ReFoReMo Day 9: Maria Gianferrari Crosses Genres

3/9/2016

My manuscripts often change genres during revision. Don’t be afraid to read across genres to find the best mentor text!

For humorous, engaging voice, read Bridget Heos’s I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are:

Fun fly facts and clever word play from beginning to back matter.

For packing an emotional punch:

Jessixa Bagley’s Boats for Papa:

Eve Bunting’s Yard Sale:

For theme, Barbara Kerley’s A Home for Mr. Emerson:

From its opening to its ending, Kerley’s biography poignantly focuses on hearth and home.

My go-to book for rhyme, rhythm and refrain is the lyrical lullaby, You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple:

Read what you don’t write, cross genres, experiment—you never know where you’ll find inspiration!

Maria is giving away a copy of PENNY & JELLY: THE SCHOOL SHOW and book swag, too! Thanks so much, Maria! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Maria’s debut picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show released in July 2015. Three books are forthcoming in 2016: Penny & Jelly Slumber Under the Stars (June); Coyote Moon (July) and Officer Katz & Houndini: A Tale of Two Tales (October).

408 Comments

Martin Segal link

3/9/2016 05:30:14 am

Thank you for the recommendations, Maria! I've noticed how reading books I normally wouldn't is already having an impact in my writing. Can't wait to read these!

Maria Gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:00:36 am

You're welcome, Martin! You were up early!

Katelyn Aronson

3/9/2016 05:33:36 am

Thanks, Maria. Excellent reminder to write/read outside one's comfort zone. It made me think of how I don't necessarily "gravitate" towards concept or non-fiction picture books, but I need to read more of them. I am SURE that I'm missing some wonderful stuff. Good thing there is ReFoReMo to help me remedy that!

Maria Gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:01:39 am

Indeed, Katelyn! ReFo is great for that. The broader our reading, the better :)

Laura Purdie Salas link

3/9/2016 06:02:25 am

These are lovely books (well, in most cases--the fly one is funny, not necessarily lovely!). I'm missing how they're cross-genre books, though?

Maria Gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:03:27 am

Love your poetic books, Laura! I just meant how we should read across genres (so if you mostly write fiction, read nonfiction). It was so hard to just limit our choices to 5 books. And PB writers should definitely read poetry! I should done a post on that !

Jodi McKay

3/9/2016 06:10:38 am

Thanks, Maria, I will definitely take a look at these. It can be intimidating to try something different, but we will only learn and become better by pushing ourselves into the unknown.

Maria Gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:04:31 am

How true, Jodi! It's scary, exciting, and limitless :)!

Linda Thomas

3/9/2016 06:16:48 am

Thank you, Maria, for the tip to read across genres when researching mentor texts. And I look forward to reading the books on your list as well as your books!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:05:01 am

Thanks so much, Linda :)!

Lauri Meyers link

3/9/2016 06:18:46 am

I really need to do a better job of pinpointing the element that really worked for me in a book. Sometimes it's just more of a lovely feeling, which I don't penetrate. Guess that can be my reforemo challenge:)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:07:41 am

That can be a hard one, Lauri. I highly recommend typing out texts. It just slows the whole process down even more than reading aloud (which we all should do). Maybe that will help you discover how the pieces fit together better.

Andrea Mack link

3/9/2016 07:49:29 am

I do that a lot! I find it really helps me think more about how the text and illustrations work together, as well as how the pacing and page turns are working.

Rebecca Colby

3/9/2016 06:20:45 am

Thanks, Maria! I look forward to reading your recommendations.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:08:07 am

You're welcome, Rebecca & thanks for stopping by to comment!

Karla Valenti

3/9/2016 06:25:29 am

This is a great selection, Maria, and excellent advice! Thank you.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:09:31 am

Thanks, Karla!! Are you Karla VA??

Heather Pierce Stigall link

3/9/2016 06:27:03 am

Thanks for the recommendations! I haven't read all of these yet.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:09:48 am

Enjoy, Heather!

Donna Cangelosi link

3/9/2016 06:31:34 am

Thank you for your recommendations, Maria. You Nest With Me is my go to place for rhyme as well. Looking forward to reading the other selections and your forthcoming books.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:10:31 am

You're most welcome, Donna! I'm a bird nerd, so I fell in love with it as soon as I saw Melissa Sweet's cover. It's a gem of a book!

Nina

3/9/2016 06:32:50 am

Thanks for more titles to explore.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:10:53 am

Have fun, Nina!

Denise Engle

3/9/2016 06:37:09 am

Love you selections and post today. I also like The Numberlys by William Joyce as a mentor text for crossing genres after hearing him speak at SCBWI NY and reading his book!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:11:21 am

I don't know that one, Denise--I'll check it out! Thank you!

Anita Jones link

3/9/2016 06:49:45 am

Thank you Maria for your suggestions...I look forward to reading them.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:11:45 am

My pleasure, Anita :)!

Maria Gianferrari link

3/9/2016 06:59:23 am

Thank you so much for having me here, Carrie & Kirsti!! :)

Shelley Kinder

3/9/2016 06:59:51 am

Thank you, Maria, for the cross genre book suggestions. Will have to take a peek!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:12:14 am

I hope you enjoy them, Shelley!

Michele Manning

3/9/2016 07:09:58 am

Enjoyed these selections, Maria! Thank you for sharing them!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:12:53 am

Glad to hear that, Michele!

Sue Poduska

3/9/2016 07:20:38 am

Thank you for this wonderful list! Very helpful.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:40:43 am

You're welcome, Sue!

Sherry Howard link

3/9/2016 07:34:35 am

That's a great selection of books! It's obvious by your publishing schedule that you had a bundle of manuscripts ready to go. Congratulations!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:38:12 am

Many thanks, Sherry!! I think it helps that I write both fiction and nonfiction too :). What do you write??

Sherry Howard link

3/9/2016 02:13:53 pm

I'm new to PB writing. I hope to do both, but fiction is probably going to be my forte. I have ten MS at some stage, but haven't queried any yet. I have one faction, which I do love.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 09:04:23 pm

Good luck as you get into pb writing!

Jess Townes link

3/9/2016 07:39:11 am

Maria, these are wonderful selections. I love the idea of crossing genres and sometimes when an idea finally gets to paper, it's not what you thought in your head. I have one right now that is stubbornly an early chapter book no matter how much I try to make it a PB. I love Penny and Jelly by the way. Penny is such a sweet, relatable character. Excited to see that there is another story for her in the future!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 09:05:43 pm

Strange--I thought I had responded to this! Thanks! I hope you like Penny & Jelly II, Jess :).

Is there one aspect or something more narrow to make a PB from (while still keeping your chapter book?)

joanne sher link

3/9/2016 07:41:53 am

Love these selections - the new to me ones were fabulous- and those I'd read before were already some of my favorites. THANKS so much!!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:19:01 am

You're welcome, Joanne! Glad you discovered some new ones--that's always fun!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 07:42:26 am

Thanks for your kind words about Penny, Jess :)! I love Thyra's art work for book II even more than the first one (and there's a character with a pet rat modeled after me too!)

Is there a way that you could take an aspect of the chapter book, some angle of it that could be worked into a PB? Good luck with it!!

Kathy Halsey

3/9/2016 07:44:43 am

I can not wait for COYOTE MOON! I am going to take your advice and write across genres and let the story be what it WANTS.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:20:05 am

Thanks, Kathy!! That's so nice of you to say! I'm really looking forward to Coyote Moon's release too--it's near & dear to my heart. And we have a mutual friend: Deb Shumaker :)!!

Mary Worley

3/9/2016 07:51:00 am

I'm surprised by how often it happens. I'll pick up a book with my current revision in mind and then the ideas flow for another WIP. It's good but also frustrating at times. Hoping I'll eventually figure out a system to keep the revisions focused long enough to make real progress.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:20:46 am

Mary--having a ReFo notebook is probably a perfect solution! Good luck to you!

Andrea Mack link

3/9/2016 07:53:31 am

I find it so energizing for my writing to read books with different styles, structures or themes. I often try to exercise my writing brain by trying out an idea in a different way.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:21:33 am

It's a great way to approach things--to experiment and play, just like kids do! We all write better books that way! Good luck, Andrea!

Joy Main

3/9/2016 07:55:23 am

Thank you Maria. Although not strictly across genre, I find that my PB ideas and first drafts come into my head already 'decided' as rhyming or not rhyming. Now I'll listen out to see if some of them actually want to be a different genre altogether!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:22:00 am

Very cool, Joy! :)

Terri DeGezelle link

3/9/2016 07:55:39 am

Good Questions Laura, thank you Maria for your comments. I find myself going back to the same genre so thank you for the reminding to step outside my box of books and check out other types of writing. I thought Eve Bunting has a very touching book in today's world. .

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:22:53 am

Thanks, Teri. Yard Sale is so poignant--I wept over that one! It's a lovely book.

Leah Heilman Schanke

3/9/2016 07:55:45 am

What wonderful mentor texts! I particularly loved the contrast with butterflies in I, Fly and the illustrations of the butterfly's reactions. The approach was wonderfully clever.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:23:48 am

I just love the voice in I, Fly, Leah. You might also like What To Expect When You're Expecting Larvae, also by Bridget Heos. It's hilarious!

Linda Chavez

3/9/2016 08:04:28 am

Thanks for the reminder to experiment! I'm headed to the library to find these mentor texts.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:24:05 am

Have fun, Linda!

Sharon Putnam

3/9/2016 08:07:26 am

Thank you for sharing your list of books with us, Maria. As well as reminding us to read and write outside one's comfort zone. I tend to let my story take me wherever it wants to go.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:24:58 am

Thanks for your comment, Sharon! We sometimes have to remind ourselves to enjoy the journey, and the moments along the way too.

Natalie Rompella link

3/9/2016 08:10:09 am

I'm learning how varied pb really are! Thanks for the titles.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:25:21 am

No problem, Natalie!

Anita Banks

3/9/2016 08:10:23 am

Thank you for the list of recommendations.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:25:57 am

My pleasure, Anita!!

Holly Samson Hall

3/9/2016 08:12:16 am

I read and want to write/illustrate EVERYTHING--biographies, non-fiction histories, humorous tales, tearjerkers. Inspiration can come from anywhere!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:26:31 am

That's great, Holly! Good luck!!

Traci Bold link

3/9/2016 08:26:51 am

Maria, like you, I read all genres of books including PB's. In doing this I discovered that one of my books works great as a NF. The mentor texts you chose are all great books with lots of heart.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:27:21 am

I'm glad you liked them, Traci! Good luck with all of your books, especially the NF one--love NF!

Cathy Ballou Mealey link

3/9/2016 08:32:01 am

Lovely theme of 'cozy home' throughout your featured titles Maria - with the I, FLY book added in to keep us on our toes! :-)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:29:02 am

<3 Cathy! I didn't even realize that! But actually I think all of my own work is really about "home" too on many levels. Hugs!

Stephanie Gray

3/9/2016 08:36:50 am

Never thought I'd enjoy a book about flies so much. And I learned a few things too. Also very sorry my library doesn't have Boats for Papa, about which I've heard great things. I may just have to buy it!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:30:15 am

Do they have a suggest a title program, Stephanie? You might try that first, but it's worth buying too! She has a new one out starring a hedgehog & I can't wait to read it. It's called: Before I Leave.

Mike Karg link

3/9/2016 08:36:57 am

Jane Yolen is a great suggestion for exploring other genres -I can't think of a more versatile writer.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:30:50 am

That's so true, Mike! Thanks for your comment!

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/9/2016 08:39:25 am

I read LOTS of picture books during the year. Benefit of REFOREMO: I read books I never would have gravitated to on my own.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:31:23 am

Me, too, Annette!

debbie mccue

3/9/2016 08:43:45 am

Thanks for this post, Maria. And thanks for encouraging me to experiment! That is great advice. I'm looking forward to reading the books you recommend!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:31:44 am

I hope you'll like them, Debbie!

Maria Johnson

3/9/2016 08:44:32 am

Funny that I FLY is one of your 5 recommended reads. I've taken it out of the library 3 times now, perhaps need to own my own copy as I find the approach so fresh and fun. Bridget Heos has such a saucy voice, extremely lively text for nonfiction, but then she also wrote Mustache Baby which is a very saucy fiction PB. Hmmm. Very interesting!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:33:23 am

Hello, from one Maria to another!

I know--it's great! Since you loved I, Fly, you should definitely check out What To Expect When You're Expecting a Larvae--another fun one!

Lori Dubbin

3/9/2016 08:45:06 am

Crossing genres is like cross training for the mind! Thank you for reminding us of that. Thank you for your wonderful post and mentor text suggestions.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:33:49 am

Love the cross-training analogy--that's great, Lori!

AJ Irving link

3/9/2016 08:53:10 am

Great mentor texts! Thank

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:34:15 am

Nice to see you here, AJ, as well as Instagram :)

Lindsay Hanson Metcalf

3/9/2016 08:55:27 am

Reading cross-genre is so important, and I'm grateful for ReFoReMo to challenge me in that direction. Thanks for your post, Maria! Looking forward to your forthcoming books!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:34:40 am

Thank you, Lindsay!!

Juliana Lee link

3/9/2016 09:17:39 am

Yes, I definitely need to cross genres more often. Broaden my horizons, literarily speaking. Two new (to me) titles were Mr. Emerson and I, Fly. I, Fly hit the spot for me... humor, science, first person POV. This is one I would recommend for classes studying life cycles (particularly those fancy shamncy butterflies).

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:35:19 am

And that's exactly what the fly wants--to be studied ;). Thanks, Juliana!

Manju Howard

3/9/2016 09:25:53 am

I agree that reading broadly is very important. I haven't read Home for Mr. Emerson, but it's on my list.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:35:59 am

I hope you'll like it, Manju! I love PB bios--one of my favorite genres! I haven't yet written one though... some day!

Debra Shumaker

3/9/2016 09:29:34 am

Love, love, love your recommendations for mentor texts! And I am SO excited about your upcoming books this year!!!!!! Thanks for a great post, writing friend.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:36:44 am

<3 Deb!!! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Your success is around the corner :)!

Ali Bovis

3/9/2016 09:34:26 am

Thanks so much for the great post and recommendations, Maria! I LOVE Yard Sale and visit it frequently at the book store :) Thanks for your amazing ideas and I am so excited to experiment!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 10:37:44 am

You're welcome, Ali! Does your local library have it? You might try typing up the text, to get an even better understanding/appreciation for it :)

Ali Bovis

3/10/2016 09:59:58 am

Hi Maria, that's a great idea!!! My local library does not have it yet but they are working on it!! It's one of several books I asked if they could order :) In the meantime I like to visit it at the bookstore :) :)

Joana Pastro

3/9/2016 09:35:37 am

Thanks for the great suggestions! I love seeing non-fiction books that are so exciting and fun. Sometimes I go to the library and blindly grab a bunch of books from the shelves to bring home. There is always the thrill of being surprised by books that I might not have checked out otherwise, and it's almost certain I'll get a good variety of genres that way.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:32:16 pm

That's a fun way to do it, Joana!

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/9/2016 09:37:56 am

I never considered crossing genres for mentor texts, so thanks for the ideas! Great post!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:32:38 pm

I hope it will be fun, Kristi!

Alan Elliott link

3/9/2016 09:39:51 am

I enjoyed Yard Sale in particular. My crazy mind flits back and forth in genres so it is good to know that can be an asset.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:33:08 pm

Go for it, Alan! Yard Sale is beautiful on many levels.

Jaclyn Kruzie link

3/9/2016 09:40:51 am

Wonderful advice Maria! I write fiction, but enjoy reading non-fiction. I like the simple and straight forward communication they provide. They style works for fiction as well. Studying non-fiction mentor texts have helped me narrow down my word count use less fluff in a few of my stories :)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:34:04 pm

There's so much creative and engaging and varied nonfiction out there, Jaclyn! I just read & loved Pink is for Blobfish--very fun!

Diane Asyre

3/9/2016 09:43:03 am

Great suggestions - analyzing other good reads can only help. Going back to child and adult classics are my favorite ways to nudge new thought patterns.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:34:36 pm

I agree, Diane! All kinds of books--the more, the better (and movies too!)

Janie Reinart

3/9/2016 09:46:00 am

Maria looking forward to reading Penny and Jelly! Congrats on all your new book babies! I just ordered Boats for Papa from the library.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:35:08 pm

Thanks, Janie! I enjoyed the poetry of your post yesterday :)

Charlotte Dixon

3/9/2016 09:48:52 am

Thank you, Maria, for the crossing genres idea. I'm going to read your examples and see how they might apply to my mss :)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:35:35 pm

Good luck & have fun with them, Charlotte!

Karen Brady link

3/9/2016 09:49:20 am

Another great batch of mentor texts! This post was a wonderful reminder to be open to allowing your writing to go in a direction you may not have originally planned, and the importance of reading a wide variety of picture book types!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:36:25 pm

Go with the flow--sometimes it's hard to let go of our first drafts, Karen, but there's so much promise if we can!

dfrybarger

3/12/2016 08:34:08 pm

Thanks for the great ideas of crossing genres! And I can't wait to read the mentor texts!

Carla Ketner

3/9/2016 10:01:34 am

I like your comment about your books changing genre as you revise. It's a good reminder to remain open to the possibilities!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:36:49 pm

Sometimes I have to remind myself of it too, Carla!

darlene koppel link

3/9/2016 10:04:14 am

Thank you for your recommendations Maria! Looking forward to your new books.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:37:44 pm

Hello Darlene! I remember that you had won a copy of Penny & Jelly last summer! I hope that you're well! :)

Ashley Bankhead

3/9/2016 10:05:25 am

Thanks for this post about reading across other genres to find the best mentor text. This can really help a writer stretch and grow. Thanks for the examples of mentor texts.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:38:29 pm

You're welcome, Ashley!

Marlene Rohr link

3/9/2016 10:15:55 am

Thanks Maria, for the great tips and mentor text suggestions. I find it interesting when reading books with children to observe that what I like in a book isn't always what they like in a book. I also want to be open to new possibilities for my writing journey; not to limit myself to what I feel comfortable with, but to be willing to stretch my comfort zone to try writing in various genres.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:39:09 pm

That's a great way to approach it, Marlene--good luck!

Sandra Jenkins

3/9/2016 10:30:08 am

I have a ms taking me on an unexpected journey across genres. Thanks for the post!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:39:43 pm

New frontiers! Good luck, Sandra!

Sheri Radovich

3/9/2016 10:36:19 am

I enjoyed reading these books but after reading "I Fly..." I was grossed out thinking about the fly metamorphosis. This would be a fun fact book in elementary schools. I could not find Yard Sale in my library and visited the librarian to request they get it. I had a story similar but changed the yard sale part. Great idea for new book. Good choices Maria, would never have found these books.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:41:49 pm

Well I hope you never saw the movie "The Fly" then, Sheri! Now that was gross!

I'm sorry that you weren't able to get a hold of Yard Sale. Do they have a suggest a title program? Ask your librarian the next time you visit.

Gabrielle Snyder link

3/9/2016 10:41:39 am

I love the advice to read what you don't write! This post answered a question I had but didn't know I had. Thank you, Maria!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:42:06 pm

Ellen Leventhal

3/9/2016 10:52:00 am

Great post! One of the many things I love about this group is that is "forces" you to read across genre. By the way, Maria, Penny and Jelly; The School Show is winging its way to my door right now! Can't wait to get it!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:42:45 pm

Nice to see you over here too, Ellen :)! I hope you'll like it!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/9/2016 10:56:52 am

Thanks, Maria. . .good selection!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:43:03 pm

My pleasure, Jarm!

Heidi Yates

3/9/2016 11:03:57 am

Thank you Maria! I love Jane Yolen's book, and can't wait to dive into the rest of the suggested reading.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:43:41 pm

It's so lovely, isn't it, Heidi? And those illustrations are amazing! Melissa Sweet is one of my favorite illustrators!

Bethany Roberts link

3/9/2016 11:05:42 am

Thanks for sharing benefits of reading different genres, and for the excellent book list!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:44:00 pm

Glad you liked it, Bethany!

Brenda Huante

3/9/2016 11:16:33 am

Thanks, Maria! I've read two of your recommended five books. I will try to get the other three.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:44:28 pm

Which ones, Brenda? I hope you'll enjoy the others & find them helpful!

Melissa Stoller link

3/9/2016 11:41:10 am

Thank you Maria - I love your advice to experiment! Finding what works and then finding other avenues that work too is very exciting!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:45:10 pm

You're welcome, Melissa! Experimentation is key--we just have to trust ourselves, and have the courage to try new things.

Janet Smart link

3/9/2016 11:46:24 am

I love all types of picture books - fiction, non fiction, historical, etc.!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:45:36 pm

Me, too, Janet! PB bios are one of my favorites. Some day I'll try to write one!

Bev Baird

3/9/2016 11:47:11 am

Thanks for sharing these wonderful mentor texts!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:45:59 pm

De nada, Bev!

Mary Jo Wagner

3/9/2016 12:15:11 pm

I often read all sorts of genres and find inspiration where I least expect it. (It's also a good way to procrastinate when I don't feel like writing).

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:46:39 pm

That's creative procrastination--very essential writing tool, Mary Jo!

Colleen Paeff

3/9/2016 12:16:26 pm

Thanks, Maria!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:47:00 pm

You're very welcome, Colleen!

Keila Dawson link

3/9/2016 12:16:59 pm

And that's why I have a book tower next to my bed. Added a couple of your suggestions to my list I have not read.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:48:01 pm

Ha! I have leaning towers of Pisa :). Love the name, Keila--so pretty! How do you pronounce it KEE-la or KAY-la or?

I hope you'll enjoy the others!

Mona

3/9/2016 12:17:56 pm

Thanks, Maria. Great list of mentor texts.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:48:19 pm

:), Mona!

Jena Benton

3/9/2016 12:34:04 pm

Great suggestion! I've actually been looking for cross-genre stuff, specifically fantasy that is also nonfiction (with back matter). Any other book suggestions?

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:49:30 pm

I'm not quite sure what you mean, Jena. Do you have an example?

Jena Benton

3/9/2016 09:14:55 pm

I guess not. Not really. Though I've only had a couple of titles recommended to me. "The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall" by Kirsti Call for instance.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/9/2016 12:36:52 pm

Great advice! Reading cross genre. Reading widely. Yes, to all!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:50:00 pm

Read-read-read is what it's all about! Thanks, Jilanne!

Monique wakefield link

3/9/2016 12:37:21 pm

Great mentor texts recommendations Maria. I try to read books I don't write to help my own writing.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:50:22 pm

So do I, Monique! Good luck!

Lisa Connors link

3/9/2016 12:42:24 pm

I've had a manuscript jump genres too. It was fun!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:50:46 pm

Great, Lisa! It can be very invigorating!

Valarie Giogas

3/9/2016 12:43:04 pm

Thanks for bringing new books to my attention, Maria. Miss you!!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:51:21 pm

Val!!! Me, too! <3 <3! I hope all is well in MA!

Laura Renauld

3/9/2016 01:00:40 pm

Penny and Jelly are fabulous characters. So glad to hear there's another one on the way!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:52:10 pm

You made my day, Laura--thank you! I love the art for P&JII even more than book 1! That Thyra is amazing & I am very lucky!

Sue Ganz-Schmitt link

3/9/2016 01:05:07 pm

Thanks Maria! Lately I have been captured by non-fiction picture books. This is a reminder to jump across and start reading more of these!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:52:46 pm

I love NF so much, Sue--there is such a wide range of styles, topics, approaches, and I love learning new things!

Susan Deo

3/9/2016 01:05:35 pm

Thanks, Marie for a thought-provoking collection. Some of these are favorites and some are new to me. I love the variety of picture books -- all the possibilities between and within genre. And ReFoReMo has been such a great way to look at books that other writers/illustrators recommend. I'm inspired and having a ball.

maria gianferrari link

3/9/2016 04:53:25 pm

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 09:08:44 pm

My reply has disappeared--not to fear! Glad you've been inspired by ReFo, Susan--so have I :)! So many books, so little time!

Deborah Allmand

3/9/2016 01:07:51 pm

Maria, thanks so much for the recommendations. Hopefully I will remember this the next time I get stuck in revision. Thanks for the wonderful prize also.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:54:10 pm

You're welcome, Deborah! :)

JEN link

3/9/2016 01:15:59 pm

Yes! I cross genres often to help me in my writing. Age categories, too - reading middle grade and graphic novels to help my picture books. But of course, it sooo important to read in your age category as well. (Off to the library to get more ReFoReMo books)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:54:47 pm

I totally agree, Jen! And adult books too, even movies!

Chana Stiefel link

3/9/2016 01:25:50 pm

Great suggestions. I also like to write across genres--fiction & non-fiction. Can't wait to read your books. Thanks for sharing.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:55:41 pm

Thanks for saying so, Chana!

Megan Taraszkiewicz

3/9/2016 01:41:25 pm

Thank you, Maria. I would not have normally picked up a biography to use as a mentor text but I found A Home for Mr. Emerson to be very inspirational.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:56:17 pm

I loved it, and loved the way she focused on theme to bring it all together, Megan!

Maria Marshall

3/9/2016 01:49:15 pm

Maria, I have found that reading more nonfiction has sparked ideas. I have not read I, Fly and Yard Sale yet. Waiting for the library to get them. But I look forward to it. Great suggestion, thanks. :-)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:56:51 pm

Another Maria! :)

I hope you'll like them!

Sue Heavenrich

3/9/2016 01:51:13 pm

What a great collection of books, Maria - I really LOVED "I. Fly" (and really wished I had written it!) And you're right, "Boats for Papa" and "Yard Sale" do indeed pack an emotional punch. Interesting to see how the authors did that.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:57:55 pm

Hey, Sue--how are you??

Me, too--and check out her Larvae book. That one's tons of fun too. They're so touching. Boy did I weep over both of them!

Tracey Brown

3/9/2016 02:17:05 pm

Thank you, Maria for the mentor text selections and the reminder to read outside what you normally gravitate to. I'm the one who searches for the caramels in a box of chocolates only to discover that when I choose another by mistake, it's just as delicious.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:58:29 pm

Great metaphor, Tracey! We're treasure hunters too, we pb writers!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/9/2016 02:19:06 pm

Thanks for this timely (for me!) post. In addition to all the great recommendations for reading across genres, I also write across genres. These recommendations make me feel right at home. :)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:58:49 pm

Glad to hear that, Rita--me too!

Vicki Reinhardt

3/9/2016 02:35:29 pm

Always love the recommendations! Thanks so much! I'm enjoying this a lot! =)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:59:12 pm

My pleasure, Vicki!

Tina Cho link

3/9/2016 02:54:27 pm

Thanks, Maria, for this great list of books. I'm looking forward to reading them with your tip in mind to read across genres.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 04:59:37 pm

Great! Nice to see you here too, Tina! :)

Angie Quantrell

3/9/2016 03:27:38 pm

I've been so excited to read all of the posts and picture books. Thanks, Marie, for sharing more great books with us!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:00:01 pm

You are most welcome, Angie :)!

Brook Gideon link

3/9/2016 03:36:13 pm

Thank you for the wonderful post about crossing genres. I find it very important when finding where your story should land. One never knows and it may be different than you thought it should be when you started.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:00:36 pm

I know what you mean, Brook! Sometimes where we begin is so different from those final drafts!

Melanie Ellsworth

3/9/2016 03:46:39 pm

So true! I enjoy writing rhyming fiction, but non-fiction texts, especially the lyrical ones, have proved to be very useful mentor texts for me.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:01:02 pm

And there's a ton of rhyming nf out there too! Good luck, Melanie!

Sara Gentry

3/9/2016 03:49:39 pm

Thanks for your suggestions, Maria. I have been trying to broaden my horizons, but I think it can be tricky to find good recommendations from genres that are less mainstream.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:01:45 pm

Just think of them as ways to inspire you, even if you're not going to model your own work directly after them. And good luck, Sara!

Suzanne Poulter Harris

3/9/2016 03:58:23 pm

Thanks for the fabulous list - I've heard great things about BOATS FOR PAPA. Checking it out from the library today. Looking forward to reading your new books, too.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:02:16 pm

It's a powerful book & I hope you'll like it, Suzanne!

JaneBaskwill link

3/9/2016 04:17:03 pm

Wonderful suggestions. Thank you for reminding me about Eve Bunting's Yard Sale book. It's one that sticks with you as many of hers do.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:02:33 pm

So true, Jane!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/9/2016 04:26:33 pm

How interesting is a day encouraging us to read cross genre is, considering this is what Reforemo has been al about for me :) It's been so educational reading ALL kinds of books as mentor texts, and has steered me in many great directions, perhaps even the "right" one :) Thanks Maria for sharing!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:03:00 pm

It has been fun & inspirational for me as a participant too, Melissa!

Beverly Marsh

3/9/2016 04:27:11 pm

Thanks for the great book recommendations. Yard Sale is a favorite of mine.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:03:41 pm

It's so powerful, isn't it, Beverly? I hope you'll like the others too!

Tanya Konerman link

3/9/2016 04:30:21 pm

What a good idea...I tend to stick to what I know. I'll try to branch out a bit more!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 05:04:09 pm

And have fun in the process, Tanya!

Judy Cooper link

3/9/2016 04:32:39 pm

Great topic. Thanks for the advice on reading across genres.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:42:03 pm

No problem, Judy!

Noelle McBride

3/9/2016 04:41:16 pm

Thank you for these excellent mentor texts. I just love I, Fly! Bridget Heos is hysterical! She said that she got the idea for the book when she was walking through her child's school and the walls were covered with butterfly pictures and reports. And she said to herself just what the fly says, "It's always the butterflies!" These books are helping me stretch as a writer. Thank you!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:42:41 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed I, Fly, Noelle! I had no idea about the story behind the story--thanks for sharing that!

carole calladine

3/9/2016 05:01:35 pm

Thanks for this cross genre suggestion. And for sharing some of your favorite picture books.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:43:24 pm

You're welcome, Carole! It was so hard to stick with just 5, that's for sure!

Kathy Mazurowski

3/9/2016 05:02:50 pm

Great books, with a few new ones to me. Thanks!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:43:48 pm

Glad you discovered a few new ones, Kathy!

Sherri Jones Rivers link

3/9/2016 05:09:33 pm

I have read four of those. The fly book is not available at my library, but it intrigues me to see what the buzz is all about.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:44:26 pm

Very punny, Sherri! I hope you're able to find it. See if they'll buy it if you request it.

Linda Schueler

3/9/2016 05:19:09 pm

Experiment indeed! Good advice.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:44:56 pm

Thanks, Linda!

Mary Warth

3/9/2016 05:27:34 pm

Great suggestions! This is something I should definitely try.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:45:11 pm

Go for it, Mary!

Bjlee link

3/9/2016 05:29:54 pm

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:45:25 pm

????

Robin Currie link

3/9/2016 05:36:39 pm

Reading across genders is an occupational hazard of walking through a good library! I keep trying to stay on topic, but...oh, look, a chicken book!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:46:58 pm

Speaking of chicken books, Robin, it's not a PB, but have you read City Chickens by Christine Heppermann? Loved it (as well as the MG Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones--loved it!)

Dee Leone link

3/9/2016 05:46:43 pm

Thanks, Maria. I especially agree that we should open ourselves to new ideas by reading what we don't write. There's so much to learn.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:47:21 pm

And ReFo is a great place to start! Thanks, Dee!

Susan Wroble link

3/9/2016 05:55:12 pm

"Boats for Papa" was one of those books that I finished, hugged, and started again. Thanks so much for these recommendations.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:47:54 pm

I'm so glad you liked it, Susan! I bawled the first time I read it :).

Mary Boehmer

3/9/2016 06:17:52 pm

Thank you for sharing with us! Awesome book suggestions. I was just shot through the heart by Boats for Papa! Wow! Happy Reading:)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:48:17 pm

Me, too, Mary! Happy reading to you as well!

Celeste Gerard

3/9/2016 06:30:56 pm

Wonderful recommendations. I loved Boats for Papa....so tender!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:48:37 pm

You're not alone in loving this one, Celeste!

Lenne' Musarra

3/9/2016 07:05:11 pm

Having loved and read children's literature for over 50 years, I know the value of different genres and age categories and I enjoy reading them all. I've only found and read Yard Sale to date but it did stir my heart. I find I do get easily bored by PB that only entertain in a frivolous way. Of course when sharing PB with children, what matters is what they think and feel. And how wonderful is the rereading, when you can use their feedback to enhance the story further through voice and physical expressions. Thank you!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:49:30 pm

I'm with you Lenne--I gravitate toward those that make me feel something too.

Susan Zonca

3/9/2016 07:05:19 pm

Thank you so much for enlarging my vision and keeping my genre options open.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:49:52 pm

You're very welcome, Susan--glad it was helpful!

Denise Benavides

3/9/2016 07:11:22 pm

Thanks for the lesson and the heartwarming mentor texts

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:50:16 pm

You're welcome, Denise! It's too bad we had to stop at 5!

Caroline Webster link

3/9/2016 07:15:50 pm

"Read what you don’t write, cross genres, experiment—you never know where you’ll find inspiration!" Love this, and it's really inspiring and helpful to know that you often find yourself changing genres as you revise--seems to truly reflect the reVISIONING that can be essential to helping our stories along.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:50:59 pm

Re-vision is what it's all about! We just have to give ourselves permission to let go of our first drafts, and the possibilities are infinite, Caroline!

Rachel Hamby link

3/9/2016 07:15:54 pm

Thanks for these titles. It's fun to think more in depth about genre, and maybe how you can take an idea for a story, and make it more unique by playing with different genres.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:51:39 pm

Try writing the same/similar thing in different genres, and different POVs--a fun experiment!

Sharon Giltrow

3/9/2016 07:20:48 pm

Thanks Maria for giving us great mentor texts across different genres.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:51:57 pm

My pleasure, Sharon!

Elizabeth Duncan link

3/9/2016 07:35:19 pm

A very eclectic selection of interesting books today. I enjoyed reading them and thinking about all that they offered to readers.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:52:22 pm

I'm glad that you enjoyed them, Elizabeth!

Angela Turner

3/9/2016 07:41:46 pm

I like writing nonfiction. Thanks for the reminder to check out other genres. I just want to say I am looking forward to reading Coyote Moon. It sounds lovely and the cover illustration looks amazing!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:53:29 pm

HUGE NF fan here! Thanks for your kind words about Coyote Moon! I LOVE Bagram's art--it is so intricately detailed that it's looks photographic! I am very grateful to have worked with him on this book :)

Lucky Jo

3/9/2016 07:51:53 pm

I, Fly is fun, and makes insects generally relatable. Thanks, Maria. (BTW, Gianferrari is the coolest Italian name ever)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:54:08 pm

Try her Larvae book too--very funny!

Thanks! It's a long one to have to keep typing here ;)!

Kristen Schroeder

3/9/2016 08:04:00 pm

Love it -- don't be araid to follow the idea where it takes you! Thanks.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:54:44 pm

Yes, Kristen & have fun in the process. That's one I have to remind myself of now & again.

Natalie Lynn Tanner

3/9/2016 08:05:15 pm

Hi Maria!:

Just reading the title of your book, Penny and Jelly, I can see how playing with cross genres has inspired you -- and now countless others! (As someone with a peanut allergy, I also like this play on words in your title! :) ) Thank you for reminding us to look outside our story's world/box, to "read what you don’t write, cross genres, experiment—you never know where you’ll find inspiration!" Thank you for this inspiration! I look forward to reading you books!

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:56:00 pm

They go together like peanut butter & jelly ;). Thanks, Natalie! It's inspiring to read all of these posts too.

Charlene Steadman

3/9/2016 08:35:52 pm

A mentor has suggested I try a middle grade story and I've only worked on picture books so far so I am in the midst of trying something new. I must say keeping up with all the ReFoReMo information has given me a convenient excuse not to get more writing done.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:56:43 pm

It's always scary to venture into new territory, Charlene--good luck to you!

Laurie Bouck

3/9/2016 08:45:04 pm

Thanks so much for your inspirational post and these great examples! :)

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:58:21 pm

It was my pleasure, Laurie!

Lynn Davidson link

3/9/2016 08:56:45 pm

I loved Yard Sale and You Nest Here With Me. Both made me tear up (just a little), and gave me that warm feeling of having read something WONDERFUL. Boats for Papa is at the library for me now.
Thank you for your contribution, Maria, and for encouraging us to step beyond our comfort zone.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:59:18 pm

They are both lovely and touching. Have the tissue box handy for Boats for Papa, Lynn :).

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 08:57:42 pm

Thanks again, Carrie and Kirsti for all of your hard work in putting ReFo together!

And thank you again to everyone who took the time to reflect and comment! I really appreciate it!

Pamela Courtney

3/9/2016 09:20:50 pm

Suggesting to read across genres is such good advice. Specifically for using as mentor text. That is something I've not purposefully done. It's imperative that I do. Thank you. Sage advice.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 09:49:21 pm

Good luck, Pamela!

DeLeon

3/9/2016 09:40:19 pm

We are not just learning to use mentor texts, but great ideas and inspiration are coming from the way authors classify books and show us the ways these texts improve their creative process. Another great post! Thank you, Maria. This is something I want to do myself: to cross nonfiction with fiction in a very creative way.

maria gianferrari

3/9/2016 09:49:58 pm

Best of luck to you, DeLeon!

Virginia Law Manning link

3/9/2016 09:53:16 pm

Thank you, Maria! Crossing genres with mentor texts will definitely broaden our horizons and help us approach topics in new ways! Thanks again!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 06:57:14 am

You're welcome, Virginia & good luck!

Therese Nagi

3/9/2016 09:53:28 pm

Thanks Maria for sharing these great books! I really enjoyed Jane Yolen's book "Come Nest with Me."

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 06:57:45 am

I love it too :). Thanks, Therese!

Cathy Breisacher

3/9/2016 09:55:50 pm

Good advice about reading what you don't write. I don't often study or take a close look at stories that are different from what I like to write. I'm going to do that now to see what I can learn. Thank you for this post.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 06:58:30 am

I'm guilty of that too! But I also think it's important to study the books that don't appeal to us, to figure out the why of it. Good luck, Cathy!

Lynn Alpert link

3/9/2016 10:58:09 pm

Most of these books are new to me - I FLY looks great. I do love YOU NEST HERE WITH ME - it's perfect! It has rhyme, a sweet story, something to learn (with back matter) and great illustrations.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 06:59:22 am

You Nest Here with Me has double appeal--I love the rhyme--it's a great read aloud, and I love the subject matter, bird-nerd that I am! Thanks, Lynn!

Emily J

3/9/2016 11:07:37 pm

Thank you so much Maria! I love the varied book selections!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 06:59:39 am

Glad you liked them, Emily!

Juli Caveny link

3/9/2016 11:57:07 pm

So true, Maria! I love narrowing some of my ReFoReMo reads to genres and styles I wish to emulate, but it also helps to read a wide variety to get a sense of other directions in PBs.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 07:00:29 am

Hello Juli! I remember you from last year :). I tend to gravitate towards the ones I want to emulate too, but sometimes it helps to look at ones that might not initially be appealing. Good luck!

Trine

3/10/2016 12:07:24 am

These recommended books are wonderful examples to make your point! Thank you.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 07:00:45 am

My pleasure, Trine!

Lisa Billa

3/10/2016 02:38:48 am

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions, and the inspiration to stretch in new directions! So many paths a story can take, and when one runs into a dead end others open up.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 07:01:05 am

Stretching--yes, Lisa! Yoga for PB writers ;)

Lori Gravley link

3/10/2016 06:10:01 am

I'd love to hear more about how you know that the book wants to switch. Thanks for this nicely curated collection of ideas.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 07:02:57 am

I was working on a fiction PB last year during ReFo about rats (we used to have pet rats, they have since died :( ) It was just all a bit blah, and not going anywhere. I, Fly gave me the idea to switch to NF and it suddenly was fun to write and funny. And I think humor makes the rat character more appealing (since most people are not fond of them, though they are sweet and affectionate pets). Thanks for asking, Lori!

Linda Carpenter link

3/10/2016 06:15:32 am

Maria,
Thank you for a great post. These reminders and tips keep us forging forward in our writing endeavors. Looking forward to reading your books that I haven't so far.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 07:03:59 am

You're welcome, Linda! I hope you'll enjoy my books too :)! The three I have coming out this year are all quite different in tone (but of course, they all feature creatures--animal lover that I am :) )

Carrie Pearson link

3/10/2016 06:57:12 am

It's a great time to explore less traditional cross-genre forms. It's a great way to offer something fresh to weary editors.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:18:20 pm

Very true, Carrie!

Val McCammon

3/10/2016 07:00:40 am

Thanks for the recommendations that push us beyond the usual, Maria.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:18:37 pm

You're welcome, Val!

debra daugherty

3/10/2016 07:30:38 am

Wonderful book choices! I especially loved Yard Sale as that's my favorite summer pastime.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:18:58 pm

Me, too! Isn't it touching? Thanks, Debra!

Carol Cole link

3/10/2016 07:31:10 am

This page did not load for me yesterday so I hope this still counts as my post for Day 9. These are great mentor texts. I especially liked how "Boats for Papa" and "Yardsale" handled such difficult concepts in a gentle way for young children.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:20:01 pm

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you yesterday, Carol! They definitely both are tender books, but the child's POV is so wonderfully rendered.

Amy Murrell

3/10/2016 07:32:28 am

Thanks, Maria, for suggesting that we read outside of the genre we are writing in. I did this and got some great ideas for word choice!-Amy

maria gianferari

3/10/2016 08:20:28 pm

Glad to hear that! Good luck, Amy!

Patricia Nozell

3/10/2016 07:36:15 am

Thank you Maria, for your suggestions and such a diverse group of mentor texts. Look forward to reading them!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:20:56 pm

I hope you'll enjoy them, Patricia, and find them helpful for your work.

Marianne Kuzujanakis link

3/10/2016 08:39:12 am

Finally able to open this page - albeit a day late!
Great topic. Great book choices. Will keep an open mind for opportunities to cross genres.
Thanks, Maria!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:21:19 pm

My pleasure, Marianne :)!

Karen Bell

3/10/2016 08:51:37 am

Thanks Maria for your post. I, too, need to spend more time reading children's nonfiction. The authors of these texts have approached their topics with a fun, fresh point of view.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:21:48 pm

There's so much great NF out there! If you want any recommendations, let me know!

MD Knabb

3/10/2016 08:58:46 am

Can't wait to read your work, Maria. Congratulations! Thanks for the reminder that we can and should cross genres and such great mentor text recommendations.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:22:12 pm

Thanks for saying so, MD & good luck!

Sydney O'Neill

3/10/2016 08:59:14 am

Thank you, Maria. I love the subtle ending in Boats for Papa.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:22:41 pm

I'm glad you liked it, Sydney! Glad to see you here too :)!

Karen Condit

3/10/2016 09:01:47 am

Thanks Maria! Reading across genres has been really helpful for me. When I'm at the library I'll sometimes just grab the PB books on display (which are usually the new and different) and I've come home with quite a genre mix! (I don't empty the shelves though...our fabulous librarian is very understanding and thankfully, she still smiles when she sees me coming.)

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:23:19 pm

LOL, Karen!

LuAnn Kern

3/10/2016 09:16:08 am

"manuscripts change genre during revision." How liberating! I never realized I was holding my manuscripts hostage, thanks for showing us to get out of our own way!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:23:48 pm

Love that analogy! We should let them do the talking, LuAnn!

Meena

3/10/2016 09:16:20 am

Read what you don't write! That's great advice to get out of your comfort zone and explore different genres. I loved Eve Bunting's Yard Sale.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:24:58 pm

Glad you liked it, Meena! BTW, there's a character named Meena in Penny & Jelly Slumber Under the Stars :).

Carol Nelson

3/10/2016 09:28:19 am

I love the variety in today's books. My list of must have books keeps growing! Thanks!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:25:23 pm

Mine too, Carol!

Cecilia McCarthy

3/10/2016 10:34:44 am

Just finished reading You Nest Here With Me and loved it. A great text for using poetry in nonfiction. Thank you.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:25:42 pm

I agree, Cecilia--it's one of my favorites!

Nancy Rimar

3/10/2016 10:41:12 am

Thanks for the reminder to read other genres and for the great list of books.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:25:59 pm

You're most welcome, Nancy.

christie allred link

3/10/2016 11:04:40 am

After reading this post, I think I need to read more non-fiction picture books. I have never been interested in them, but ever since I started a picture book critique group, and one of the members writes non-fiction, I have grown to appreciate it. Thanks for the good post :)

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:26:48 pm

There is so much wonderful, fresh & engaging NF out there, Christie! I'm sure you'll find something that appeals to you. Start with a subject you like, or if you'd like a recommendation or two, let me know :)!

Anne Appert link

3/10/2016 11:55:43 am

This is such great advice! I never really knew where to start with mentor texts, but I am getting so many good ideas from ReFoReMo. Some of these books I may never have picked up otherwise. Thanks for the post!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:27:08 pm

ReFo rocks, Anne :)!

Donna L Martin link

3/10/2016 12:49:50 pm

This is a perfect post for me because I write in multiple genres...;~)

Great post!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:27:34 pm

That's great, Donna! I hope they'll be helpful to you!

sue twiggs

3/10/2016 12:51:54 pm

Maria,
i"m definitely going to read these mentor texts and try my hand at different genre of PB's . I already have a MS tht is looking like it will be a concept book when I started out it was about self-esteem! Thanks for showing the way.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:28:14 pm

It's funny how our manuscripts can change directions, when we let them. Good luck to you, Sue!

Anna Forrester link

3/10/2016 01:39:30 pm

Thanks for the post -- am so curious to hear the specifics of your genre-changelings... :)

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:29:37 pm

I mentioned one above, that was inspired by ReFo last year. It's called Rat-tastic, and it started out as a fiction story based on our pet rat, Nera, who hid behind the refrigerator, then it evolved into NF :).

Ann Magee

3/10/2016 03:22:03 pm

Yes, Maria, I so believe in PB writers reading and writing poetry--so helpful :) Thanks!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:30:33 pm

Yes, Ann! We should all be reading a lot more poetry, for its spareness, the way it distills and for lessons in white space and leaving room for illustrators.

Kimberly Marcus link

3/10/2016 03:41:11 pm

Such great mentor texts. Really loved them. Thank you!!

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:30:53 pm

That's great, Kimberly!!

Shellley Marshall

3/10/2016 03:49:11 pm

Thank you Maria. Your post reminds me to reach out to all genres which I have always benefited from in the past. It's a great reminder that best practices for wanna-be rhymers can be to read and write prose before rhyming.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:31:12 pm

Very true, Shelley!

Lydia Lukidis link

3/10/2016 07:06:15 pm

Great choices! Love You Nest Here with Me.

maria gianferrari

3/10/2016 08:31:30 pm

Love it too, Lydia :)!

Denise Engle

3/10/2016 09:20:09 pm

I'm such a huge Jane Yolen fan, and I admire the entire scope of her work. Thank you for including her in this wonderful blog submission!!!

maria gianferrari

3/11/2016 09:30:44 am

Me too, Denise! Boy does Jane cross every genre imaginable!!

Anne Young

3/11/2016 03:07:51 am

I am taken by the way quotes have been used in the story about Emerson. Quite apart from allowing the character to speak for himself, the language is so lyrical.

maria gianferrari

3/11/2016 09:31:19 am

I loved the way she wove them in too, Anne. I found the whole story to be very poignant :).

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/11/2016 08:48:52 am

Thank you Maria for sharing these mentor texts! I'm looking forward to reading your Penny & Jelly book and meeting your characters. : )

maria gianferrari

3/11/2016 09:31:47 am

Thank you, Annelouise! I hope you'll like meeting them ;).

Christine Rodenbour

3/11/2016 09:22:54 am

Great advice. Reforemo is definitely getting me to read genres I may not have otherwise. It's an eye opener.

maria gianferrari

3/11/2016 09:32:08 am

Indeed it 'tis--enjoy, Christine!

Eleanor Rubin link

3/11/2016 09:42:31 am

Yard Sale! I'd missed that one. Thanks for these useful selections across genres.

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:08:24 pm

<3, Elly!!

Joan Swanson

3/11/2016 09:45:49 am

Since my children have grown into adults I have found that picture books have changed through the years. By doing the PiBoReMo, it is opening my eyes to many different ways that writing has changed. Thank you for all your suggestions:)

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:08:56 pm

They really have! You're welcome, Joan!

Angela De Groot

3/11/2016 11:40:50 am

Wow! Both Yard Sale and Boats for Papa had me teary eyed. For rhyme, rhythm and refrain, I would also recommend All The World (Liz Garton Scanlon) and At the Boardwalk (Kelly Ramsdell Fineman) as mentor texts.

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:09:30 pm

I agree, Angela! I love Liz Garton Scanlon's work! I haven't read Kelly's so I'll get on that!

Lotus Ivak link

3/11/2016 03:58:34 pm

Boats for Papa really spoke to me. Thanks so much for the ideas Maria!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:10:05 pm

You're welcome, Lotus. She has a new one out, Before I Leave, but I haven't yet read it.

Ashley Pierson

3/11/2016 04:01:21 pm

Maria, this was a great post. Love the reminder how writing can change and morph into something else, maybe even better if we are open to go outside our comfort zone. Great examples too!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:10:27 pm

Glad you liked them & found them helpful, Ashley!

Ginger Weddle

3/12/2016 12:37:49 pm

This is such great advice! And thanks for the recommendations! My list of "to read" is growing faster than I can find all of them. The search is on. :-)

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:10:53 pm

I hear you, Ginger! Too many books, too little time for sure!

Helen Dening link

3/12/2016 03:11:19 pm

The pile still hasn't come in at the library. I'm anxiously waiting.

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:11:09 pm

I hope you'll like them, Helen :).

Marilyn Garcia

3/12/2016 04:21:48 pm

"Read what you don't write," - great advice. Some times a different genre inspires me and also gives me courage to try a new approach. One of these days I might discover that I can write across genres as well as read across them.:)

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:11:29 pm

I'm sure that you can, Marilyn :)!

Lisa Morgan

3/12/2016 06:57:37 pm

Oh, how fun to play catch up today. Thank you for the good advice. By taking part in the on-line learning community I'm learning that there are so many genres of PB's. I didn't realize. It helps to read through your suggestions and think about my own manuscripts that are just not working the way I'd like them to. Perhaps switching genres is the key for me. THANKS!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:12:21 pm

Try it out, Lisa! It may lead you in a totally different direction, or may give you a line, flavor or something that adds the umph you're looking for in your current WIP. Good luck!

Jennifer Cole Judd link

3/12/2016 10:43:11 pm

Oh my, I can't wait to read A Home For Mr. Emerson--a bio about Ralph Waldo has been on my piboidmo list for a while now...can't wait to read this one! Love all of these recommendations, Maria! Thank you so much. <3

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:12:48 pm

It really is one of my favorites, Jennifer, so I hope you'll like it too :)

Cheryl Kim

3/13/2016 10:16:30 am

Thank you, Maria. I hadn't heard of some of those titles before but am so glad I can read them now!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:13:11 pm

Great! I love when I come across new titles, so I hope you'll enjoy them!

Susie Sawyer link

3/13/2016 11:00:32 pm

Thank you Maria! Great advice, to "read what you don't write." And congratulations on your success with Penny and Jelly!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:13:33 pm

Thanks so much, Susie!

Kristen Browning

3/13/2016 11:44:58 pm

Thanks for the great book selections and the reminder to read books that I probably wouldn't pick up otherwise. I really enjoyed I, FLY--so engaging, funny and informative (and gross!). I also liked A HOME FOR MR. EMERSON--great story, illustrations and quotes. Very interesting back matter, too. Thanks for helping me to stretch as a reader--and hopefully, as a writer.

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:14:27 pm

I'm so glad that you enjoyed them, Kristen! They're so different, so it's fun to read all kinds of different genres, voices, etc.

Cindy Cornwall

3/14/2016 10:44:44 am

I had read most of these, except for "I Fly...", which I thought was hysterical and informative. It helped to read "A Home for Emerson" again, because I was looking at it from an illustrator's standpoint and loving the color choices, transitions and scaling. "You Nest Here With Me" is one I'll have to buy, since Jane Yolen and Melissa Sweet are my faves. Thanks for the list!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:15:20 pm

I've been focusing on the text, so I'd love to hear your thoughts about the images, Cindy. Glad that you liked them :)!

Kristen Schroeder

3/14/2016 11:04:03 am

Really enjoyed these books. Thanks for the recommendations!

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:15:37 pm

You're very welcome, Kristen :).

Linda Hofke

3/14/2016 06:48:09 pm

good advice, Maria.Thanks! I need to find that fly book.

As you know, I already have your Penny & Jelly book so don't include me in the drawing. Give it to someone else to enjoy.

maria gianferrari

3/14/2016 07:17:32 pm

Hello, Linda!!

I think you'll love the Fly book--it's so funny! Gute Nacht!! :)

Lisa Rogers link

3/14/2016 08:10:25 pm

Maria, these are books I love. They all make great read-alouds. I'm interested in how you've crossed genres with your manuscripts. I've basically morphed into writing picture book biographies but have never changed a story's genre (except making a pb into an easy reader). I also appreciate your stressing the reading of poetry as a key to creating a rhythmic book.

maria gianferrari

3/15/2016 08:01:28 am

Reading poetry is key--it's so compact and economic, and as pb writers we need to strive to say what we can in the fewest words possible, in the same way that poetry distills.

I've mainly crossed from fiction to nf, and vice versa within PBs, but as you can see from the books I selected, even w/in NF there is so much variety--from lyrical rhyming books, or non-rhyming PB bios, to the funny, snarky voice of I, Fly.

And congrats on your recent win of PEN's Susan Bloom Discovery Award!!!! I was lucky to have been one of the winners too in 2009 :)

Anne-Marie Strohman

3/15/2016 04:14:06 pm

What a great range of mentor texts! Thanks for the inspiration.

maria gianferrari

3/16/2016 10:05:00 am

Glad you found them inspiring, Anne-Marie!

Amanda Sincavage

3/16/2016 05:18:17 pm

What a great assortment of books! Really enjoyed "I, Fly" - felt fresh and original to have a 1st person narration in NF. Glad I finally got my hands on Boats for Papa - what a beautiful story and gorgeous illustrations. Thanks Maria!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:01:20 am

You're welcome, Amanda!! Glad you liked them both--they're at opposite ends of the spectrum, but great in their own ways.

L. Michelle Quraishi link

3/16/2016 09:33:46 pm

Boats for Papa! I haven't cried that much reading a picture book since Mem Fox's Tough Boris. I love that papa's absence is never explained, and doesn't need to be. Interesting that Yard Sale is Eve Bunting's first book with Candlewick-even established authors find new homes for their work.

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:01:59 am

I know--I wept the very first time I read it, and I still cry, even though know the outcome. It's just lovely.

Myrna Foster

3/17/2016 02:20:27 am

I haven't read most of these. Thanks for the recommendations!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:02:13 am

I hope you'll like them, Myrna.

Virginia Manning link

3/19/2016 05:57:06 am

I loved your book suggestions so much, but they were two my county didn't have. I've asked them to order them!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:03:01 am

I hope you'll be able to get them, Virginia. When I suggest titles at my library, I always include a link to a Kirkus review, so the work is done for them.

Suzy Leopold

3/19/2016 09:33:24 pm

I, too, am finding that reading across genres makes me a better picture book writer, whether the manuscript is fiction or nonfiction. Thank you, Maria.

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:03:25 am

So glad to hear that, Suzy :).

Gabrielle Schoeffield

3/20/2016 08:38:13 am

Great advice on reading/writing outside that comfort zone...done often enough it could get very comfortable!
Thanks for the words of wisdom!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:03:48 am

I hope you'll have fun doing it too, Gabrielle :).

Linda link

3/20/2016 02:29:01 pm

Maria, thank you so much. Love the idea of experimenting with different genres during revision. Playing with words!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:04:13 am

Playing with words/word play is what it's all about! Have fun, Linda!

Lisa Williams

3/20/2016 09:13:19 pm

I love that you change genres sometimes during the editing process! That's comforting to those of us who are not yet published. Nothing has to be perfect the first time around. Thank you!

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:05:09 am

Exactly! Still struggling with this myself... most times the drafting is harder for me.

Jill Jeffries

3/21/2016 08:33:06 am

Thank you! I really enjoyed reading these books (some again!!)

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:05:25 am

You're welcome, Jill!

Rosie Pova

3/21/2016 01:29:44 pm

I agree, it definitely helps, making our stories richer! Thanks for the list.

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:05:40 am

My pleasure, Rosie!

Dina Ticas

3/21/2016 02:39:59 pm

Read what you don't write...Yes!! Going to break out of my box and try rhyme. Some day. JK--soon, I promise. Thanks for the encouragement.

maria gianferrari

3/22/2016 11:06:35 am

Go for it, Dina & why not--no one ever has to see it but you, and it may lead you in a direction you never imagined. :)

Sadee Schilling

3/22/2016 12:53:40 pm

Wonderful recommendations, Maria! Thank you. I will have to check out PENNY AND JELLY too--one of my daughters is named Penny, so I already know that we will be fans! :)

maria gianferrari

3/23/2016 11:08:19 am

Say hello to your Penny from my Penny :).

I hope you will like them :). Penny & Jelly II comes out in June.

Thanks, Sadee!

Cindy Jolley

3/23/2016 01:51:56 pm

Thanks for the challenge to read what I don't write, to cross genres for new inspiration! Also especially loved your suggestion of You Nest Here with Me as an example of an informational text combined with a sweet mother daughter conversation!

maria gianferrari

3/26/2016 10:39:49 am

You Nest Here With Me works on so many levels for me, the most obvious one being I am a bird nerd :). Glad you enjoyed it, Cindy :).

Claire Noland link

3/25/2016 02:34:44 pm

Experiment - great suggestion and wonderful mentor text choices. Thanks!

maria gianferrari

3/26/2016 10:40:17 am

My pleasure, Claire :).

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/26/2016 09:18:59 pm

Thank you for this great set of titles! Such a diverse list but all with a lot of heart. Years Sale and Boats for Papa get me every time! I appreciate the highlights of which element you find these titles do exceedingly well.

Susie Sawyer link

3/27/2016 05:52:29 pm

"Read what you don't write" is fantastic advice! Thank you Maria!!

ReFoReMo Day 9: Maria Gianferrari Crosses Genres

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