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ReFoReMo Day 7:  Tara Lazar Dates Picture Books

3/8/2015

116 Comments

 
by Tara Lazar

About once a month I go out on a date.  Yes, I’m married, but don’t get the wrong idea.  I take myself out on this date….to Barnes and Noble.

Before you get all “support indies” on me…I go TO LOOK. It’s a research trip.

Which books are displayed face out?
What book is B&N’s “Picture Book of the Month”?

Picture
These are the books in which the publishers are invested—the ones they think will do well and deserve such premiere placement. They have paid for the privilege to get their books front and center.

As I stroll through the picture books, I take note of each book’s subject matter. What’s on the cover? How is it drawing my attention?

Picture
Picture
Of interest this trip is Ame Dyckman and Zacharia OHora’s WOLFIE THE BUNNY. Look at how that bright yellow background and those bold black strokes stand out.

What I also notice about this book is that it contains a common theme—a new baby in the family. However, this isn’t about a human baby with a big sister or brother whining about it, which you often see in new writers’ manuscripts…no…

…it’s about a baby wolf being adopted into a bunny family! How brilliant! Ame takes a common theme and completely turns it on its little fluffy tail.

Dot, the big bunny sister, is very concerned with the new family addition: “He’s going to eat us all up!” This is Dot’s repetitive refrain through the book. Little readers will love pretending to be Dot. And the wee ones who aren’t reading yet will hear this line repeatedly and begin to make connections to the words on the page. 

WOLFIE THE BUNNY offers a fresh twist on the baby theme. So this is what I want you to look out for as you’re reading this month. All these books take something familiar and transform it into something new.
Picture
Got a holiday idea? See HERE COMES THE EASTER CAT. 
Got a birthday idea? See THE BACKWARDS BIRTHDAY PARTY. (I loved this page. Even the common birthday party game was turned around!)

Picture
Picture
Got a lullaby idea? See GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE.
Got a friend idea? See PEANUT BUTTER AND CUPCAKE.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Got a babysitting idea? See HOW TO BABYSIT A GRANDMA or GRANDPA. (Way to attract the grandparent market! They love buying books!)
Got a bedtime idea? See GOODNIGHT ALREADY.
Got an imaginary friend idea? See UNI THE UNICORN and BEEKLE.

Picture
Picture
Got a new pet idea? See ME WANT PET or CHILDREN MAKE TERRIBLE PETS.

All these books think “outside the box”. ME WANT PET is set in caveman times and written in caveman language.
Kids love to bring stray pets home to ask “can I keep him?” But what happens when a bear wants to keep a pet boy?

Picture
Picture
Look at the covers. What pictures will attract children? Construction trucks!  Cupcakes! Saber-toothed tigers! Grandparents! Unicorns! These are all things that kids LOVE. They’ll go dashing over, pick these books up and shake them in their parents faces. "Please, oh, Please?!"

Make sure what you’re writing about is equally attractive to a kid’s eyes. Don’t write yet another common story. Read this month to discover what makes each book fresh and special, and then infuse your story with your own dose of magic.

Remember, take yourself out on a date this month. Heck, maybe even treat yourself twice. You deserve it!

Picture
Street magic performer. Hog-calling champion. Award-winning ice sculptor. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes quirky, humorous picture books featuring magical places that adults never find.

Her debut picture book, THE MONSTORE, is available now from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster. Her other books coming soon are:
  • I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK (Aladdin/S&S, Aug 2015)
  • NORMAL NORMAN (Sterling, Sept 2015)
  • LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD (Random House Children’s, Oct 2015)
  • WAY PAST  BEDTIME (Aladdin/S&S, 2016)
  • 7 ATE 9: THE UNTOLD STORY (Disney*Hyperion, 2017)
Tara is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.



116 Comments
Myrna Foster link
3/6/2015 06:19:09 pm

Thanks for the book recommendations and ideas! I haven't read some of these.

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Maria Laso
3/6/2015 08:35:23 pm

Tara, you're a rock star!

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Derick Wilder
3/6/2015 09:46:14 pm

Whew - thanks so much for this post, Tara. Glad to know I'm not the only one who uses B & N for research on the latest books that "sell". Sometimes, for cover, I take my 6-year-old girl, so I can pretend I'm spending so much time in the children's section for her. ;)

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Sharon Giltrow
3/6/2015 11:01:54 pm

Thanks for showing us how to think outside the box 😁

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Linda Schueler link
3/6/2015 11:03:11 pm

Great! I am taking myself out for a date soon.

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Marianne Kuzujanakis
3/6/2015 11:12:48 pm

Great list of books & superb reminder that we must strive to stay "out-of-the-box" in our writing (and illustrating). Thanks, Tara!

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Doris Stone
3/6/2015 11:25:37 pm

Thank you Tara! I'm excitedly planning my date right now!

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Laura Renauld
3/6/2015 11:37:41 pm

There's nothing new under the sun, and yet it is our responsibility to make childhood themes fresh and unique. Thank you for the great examples!

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Lisa Connors link
3/6/2015 11:38:13 pm

I need a new date. Clearly my public library is not hip enough as I only know half of your example titles. Thanks for the ideas. I'm very curious about your book, 7 Ate 9!

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Tara Lazar link
3/8/2015 03:30:04 am

It's the story of the joke, about a frightened "6" who goes to a Private "I" to learn if the rumors about "7" are really true...."I'm afraid my days are numbered!"

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Erin Nowak link
3/6/2015 11:41:05 pm

I've taken myself on a date before to research the newest books, but I look forward to my next date where I will pay close attention to the marketing of new books. Thanks Tara!

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Linda Carpenter link
3/6/2015 11:52:05 pm

Tara,
Many thanks for the great insight. I do spend a lot of time in Barnes and Nobel checking out the books well displayed.
Thinking out of the box is a great reminder.
Great presentation to Day 7!

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Therese Nabi
3/7/2015 12:05:15 am

Tara thanks for great idea! I can't wait go on a date to the book store.

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Laura Lee Malesh
3/7/2015 12:05:20 am

Great post Tara! Your fun personality comes through with your words and selections. I am excited to read and get inspired to turn my ideas on their heads. Thank you!

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Sue Poduska
3/7/2015 12:13:39 am

Hi, Tara! Love your list. Promise to take myself on a date soon.

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Juliana Lee link
3/7/2015 12:15:04 am

Date...Field Trip... Same Thing.
I love everything about bookstores, the smells, the sounds, the beauty, the feel, and yes even the taste if they have a good cafe!

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Lane Arnold link
3/7/2015 12:20:11 am

Noticing the what and why and how of a bookstore on a book date??? Looks delicious! Count me in!

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Heidi Yates
3/7/2015 12:21:51 am

I love the idea of a date to the bookstore. I am looking forward to reading the stories you've mentioned in this wonderful post Tara. Thank you!

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Kirsti Call link
3/7/2015 12:25:30 am

Tara, I LOVED this post! Thanks for helping me thinking about how to infuse magic into my story and using mentor texts to do that!

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Elaine Kiely Kearns
3/7/2015 12:45:06 am

Such a great post, thanks Tara!!!

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Sydney O'Neill
3/7/2015 01:10:23 am

Thanks for these recommendations, Tara. THE MONSTORE is another great fresh take on a universal theme.

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Julie Burchstead
3/7/2015 01:12:20 am

Hi Tara,
I don't know why it never occurred to me that marketing drives book placement though it makes perfect sense. I am having a "Duh Ralph" moment. I will see my local bookstore through new eyes! Thanks for the list. I am headed to the library.

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Robin Currie link
3/7/2015 01:20:37 am

I was at B&N yesterday and saw exactly what you describe! I also was overloaded with racks of series books and movie tie ins. How many Pete the Cat books are there now? Then I looked for some of the best titles on our recent lists - tracking Z is for Moose - and there did not appear to be anything older than 18 months unless it had a Caldecott or a later spin off. Wow!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/7/2015 01:26:26 pm

A true testament to how competitive the picture book market is and how much we can learn from what is being published today. Sounds like you had a great research date! :)

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Tara Lazar link
3/8/2015 03:33:21 am

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site is still out as is Dragons Love Tacos. Both older titles, about 2-3 years old! That's staying power!

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Juliann (Juli) Caveny
3/7/2015 01:27:22 am

I'm a firm believer in "DATING"...Last Monday I picked-up--ME WANT PET and read it to my 7th/8th grade students on Read Aloud Day. (My nickname name at school and pretty much everywhere is CAVEWOMAN so it's only fitting...) They loved it! It's so simply yet the wc conveys so much! (Plus it's the perfect example of narrative plot-3 set up!)

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/7/2015 01:21:26 pm

Tammi's books are prime plot examples! I love that you are reading picture books to 7th/8th graders! :)

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Jennette Mutolo
3/7/2015 01:32:44 am

Thanks Tara! Love the above titles! More food for thought....makes me hungry :-)

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Rita Lorraine link
3/7/2015 01:39:11 am

Hi Tara, thanks for all these wonderful suggestions. I read this post just in time! I was on my way to the library, but now I can add these titles to my TBR stack.

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Manju Howard link
3/7/2015 01:44:19 am

Thank you, Tara! Product placement is a great way to gage a publisher's interest in a book. All books are not treated equally.

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Elaine Hillson
3/7/2015 01:47:20 am

Great post Tara. Thanks for such a wonderful idea! I can't wait go on a date to my local book store.

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Angela Hawkins link
3/7/2015 01:51:03 am

YES! Finally someone telling me to go to a bookstore...by myself! :) Thanks so much Tara!

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Lori Dubbin
3/7/2015 01:52:37 am

I'm going on a date to the book store dressed as Wolfie, the bunny and am going to "eat up" everything that's out-of-the-box :) Thanks, Tara, for great ideas that always keep writers going.

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Patricia Toht
3/7/2015 02:06:26 am

Great post, Tara! I love how all of these books take a common theme and tumble it about. Some of my favorites on this list, for sure.

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Jodi Moore
3/7/2015 02:10:45 am

Great post! I, too, love a good date night. :) Thanks for all of the fantastic suggestions.

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JEN Garrett link
3/7/2015 02:30:58 am

What a great idea! I need to date the bookstore more.
I don't have a Barnes and Nobles nearby, so I do something that works ALMOST as well in the meantime. I watch which books children pick up in the library. What is it about the covers that made children choose that book? This helps me know what the kids are reading, but it doesn't help me see what books publishers have paid prime bookstore real estate for.

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Joanne Sher link
3/7/2015 03:06:57 am

LOVE this idea, Jen!

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Sue Heavenrich
3/7/2015 02:36:31 am

I used to do this about once a month.... but this winter I've been snowed in (depending on interlibrary loan). As soon as the clock springs forward, I'm heading down to B&N for a long-awaited picture book date. Thanks for reminding us how fun it is! Oh yeah, and there's a "real" reason as well...

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Debra Daugherty
3/7/2015 02:51:54 am

I've been dating books for years. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Great post!

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Rachel Hamby link
3/7/2015 02:58:26 am

Some great books to help us study twists, thx Tara. :)

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AJ Irving link
3/7/2015 02:58:42 am

Thank you for another fantastic post, Tara!

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Joanne Sher link
3/7/2015 03:03:47 am

Okay - I TOTALLY need to do this. When I am done here, I'm gonna PUT IT on my calendar! SO much to learn! And these books all look FABULOUS - requested several (and discovered/confirmed that I can only request 15 books total through my library card. May have to confiscate my kids' cards!!). And yes, Tara - you ARE a rock star! So many fabulous ideas, and a great perspective!

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Kathy Mazurowski
3/7/2015 03:09:25 am

My friend and I call these "field trips". (Ok, we are teachers.) We also find a nice place for lunch. Thanks for the reminder that we need to do this more often!

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Val McCammon
3/7/2015 03:14:52 am

Looking at such a trip as a date with ourselves is perfect -- and so re-energizing. Thanks, Tara!

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Danielle Dufayet link
3/7/2015 03:29:59 am

Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to read your new books. Congrats on your success!

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Keila Dawson link
3/7/2015 03:41:17 am

Thanks for all the recommendations and insight. Field trip!

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Renee Kirchner
3/7/2015 03:42:12 am

I always look for an excuse for a field trip to a bookstore. Thanks for all the great reading recommendations!

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B.J. Lee link
3/7/2015 04:18:07 am

Wonderful post! Love all these book titles! A date to the bookstore is long overdue for me!:) Thank you, Tara!

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Kristi Veitenheimer link
3/7/2015 04:40:10 am

Great advice! I need to set up a date!

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Jarmila Del Boccio link
3/7/2015 04:45:01 am

Thanks,Tara, for this new list of fun PBs to pour over. You always have great ideas!

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janet smart link
3/7/2015 04:45:30 am

great post, great books and great ideas. And, what a great lineup of books that Tara is going to have published!

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Gabrielle Snyder
3/7/2015 04:46:41 am

Thanks, Tara, for the great list of books that take something familiar and transform it into something new. And I'll be sure to take myself to the bookstore, too!

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Rena Traxel
3/7/2015 05:20:04 am

I so love going to the bookstore. I'm usually the one sitting on the floor reading all the books.

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shirley johnson
3/7/2015 05:44:45 am

Enjoyed this post! Love the bookstore. Great list of books.

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Angela Turner
3/7/2015 06:18:23 am

Great advice Tara. I have read some of your examples and looking forward to going hunting myself.

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Donna Cangelosi link
3/7/2015 06:28:18 am

Fun post, Tara! I go on bookstore dates with my teenage daughters about once a month. They go to the YA section and meet me in the children's section after they find books to read. I'm always behind a huge pile. I then share the great ones with them! It's one of my favorite mother-daughter rituals:)

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Deborah Allmand
3/7/2015 09:20:16 am

I truly had never thought of asking 'What if?' for a picture book plot. Brillant!! With such limited words it never seemed an option but now I see it can be done! Thanks Tara for such a great post. I have learned so much. Looking forward to reading and studying picture books in a whole new way.

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Sandy Perlic
3/7/2015 10:13:44 am

I love browsing at Barnes & Noble! Thanks for all of the great examples to research.

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Laura J / Laura Jenkins link
3/7/2015 10:13:48 am

Great post. Thanks!

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Kaye Baillie link
3/7/2015 10:14:18 am

Tara, I just love this post. It got me all excited to be thinking about inside-out or back-to-front or whatever, but to look at stories differently. Fantastic examples, which I have read about half of and have ordered 'Wolfie' which really stands out to me.

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Joyce Tucker link
3/7/2015 10:17:43 am

Awesome post! Thank you so much Tara. I need to be looking differently when I hangout in the children's section at bookstores.

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Janie Reinart
3/7/2015 10:58:32 am

Tara your bio cracked me up! Lol Love the idea of a date at the bookstore to find the magic that is out of the box. Thanks for the great stack of books to check out. Congrats on your new releases ! Woohoo

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Katie McEnaney link
3/7/2015 11:11:59 am

Great point that perusing book stores can really show you what sellers are seeking and what seems to be selling!

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Heather Pierce Stigall
3/7/2015 11:55:00 am

Our critique group usually meets at B & N so I often go a little early to check out the children's section. I could stay there all day! I've read several books in your post and agree they create a great twist on familiar themes. Thanks for posting these and some others that I'm looking forward to reading.

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Cassie Bentley
3/7/2015 12:06:35 pm

I love your sense of humor. I rewarded myself with a date at a local independent bookstore: Changing Hands in Tempe, Az. There was a reading of Dr. Seuss books and the Cat was there to take pictures with. I enjoyed watching the preschoolers wiggling and listening to the story.

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Debbie LaCroix link
3/7/2015 12:30:49 pm

Awesome! I go to both B&N and our Indie, because they show different books. I haven't been in a while. Time for a date!

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Vivian Kirkfield link
3/7/2015 12:59:53 pm

Now that's what I call a date that won't disappoint, Tara. ;) ;)
Seriously, thanks so much for the out-of-the-box examples...we need to think change it up when we write.

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Julie Campbell link
3/7/2015 01:57:36 pm

What a great post, Tara! Can't wait to take myself on a date and check out your recommendations!, Also love participating in your PiBoIdMo every year! :-)

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Kristen Kirwan Browning
3/7/2015 02:41:58 pm

Thanks for the inspiration! I can't wait to read the books on your list.

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Annette Bay Pimentel link
3/7/2015 03:08:01 pm

Thanks for this new perspective on a research trip!

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Marlaina Gray Cockcroft link
3/7/2015 03:36:44 pm

Always happy to have another reason to go to the bookstore. :)

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karen nordseth roos
3/7/2015 04:41:49 pm

thanks for the reminder to stay fresh and think different.

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Saba
3/7/2015 04:43:21 pm

It's so funny, I just recently went to B&N and was checking out the books, displays and covers! Wolfie the Bunny caught my eye as well. :D These are great tips. Thank you, Tara.

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Yvonne Mes link
3/7/2015 05:47:25 pm

Dear Tara,
Thanks for the dating advice! Sounds like the best kind of dating to me.

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Rebecca Colby
3/7/2015 08:52:29 pm

Don't tell my husband, but I often look forward to my alone dates to bookstores the most! :) Loved reading your post and the books it featured! Off to research a few of them now...

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Cathy Ballou Mealey link
3/7/2015 11:44:22 pm

I love to hang out at B&N on a "date" as well. What amazes me is how HIGH the shelves are in the children's section outside of the display at the "entrance" to the kids section. I think more kids can see the books on the bottom shelf best! Thanks Tara for so many fab titles - lots of my favorites!

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Doreen Lepore link
3/8/2015 01:27:52 am

Great list - thanks!

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Laurie J. Edwards link
3/8/2015 03:10:13 am

Looks like I'll be going on a lot of dates in the near future. :-)

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Maria Gianferrari link
3/8/2015 03:33:59 am

Can't think of a more fun date!! I'm a huge fan of Deborah Underwood's Cat books--they're hilarious! Looking forward to the tooth fairy & valentine's cat books! Thanks, Tara!

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Lauri Meyers link
3/8/2015 04:36:21 am

Great! It's not always easy to search for books on a specific theme, though my librarian is a great resource. But...even though my library has a pretty darn good book budget, their selection is almost always completely different than B&N.

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Suzy Leopold
3/8/2015 05:35:51 am

Tara! Thank you for the excellent book recommendations. I have read most of them. I look forward to reading all. I, too like book *store dates*. My husband and I often end up at a book store while out and about on a date.

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Stephanie Geckle link
3/8/2015 06:39:07 am

These are all great examples. Thank you for this thought-provoking post!

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Chana Stiefel link
3/8/2015 07:02:06 am

Great picks, Tara! B & N is our book museum (unless Grandma gives us gift cards for our b-days). Thanks for sharing.

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Penny Parker Klostermann link
3/8/2015 07:03:32 am

Thanks for the awesome recommendations, Tara. I've read most of them but am on a quest to find the others! My quest will probably include a date :-)

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Rene` Diane Aube
3/8/2015 07:54:36 am

Your tips on what to look for on a Barnes & Noble date are VERY helpful. :) Other than finding books that I love, I wasn't sure exactly what it meant to do research on picture books when I was able to get away to the book store. Thank you, so much, Tara.

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Kathy Phillips
3/8/2015 08:07:30 am

Thank you for the awesome post Tara :)

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Denise Engle
3/8/2015 10:55:00 am

Tara, you won't hear "support Indies" from me! I am a Barnes and Noble junkie. I sit and read. Sit and read. Sit and read!!!

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Ann Magee
3/8/2015 12:36:07 pm

Thanks, Tara, for this awesome list--I definitely need to check some of these out!

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Helen Dening link
3/8/2015 01:38:50 pm

Thanks Tara. I'm planning a date....maybe I'll even invite my husband.

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Kathleen Cornell Berman
3/8/2015 02:00:35 pm

Love your list of books to gets us out of that box. Thanks!

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MaDonna Maurer link
3/8/2015 09:03:38 pm

I love this idea, but I have a problem. I live overseas and the English bookstores usually display ESL type books. They do have a good selection of other books - but not displayed like what you described. I liked what another commenter wrote, about going to the library and watching to see what the children are picking out - THAT might work at the school library.
Question though - Do online stores do something like this; have featured books of the month that publishers pay to have "displayed"? Just wondering as that is something I could easily check out until I get to the US and get a "real date" in.

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Catherine Friess link
3/8/2015 09:48:46 pm

I love bookshop and library dates :) Thank you for this great list Tara, am going to see if I can find more in my own library.

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Caroline Twomey link
3/9/2015 12:25:27 am

That's a fantastic idea Tara-thank you! I usually take note of which books stand out to me but looking for the why-brush strokes, colours, themes etc. is a fantastic additional level to watch out for! I'm taking myself on a date this week lol!!! ") By the way I'm still revved up from PiBoIdMo-love having a whole pile of ideas to go to each month!!!

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Debra Shumaker
3/9/2015 01:22:05 am

Thanks for a great post Tara!

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Leslie Goodman link
3/9/2015 03:30:40 am

I love this collection of books - common theme with a fresh twist!
I've read a number of these, and I'm happy to see there are more to check out at the library.

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Valerie Larson-Howard
3/9/2015 03:43:15 am

I regularly go to Barnes and Noble and do the exact thing you suggested. I often think, "How can I write a book that will fit in with the today's market but also stand out among the others?" It is tricky, but activities like the trips to B&N will help. (I should also note that in gathering my books to study for ReFoReMo, I've included one of my favorites, The Monstore. I love the language and the brother/sister relationship. I love the squirmy worms and the craziness of how they keep adding more monsters. I read it to a kindergarten class last year, and they loved it so much I had to loan it to them for a week. Although we did have a question, what is crab leg casserole? Sounds disgusting.)

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Linda Kujawski
3/9/2015 03:59:25 am

Thanks, Tara. Heading to my local bookstore this week with list in hand. Great suggestions from an amazing writer. Thank you!!!

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Sandy Powell
3/9/2015 04:47:16 am

I admit I love going into Barnes and Noble for many reasons, and I know to go in there and check out what's in the children's section, but you have given us a different approach to this idea. Thanks, and thanks for all you do for the picture book world.

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Noel Csermak
3/9/2015 06:22:30 am

Thank you Tara, you always seem to have a fresh way to present your ideas. Can't wait for date night!

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Michele Katz link
3/9/2015 08:37:58 am

Great post, Tara! I go on that very same date! :)

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Maria Marshall
3/9/2015 09:03:36 am

Tara, EASTER CAT and BEEKLE immediately caught my attention on a recent "date" in Barnes & Noble. I love the interaction with the "voiceless" cat. How creative and fun! I can't wait to beack and read the others you mentioned. Thank you.

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Rachel link
3/9/2015 11:59:42 am

Wow, you discovered a stack of unique books with fabulous titles and eye-catching covers. I really liked Me Want Pet and Beekle.

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Zainab
3/9/2015 06:30:58 pm

I'm itching to try out your theory at my B&N. I'm off to B&N tomorrow. Thank you.

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Ashley Bankhead
3/10/2015 05:36:14 am

I love going to Barnes and Noble to browse, look around, and see what's new. It really is a fun date. ;)

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Darshana Khiani
3/10/2015 07:48:28 am

Thanks Tara! Bookstore dates are the best!

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Jilanne Hoffmann
3/10/2015 02:00:47 pm

Am I at a disadvantage in that I live in San Francisco and only shop at Indies? So I'll never see the key marketing displays?

Great picks! Beekle is now one of my faves. And I love the inspired art for Peanut Butter and Cupcake! Just ordered it from the library. Can't wait to see the whole book.

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Carrie Finison
3/12/2015 02:16:54 am

Great idea! I do stop into the bookstore when I can, but I like the idea of making a point of going and really analyzing the displays.

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Mary Worley
3/12/2015 02:47:28 am

Good reminder to not just look at books for what pleases us but with an eye towards what is succeeding. Gives us ideas for how to tweak our revision efforts. Thank You!

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Gina Silvester
3/12/2015 04:29:39 am

gonna have to read all of these again and again......biggest struggle is getting that new spin on an old subject

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Teresa MI Schaefer link
3/15/2015 03:40:34 pm

Thanks Tara. You deserve it and I deserve it--dates that is!

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Beth Gallagher
3/18/2015 02:10:21 am

Fantastic post, Tara! Thank you for the recommendations. Well, off to the library and bookstore! :D

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Jeanette Bradley
3/30/2015 01:44:28 am

You inspired me to take myself out for a date to B&N and check out the displays. The salespeople were suspicious of my taking notes on which books were face out. I think they thought I was a mystery shopper. Very fun.

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Karen Nordseth Roos
3/30/2015 04:38:54 pm

thank you for the reminder, tara. it's so fun (and important) to check out the bookstore! i admit to taking surreptitious iPhone photos of various books that i resonate with...

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Anita Banks
3/31/2015 04:32:57 am

Thank you for the suggestions!

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Amie Valore-Caplan
3/31/2015 06:53:40 am

Tara, thank you so much for the many ways you inspire us! Thanks for the reminder to do research in bookstores as well!

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Ellen Sirianni
3/31/2015 11:57:59 am

Great post! I am definitely taking myself out on a date.

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