations are amazing--how much emotion and humor she conveys through facial expressions, even through Flora's eyebrows. I especially appreciated the examples of Tammi Sauer's and of Dan Santat's language--great models for leaving room for the illustrator (even if the latter did both!)

Annie Bailey

3/7/2016 11:28:31 pm

Love these suggestions! My kids thought Shh! We have a Plan was hilarious.

Karla Valenti

3/8/2016 05:22:00 am

One of the most interesting things I read about the interplay between words and art is to think of the author/illustrator as being in a 50/50 collaboration where they are each conveying their own version of the story. The author does so through words, the artist through images. It is not necessarily the illustrator's job to draw the author's vision but rather to draw their own version of the same story. Some of the books we (I) love the most are those where this is exactly what happens - the words tell a story and the art adds another layer to the storytelling. Thank you for sharing your input on this, I found it very eye opening and inspiring!

Anne Young

3/8/2016 07:32:44 am

Thank you for this, Janee. Following my reading, I was able to drop a few illustration instructions in one of my manuscripts. I had thought they were necessary. I was mistaken.

Sandy Perlic

3/8/2016 10:13:30 pm

So many great examples to study: thank you! It's lovely when a picture book's illustrations and text work hand-in-hand.

Anne-Marie Strohman

3/9/2016 12:00:47 pm

Thanks for the great examples!

Nadine Gamble link

3/10/2016 07:29:22 am

Great post! Definitely going to check out your book!

Ali Bovis

3/10/2016 11:19:59 am

Thanks so much for this post. My word count tends to run high and these are amazing mentor texts to teach and remind me to allow the illustrations to tell a part of the story the text does not. Thanks!!

Wendy Greenley

3/14/2016 03:30:40 pm

I'm not an illustrator, so this is tough sometimes! I want to be inside your head. :)

sharon langley link

3/14/2016 07:08:32 pm

I can be kind of wordy at times...being succinct is sometimes a challenge.

Linda Hofke

3/14/2016 08:04:02 pm

when I first started writing I would add so many illustration notes. I've learned to minimize or eliminate thoughs. I also read many interviews by authors as to what they wrote and what more the illustrator brought to the story.

Thanks for all the great examples.

L. M. Quraishi link

3/15/2016 11:09:58 pm

Your Alien was so touching and funny. Loved the endpapers! Perfectly timed turns in the story.

Chantra Tham

3/16/2016 12:46:00 am

Thank you for your insight. It really helps me with thinking about illustrating expressively and actively. Thanks for sharing.

L. Michelle Quraishi link

3/16/2016 12:40:27 pm

Now I'm on my fourth re-read of Your Alien, and floored with admiration for the "space" left for illustrations. Seems to me like the only art notes Tammi Sauer might have needed were on the first and last spreads. Something like [spaceship lands in backyard, alien emerges] and [parents coming back for another hug goodnight]. All the rest appears to be this wonderful imagined collaboration with the artist. My absolute favorite is "You'll also decide to add a few extras here and there." What execution in the illustration!

Lynn Alpert link

3/17/2016 12:51:02 am

Great titles - thanks Janee!

Myrna Foster

3/17/2016 02:23:32 am

Thanks for this post! These are great examples.

Dina Ticas

3/19/2016 11:34:02 am

These book selections were wonderful. One of the things that draws me to PBs is the way that authors and illustrators work together (unbeknownst to either of them) to create a masterpiece of expression.

Jill Jeffries

3/19/2016 05:08:22 pm

Words and illustrations together should tell the whole story. Thank you for your ideas and reminding me! I really appreciate it.

Gabrielle Schoeffield

3/20/2016 09:16:28 am

I used the inspiration from this post to write another ms about a kitty.
Thanks so much!

Lynne Marie link

3/29/2016 05:24:08 pm

Leaving room for the illustrations is a great tip. Thanks, Janee!

ReFoReMo Day 3: Janee Trasler Leaves Room for Illustrations

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