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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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May Mentor Text Check-In & Challenge

5/19/2015

7 Comments

 
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I've been thinking about my ReFoReMo family a lot lately. How are your mentor text efforts going? If you are like Suzy Leopold, your stack looks like this. Goooo Suzy! (Check out Suzy's post on how she uses mentor texts over at Marcie Atkin's blog.)  I haven't seen too many stack pictures coming in to the Facebook group lately, but I know you are still reading.  At least, I hope you are. It will keep your fire burning and fuel your writing support. 

New Challenge
I feel as if the Diversity Challenge should definitely be an ongoing goal for us, and I am thankful for those of you who took me up on the challenge during ReFoReMo. (View the original challenge and follow-up recommendations and posts.) I hope your efforts are soaring. Mine are on simmer for now, so I thought I would present a NEW challenge, as well.  I love it when a picture book involves the reader so much that they interact and feel like they are part of the story. Therefore, my new challenge to you will be to research exactly how picture books invite interaction in different ways.  Hopefully, it will lead you to amp up the interaction in your own picture book manuscripts, as well. 

Sometimes one sentence can be so powerful.  Check out these two examples in the following mentor texts.  Then feel free to list your favorite interactive lines and texts below in the comments.

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Chris Haughton’s Oh, No George! 
Main character: George, a well-intended dog that gravitates toward trouble
Interaction Invitation:  “What will George do?”
Oh, you're asking me? Cool! The reader is directly invited for their opinion and minds start buzzing with mischievous vs. obedient  predictions.

Melanie Watt’s You’re Finally Here 
Main character: A very frank, talk-your-ear-off bunny
Interaction Invitation:  “You’re finally here!”
But, it doesn’t stop there.  This book character converses with the reader.  Or should I say lectures.  As the bunny addresses the reader, he bounces from direct and confrontational to celebratory and grateful.  This is a classic example of metafiction.

Keep in mind, books do not have to be metafiction to be interactive.

So tell me: Are you up for the Interactive Challenge? What are you reading that invites interaction?

Two Reminders Before I Sign Off Today

-Ask Carrie:  Feel free to leave a mentor text question for me in the comments below and I will choose one or two to answer in next Thursday's post.

-Call for Submissions: Revealing ReFoReMo (first Tues of each month) is open to submissions from all 2015 ReFoReMo participants. The submission guidelines are posted HERE. We've had wonderful posts from Jen Garrett and Juli Caveny already. Romelle Broas is up next month and then it could be YOU! Consider sharing what you have learned. It's a great way to give back to the kidlit community.

Bonus: For a QUICK peek inside Pat Zietlow Miller's mind and newest mentor text WHEREVER YOU GO, visit HERE to THINK QUICK. 
7 Comments

ReFoReMo Day 25:  Suzy Leopold Presents Fresh, Engaging Nonfiction

3/26/2015

199 Comments

 
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by Suzy Leopold

Many nonfiction books are written with facts and information. The nonfiction books that guide my writing are fresh and engaging. Sometimes referred to as creative nonfiction, these books capture and hook the reader telling a story. Back matter is a special feature: Author Notes, Resources, Facts, and Bibliographies. This fresh look is based on education reforms known as Common Core.

On a Beam of Light A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne  Pictures by Vladimir Radunsky
The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever  by H Joseph Hopkins  Illustrated by Jill Mc Elmurry
Looking at Lincoln  By Maira Kalman  Design by Marikka Tamura
Beneath the Sun  By Melissa Stewart  Illustrated by Constance R. Bergum
As an Oak Tree Grows  Author and Illustrator G. Brian Karas

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Prize Alert
Suzy is offering two handmade writing journals at the conclusion of ReFoReMo!  To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on this post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

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Suzy Leopold is a wife to Perry, a Momma to five boys and Oma Sue to seven grands. Suzy is a reader, a writer, a creator of acrylic and watercolor paintings, an educator, and a cyclist on a pink Marin Portofina.  Find more from Suzy at the GROG.
199 Comments

Introducing... ReFoReMo Sharing Contest Winners and the Fabulous Administration Team

2/6/2015

6 Comments

 
Thank you to everyone who entered the ReFoReMo Sharing Contest!  We have some winners!
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Winner of The Farmer and the Clown picture book:  Josh Funk
Winner of the Hand-Crafted ReFoReMo Journal:  Carol Munro
Winner of Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence picture book: Kristi Dee Veitenheimer

With registration quickly approaching, I hope you will continue to spread ReFoReMo fever! 

A month-long challenge of this size involves a lot of effort.  While the author-educators have already been announced, I’d also like to introduce your lovely administration team.  *thunderous applause*

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Kirsti Call
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Tracey M. Cox
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Suzy Leopold
These talented writers will be helping with registration and the Facebook group.  After registration, they will assist with questions in the FB group, so consider sending them goodies in the mail. (Just kidding!)  Rest assured that we will respond to you, but please be patient.  We prefer to reserve email as a last resort, but we understand that not all of you will opt to join the private Facebook group. If you need assistance with registration related questions, I (Carrie) will be your contact.  The registration post will go live next Sunday, February 15.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

6 Comments
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    Illustration by Lori Nawyn

    ReFoReMo

    March 1-31
    The ReFoReMo Challenge, or Reading for Research Month Challenge, was developed to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching picture books.  Challenge registration opens February 15.  To find out more or to subscribe to the Reading for Research Blog for weekly posts year round, visit our new exclusive site at www.reforemo.com.

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