ReFoReMo Day 10: Jennifer Swanson Livens Up Language

3/10/2016

By Jennifer Swanson

Looking to spice up your manuscript? Try spicing up your words! When I’m writing science books, my goal is to not just pick a unique and interesting topic, but also to make my words exciting and electrifying. Here are a few picture books that I feel did just that. Take a look at their lively use of language!

Jen is giving away a copy of her book Uninvited Guests! Thanks, Jen! To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on every post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Jennifer Swanson is the award-winning author of over 25 books for kids. She is the author of Brain Games (NGKids) and the forthcoming SUPER GEAR: Nanotechnology and Sports Team Up (Charlesbridge, June 2016). You can find her at www.JenniferSwansonBooks.com

233 Comments

Sharon Giltrow

3/10/2016 03:22:30 am

Thank you Jennifer for showing me how to spice up my language.

Sherry Howard link

3/10/2016 03:23:07 am

These book titles show how much fun titles can be! I see a library visit in my future to check out the ones I haven't seen yet.

Joy Main

3/10/2016 04:59:55 am

The titles make me really want to jump straight in and find out more!

Mona

3/10/2016 05:15:55 am

I'll have to take a look inside these books, I can't wait to see the colorful language that under the colorful covers! Thank you, Jennifer, for your mentor suggestions.

Rebecca Colby

3/10/2016 05:16:14 am

Thanks for these! I have two of the books but plan to look for the others soon.

Tanya Konerman link

3/10/2016 05:36:55 am

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for the recommendations!

Julie J Burchstead

3/10/2016 05:57:30 am

I look forward to getting to know the books on this list I do not know yet. I wish NF had been this much fun when I was a young reader! Glad I can enjoy them now!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:53:07 pm

I know, right? When I was a kid the NF science books were just text books. Ugh. SO FUN to see new and exciting ways to learn about STEM

Lucky Jo

3/10/2016 06:16:49 am

Turns out, hippos ARE huge! Thanks, Jennifer.

Megan Taraszkiewicz

3/10/2016 06:19:29 am

Love when nonfiction is presented in a fun way! Thank you for these recommendations.

Karla Valenti

3/10/2016 06:22:26 am

ROSIE REVERE is one of our favorite PBs around here (along with its companion book IGGY PECK ARCHITECT) and it is in large part due to the wonderful language that makes the science aspect so lively and engaging. The illustrations are lovely too! ;) Thanks for your tips on this!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:53:54 pm

You are so welcome. And I love the Rosie book, too

Laura Purdie Salas link

3/10/2016 06:28:43 am

Love how specific your examples are--science picture books that use lively language! Can't wait to dig in--a couple of these are new to me. Thanks!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:54:32 pm

Thanks, Laurie. Yep it is my hope that ALL science books for kids use lively language, great fun facts, and tons of interaction

Linda Schueler

3/10/2016 06:33:21 am

Looking forward to digging into these to study the language.

Sherri Jones Rivers link

3/10/2016 06:55:27 am

A fun and fantastic list. I am still waiting to read two of them.

Deborah Allmand

3/10/2016 06:58:05 am

Thanks Jen! Can't wait to read these examples. I have read Melissa Stewart's book but not the rest. Fabulous prize!

Manju Howard

3/10/2016 07:02:38 am

Thanks for sharing! I look forward to reading SUPER GEAR: Nanotechnology and Sports Team Up.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:55:15 pm

Manju, Thank you. I hope you will enjoy it! It was so much fun learning about nanotechnology. It's definitely the wave of the future

Jodi McKay

3/10/2016 07:05:50 am

Great suggestion, Jennifer! Spicing up a manuscript with active words, lyrical language, and maybe a "big" word or two is well worth the effort.

Sue Poduska

3/10/2016 07:07:19 am

Super! Thanks, Jen!

Lori Gravley link

3/10/2016 07:07:32 am

I love the approach that Creature Features takes with the QandA addressed to the animals. I look forward to reading the others. Thanks for the great list.

Linda Carpenter link

3/10/2016 07:11:30 am

Oh spicing up the language - a great tip. I have read a couple of these. Love your style! Will look forward to reading the rest and learning from you.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:55:39 pm

Thanks Linda

Heather Pierce Stigall link

3/10/2016 07:17:01 am

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking forward to reading these.

Donna Cangelosi link

3/10/2016 07:17:59 am

It's such fun to find just the right word when writing. Thank you for the book recommendations, Jen!

Kathy Halsey

3/10/2016 07:37:36 am

Jen, you are so right - the word level and word play are part of my arsenal and I love it when I get it right. YOU are a master at it , making science topics fun and educational.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:56:09 pm

Aw, shucks, thanks Kathy. Good luck with your pieces, I can't wait to read them some day!

Linda Chavez

3/10/2016 07:38:29 am

These titles are all new to me. I love it when that happens! Can't wait to look into word choice!! Thanks for your share.

Lynn Davidson link

3/10/2016 07:44:23 am

I look forward to reading the two of these five books held for me at the library. Between the No Monkeys No Chocolate and The Boy Who Loved Math I hope to get a good understanding of how to liven the language. :)
Your book, Uninvited Guests, is about a creepy topic, so I hope to find it to read, too. I'll ask my library if they have it - and any others of yours - in their system. Thank you!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:57:03 pm

Thanks, Lynn, that would be great. I appreciate when people request my books.

carrieapear@aol.com link

3/10/2016 07:44:41 am

Word choice: this is the fun, polishing part of the process!

Terri DeGezelle link

3/10/2016 07:45:44 am

I have ROSIE REVERE swimming in my head after read the words. That's just what an author wants their words to do!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:57:25 pm

Exactly! Great imagery yourself :)

Stephanie Gray

3/10/2016 07:45:50 am

Some wonderful NF choices. Thanks for steering us toward them.

maria gianferrari link

3/10/2016 07:56:09 am

Huge NF fan here, and I've read all of these! I especially love Melissa Stewart's work. And the Steve Jenkins/Robin Page team are fantastic. How to Swallow a Pig is such a great mentor text too!

Thanks, Jennifer!

Anita Jones link

3/10/2016 07:59:32 am

Thanks for the recommended books...I'm looking forward to reading them with the thought of word choice that's "exciting and electrifying"....

Val McCammon

3/10/2016 08:02:16 am

Great choices for language that keeps a topic interesting. Thanks, Jen.

Lisa Connors link

3/10/2016 08:03:04 am

Thanks Jennifer!

PatHaap

3/10/2016 08:14:13 am

Great list! Thanks, Jen.

Monique Wakefield

3/10/2016 08:17:17 am

Thank you for your post Jen. You always have great advice.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:57:55 pm

Thanks Monique

Mary Boehmer

3/10/2016 08:19:53 am

Thank you for sharing with us! Lively language is such fun! Creature Features is a favorite and just read Rosie Revere Engineer, which will now be added to our Girls with Grit Club :) loved all your picks and your insights into lively language. Happy Reading!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:58:17 pm

Girls with Grit Club, HOW COOL!!

Caroline Webster link

3/10/2016 08:20:31 am

These titles themselves are all perfect examples of lively language:-).

Amy Murrell

3/10/2016 08:25:49 am

Thank you so much for thsee suggestions. The titles of all are very intriguing. I had to have my library order them and will be picking them up this afternoon! -Amy

Vicki Reinhardt

3/10/2016 08:27:57 am

I love the sound AND the visual of "electrifying" words!!! =)

carole calladine

3/10/2016 08:28:07 am

Thank you for your selections. I'm not familiar with them, but my library had them all.

Joana Pastro

3/10/2016 08:29:53 am

Awesome post. Choosing the right words is key when writing any book. This is definitely something I need to work on. English isn't my first language and even though I have fluency and speak well I still struggle with the precise meaning of some words when I write.
I still need to pick up No Monkeys, No Chocolate and The Boy Who Loved Math. My son seemed particularly interested on this one.
Thanks, Jennifer!

debra daugherty

3/10/2016 08:33:05 am

Thanks, Jennifer, for posting these mentor texts. Andrea Beaty's stories are special to me as I met her through a skype session with my writers group.

Patricia Nozell

3/10/2016 08:44:01 am

Thanks Jennifer for picking such awesome texts. I've already found & read Rosie Revere & agree that the words are exciting & electrifying.

Jess Townes link

3/10/2016 08:44:21 am

Love this! The Boy Who Loved Math is a favorite in this house- I have two highly math-motivated kiddos. I'll read it with a new eye today for broadening vocabulary! Thank you!

Marianne Kuzujanakis link

3/10/2016 08:44:29 am

Catching the attention of kids is always the first step to educating or entertaining them with books. Great choices.

Janet Smart link

3/10/2016 08:45:24 am

I love reading and finding just the right words to make a story sing!

Diane Asyre

3/10/2016 08:46:14 am

Reading "No Monkeys, No Chocolate" today. Reading nonfiction children's books planted the seeds of my future career choices.

Linda Thomas

3/10/2016 08:51:39 am

Thank you, Jennifer, for the NF suggestions. I look forward to reading them along with your own books! I so agree that nonfiction can have pizazz!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:59:04 pm

Thanks Linda. Yay for nonfiction!

Robin currie link

3/10/2016 08:52:10 am

I have a tough time in NF section of the library finding books that above the line of ho-hum. Great books to start a new search!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:59:19 pm

Awesome!

Kathy Mazurowski

3/10/2016 08:52:54 am

Thank you thank you for reminding me of these titles. I will go back to my notes to look at my favorite words.

Andrea Allen

3/10/2016 08:53:25 am

Language is so important in a picture book - thank you for giving us some good examples to follow.

Maria Johnson

3/10/2016 08:54:20 am

Just the cover of Uninvited Guests gives me the shivers.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 01:59:55 pm

Then I wouldn't open the cover....<cue scary music> Haha Seriously, enjoy it!

Katelyn Aronson

3/10/2016 08:55:57 am

Thank you, Jen. These titles do look great, including your "Invited Guests" which looks creepily awesome! So true, lively language makes all the difference when it comes to reading aloud. And good pbs are all about that!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:00:32 pm

Thanks Katelyn. Yes, it is creepily awesome. Love that description

Joanne Sher link

3/10/2016 09:04:49 am

You are SO right - the language on these is absolutely engaging. Fascinating stuff. Definitely great mentor text. Thanks a bunch, Jennifer!

Natalie Rompella link

3/10/2016 09:17:36 am

Words really make or break a book. Can't wait to check out these titles.

Martin Segal

3/10/2016 09:17:52 am

Thank you for the lively mentor texts, Jen! I finally read Rosie Revere Engineer recently and loved it!

Sue Heavenrich link

3/10/2016 09:22:58 am

I like all these books - but this morning I was especially struck by the language in Hippos are HUGE! A combination of LARGE type and active verbs, similes, and other comparative language that make reading about hippos a HUGE amount of FUN!

Lori Dubbin

3/10/2016 09:27:21 am

Lively language for lively, real characters! Thank you for these shiny nonfiction recommendations!

Brook Gideon link

3/10/2016 09:28:47 am

Jen,
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions for books with fabulous language. I feel it's particularly important to make a non-fiction book exciting and not just a pile of dry facts (ZZZZzzzzz). These all hit the spot!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:00:56 pm

Exactly!!

Angela Turner

3/10/2016 09:32:51 am

I LOVE creative nonfiction! As a high school science teacher I sometimes used picture books as a way to grab students interest when beginning a new topic. They loved it.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:01:49 pm

Fantastic! You should check out some older science books, too. They are now being written in the same lively language to engage middle schoolers and high schoolers. Finally! :)

Emily J

3/10/2016 09:43:44 am

Excellent post about excellent books! Thank you Jennifer!

Sara Gentry

3/10/2016 09:46:29 am

Thank you, Jennifer, for the suggestions. I particularly enjoyed Hippos are Huge! The text was simple enough for younger children to understand, but the side note captions provided interesting facts for older children (and adults!) as well. I appreciate nonfiction books that can appeal to a wide range of ages.

Shelley Kinder

3/10/2016 09:49:47 am

Spicy words...love it! Can't wait to check out these books! Thanks for a great post.

MD Knabb

3/10/2016 09:52:29 am

These are great examples, Jen. I'm anxious to read them all- new to me and favorites already like Rosie. Thanks

Sydney O'Neill

3/10/2016 09:53:00 am

Interesting picture books about science were rare when my children were young and so eager to learn about the world. These books are filling an important need.

Marlene Rohr link

3/10/2016 09:53:25 am

These are great suggestions for sparking interest in children to read non-fiction titles. As a former library tech these were the kind of books I looked for and that teachers used as teaching resources. Looking forward to reading these books.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:02:18 pm

Awesome! I love to hear this

Denise Benavides

3/10/2016 09:54:21 am

Thanks - the colorful language made me want to read and read again.

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/10/2016 09:54:31 am

Thanks for the recommendations and for the lively writing in your work!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:02:49 pm

You are so welcome, Annette. Can't wait for everyone to read your awesome books soon

Lindsay Hanson Metcalf

3/10/2016 09:59:24 am

Totally agree! It's our job to make the NF topics just as exciting as the fictional ones. Great selections. I hadn't read Hippos or The Boy Who Loved Math - loved them!

Susan Deo

3/10/2016 10:02:43 am

What fun to read through your selection of nonfiction, Jennifer! I love the voice and the creative organization of all these books. I've read many before and am looking at them with new eyes now.

debbie mccue

3/10/2016 10:03:20 am

Jennifer, thanks for today's post.I think non-fiction can be so difficult to write in ways that grab children's attention, but your recommendations are inspiring and have given me much to think about.

I have never read THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH or CREATURE FEATURES until today and I loved both of them. I have requested HIPPOS ARE HUGE and can't wait to read it.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:03:09 pm

Yay! So happy to hear this

Brittany Orrico link

3/10/2016 10:05:26 am

Great post. Thanks, Jen!

Andrea Mack link

3/10/2016 10:06:11 am

It always amazes me how changing one word in a picture book can make such a difference! Your post is a great reminder to really think about word choice.

Karen Condit

3/10/2016 10:06:18 am

Great selection of books! I love language that can build vocabulary and makes reading fun! Thanks, Jennifer.

Jane Buttery link

3/10/2016 10:08:33 am

Just looking at these books reveal how you have made scietific subjects more appealing and,even exciting. I think these books would encourage girls to learn more about the brain, about bugs and mathematics. I heard youyr video and could tell the enthusiasm in your voice. Thanks for encouraging learning in this was- and with a teacher guide too.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:04:00 pm

Thanks for your kind words, Jane. I hope that my books do inspire kids to pursue science, or technology or engineering. STEMRocks!

Mary Jo Wagner

3/10/2016 10:11:25 am

It's too early in the morning for my brain to fire up "lively" so a simple "Thank you for the lively, educational reads" will have to suffice.

Melanie Ellsworth

3/10/2016 10:13:01 am

Thanks for your post, Jennifer. I'm enjoying the play on words in THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH and the way the author uses numbers rather than spelling them out - such as "she left him with the 1 person she knew would take very good care of him." Really clever writing!

LuAnn Kern

3/10/2016 10:18:15 am

Love these examples! Thank you!

Meena

3/10/2016 10:21:40 am

Love for language is what draws readers to any book. And the more livelier it is for picture books, the more attention it gets in addition to the attractive illustrations. Thanks for the suggestions.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/10/2016 10:29:29 am

Hi Jennifer, love this post! This is one of my goals -- livening up my dialog. I'm not familiar with any of these books, but thanks for the list and I'm off to the library to see what I can find!

Nadine Gamble

3/10/2016 10:33:57 am

Spice it up! Thanks!

JEN link

3/10/2016 10:37:14 am

Hi Jen, nice to bump into you again! I love the examples of using language to spice up a story or topic. That's so important.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:04:23 pm

Thanks JEN

AJ Irving link

3/10/2016 10:37:53 am

Great post on language. Thank you, Jennifer!

Heidi Yates

3/10/2016 10:39:27 am

Thank you Jennifer! These books are great examples. :)

Traci Bold link

3/10/2016 10:52:51 am

Great book selection on lively words Jennifer. :)

Ali Bovis

3/10/2016 10:55:24 am

Thanks so much for this wonderful post. I've read and adored Rosie Revere, Engineer so many times. But it was not until my read through today after your post where I realized soooo much of whats great about it is the amazing word choice!! Thanks!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:04:43 pm

Yay for realizations. :)

Sheri Rad

3/10/2016 11:00:54 am

Thank you Jen, I loved Hippos are Huge and the small boxes of interesting factual information.

Charlotte Dixon

3/10/2016 11:14:10 am

Thank you for the list Jen :) I enjoy your books and I will get my hands on the books you have suggested to spice up the words!

Anita Banks

3/10/2016 11:15:20 am

Thank you for the suggestions.

Angie Quantrell

3/10/2016 11:26:54 am

Thanks, Jennifer, for showing us how important it is to spice up our language - in a GOOD way! :)

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:04:58 pm

Ha :)

Juliana Lee link

3/10/2016 11:29:46 am

ReFoReMo has really opened up my eyes to non-fiction this year! I used to find non-fiction so dry... these new titles are amazing!

Gabrielle Snyder link

3/10/2016 11:33:36 am

Hooray for electrifying language! Thanks for these fantastic mentor text suggestions, Jennifer.

Keila Dawson link

3/10/2016 11:38:52 am

Nice to see science presented in so many fun ways these days. You never know how presentation may help something click with a kid. Well done!

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:08:51 pm

Yes, exactly, Keila

Chana Stiefel link

3/10/2016 11:44:38 am

Awesome selections Jen! Thank you. So true that we need to choose our words wisely in NF too.

Cecilia

3/10/2016 11:46:53 am

I find myself somtimes getting bogged down when writing nonfiction. Thanks for these examples on how to pump up the language and create a more exciting read!

Janie Reinart

3/10/2016 12:05:59 pm

Always love new titles! Yeah! Thanks for the post.

Ellen Leventhal

3/10/2016 12:19:10 pm

Thanks! Now I am pulling out a manuscript and checking it for lively language. I am familiar with Rosie Revere, but I really need to check out these others. :)

Cathy Ballou Mealey link

3/10/2016 12:38:13 pm

Lively indeed! Nice choices Jen.

darlene koppel link

3/10/2016 12:38:36 pm

Great information! Thank you for the mentor text references.

Sharon Putnam

3/10/2016 12:39:22 pm

Thank you for sharing your list of books with us, Jennifer. I love nonfiction and look forward to reading these

christie allred link

3/10/2016 12:43:17 pm

These were fun reads - I especially liked the language in "The Boy Who Loved Math". Thanks for the fun post :)

Pam Jones-Nill

3/10/2016 12:47:19 pm

Thanks for the mentor notes. I'm going to make this more conscious in my writing going forward.

Bev Baird

3/10/2016 12:50:39 pm

These books are grewat mentor texts. Great advice Jen

Karen Brady link

3/10/2016 12:53:35 pm

Yay for nonfiction! It's truly one of my favorite PB genres. These selections were wonderful. I especially enjoyed Hippos are Huge! I learned a lot of things about hippos I had never known before! I also loved the way Rosie Revere Engineer included the iconic Rosie the Riveter. Very cleverly done!

Anne Appert link

3/10/2016 12:57:00 pm

Can't wait to read these! Thanks for the post.

Donna L Martin link

3/10/2016 01:10:59 pm

I love all the attention grabbing words in those titles so I just KNOW I'm gonna love reading those books...;~)

Mike Karg link

3/10/2016 01:22:20 pm

Science is beautiful.

Cheryl Kim

3/10/2016 01:34:56 pm

Thanks for the great recommendations Jennifer! Looking forward to reading them all.

Jennifer Swanson

3/10/2016 02:09:30 pm

WOOT! Yes, Mike. ScienceROCKS!!

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/10/2016 01:34:51 pm

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm looking forward to reading these books!

Michele Manning

3/10/2016 01:47:12 pm

Loved Rosie Revere! Have already ordered it for the library. What a great lesson on "perfect failures"! Thanks!

sue twiggs

3/10/2016 01:48:21 pm

Jennifer,
Beautifying my language is one thing I really want to do with my manuscripts. Thanks for the mentor texts that I can use to show me how to do this.

Beverly Marsh

3/10/2016 01:49:32 pm

Great NF mentor texts. I wish there had been books like this when I was in school. It definitely makes learning more engaging. Thanks!

Ashley Bankhead

3/10/2016 01:53:07 pm

Thanks for the reminder to spice up our manuscripts with some spicy words. Sounds like a recipe for success to me.

Therese Nagi

3/10/2016 01:54:39 pm

Jen thanks for sharing books that use lively text!

Carla Ketner

3/10/2016 01:59:58 pm

Kids do love nonfiction, and books with lively language make them even more fun to read!

Nancy Rimar

3/10/2016 02:11:31 pm

I'm looking forward to reading these books - thanks for the list.

Jaclyn Kruzie link

3/10/2016 02:14:36 pm

Headed back to the library:) Thanks for the recommendations!

Laura Renauld

3/10/2016 02:19:46 pm

My boys and I loved Hippos are Huge! Exciting language certainly adds spice to nonfiction :)

Mary Worley

3/10/2016 02:25:20 pm

I love all the nonfiction that's coming out. Good to have a variety of ways to hook readers. Thanks for suggesting Hippos are Huge. I hadn't run across it before your list.

Anna Forrester link

3/10/2016 02:37:13 pm

Never mind diamonds -- a THESAURUS is a girl's best friend, right?

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/10/2016 02:47:20 pm

Spiced up language! One of my favorite topics. I've studied three of the five you've listed here. So off to get the other two! Thanks!

Bethany Roberts link

3/10/2016 03:17:01 pm

Thanks for the great mentor text list. We love Rosie Revere, Engineer at our house!

Brenda Huante

3/10/2016 03:30:40 pm

Thanks for the great examples, Jennifer. I love Hippos are Huge!

Lydia Lukidis link

3/10/2016 03:33:47 pm

Great post. I've become more aware of my language lately, making those subtle changes can really bring the MS to life.

Maria Marshall

3/10/2016 03:36:05 pm

Thank you Jen for a great list. I haven't read "The Boy Who Loved Math" and "Hippos are Huge." Waiting for them to come into my library. But I love your books and what you do with NF, so I can't wait to read books you admire! :-)

Ann Magee

3/10/2016 04:12:47 pm

Thanks, Jen. Sometimes I get so caught up in getting the facts down I forget about making the language as interesting as I can for little ones!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/10/2016 04:31:46 pm

I could use some language inspiration in my current MS! I think I've got a pretty good rhythm going but it's really helpful to read books that you feel especially hit the nail on the head with this feature. Thanks for sharing.

Judy Cooper link

3/10/2016 04:45:30 pm

Interesting selection of books. Thank you.

Jena Benton

3/10/2016 04:55:34 pm

I totally agree! These are some of my favorite books too!

Kimberly Marcus link

3/10/2016 05:15:57 pm

Really great choices. I love love loved Rosie Revere Engineer. The rhymes were terrific and it was so positive!! Thank you!!

Melissa Stoller link

3/10/2016 05:30:50 pm

The language in The Boy Who Loved Math and Rosie Revere, Engineer truly made those characters come alive. Thanks for the reminder to use spicy language in our writing!

Natalie Lynn Tanner

3/10/2016 05:38:59 pm

Jennifer: I really enjoyed researching this topic. Your book selection was spot-on, with GREAT examples of how to spice up a manuscript through word play. THANK YOU!

Trine

3/10/2016 06:01:53 pm

This lesson was a fun learning experience for me. I love words and these authors demonstrate how to stretch!

Colleen Paeff

3/10/2016 06:15:31 pm

Thanks, Jennifer!

Noelle McBride

3/10/2016 06:21:57 pm

Thank you for this great collection of mentor texts! It opens up many possibilities for writing!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/10/2016 06:30:26 pm

Thanks for sharing these, Jen! I particularly like the clever way numbers and the word 'problem' was used in "The Boy Who Loved Math". It inspires me to do the same with my manuscripts.

Celeste Gerard

3/10/2016 06:57:22 pm

Thanks for these title suggestions.

Holly Samson Hall

3/10/2016 07:08:48 pm

I know my kids and I love to read picture books with spicy words. It opens up some great discussions too! Thank you!

Dee Leone link

3/10/2016 07:20:39 pm

Great recommendations and a super website, Jennifer! Do you want to work on mine?

Susan Wroble link

3/10/2016 07:25:50 pm

This is my favorite genre! Thanks so much for the fun selection.

Cathy Breisacher

3/10/2016 07:34:51 pm

I looked at these books today and the language is wonderful! I made a list of "lively" words I like that might find their way into a future story. :)

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/10/2016 08:29:26 pm

Thank you Jennifer! I love the thought of words that "excite and electrify." These look like fabulous mentor texts, Thank you for sharing!

Mary Warth

3/10/2016 08:50:40 pm

Thanks for the post Jennifer. Several of the title are new to me!

Sandra Jenkins

3/10/2016 09:07:50 pm

Hippos Are Huge is on my favorites list. I'm headed to the spice cupboard. Thanks, Jennifer.

Nancy Ramsey

3/10/2016 09:31:01 pm

Thanks for this post! I love the lively language in Rosie Revere Engineer- Looking forward to reading all of your recommendations!

Carol Cole link

3/10/2016 09:34:58 pm

Great NF titles today. I enjoyed reading about Paul Erdos and especially loved the bookworms commentary in "No Monkeys, No Chocolate". Great examples of how to express science facts for the young audience.

Elizabeth Duncan link

3/10/2016 09:38:35 pm

I enjoyed experiencing the poetic language fused with the nonfiction science and math information. These books were inspiring.

Denise Engle

3/10/2016 10:24:35 pm

Love Melissa Stewart's No Monkeys No Chocolate! Truly great example of lively language! Thank you for including her work as a mentor text!

DeLeon

3/10/2016 10:30:17 pm

Great choice of books. I enjoyed reading them. I need to learn to write like this. Now I have the right mentor books to do it. I love when a fact is told in such an interesting way! Thank you, Jennifer

Rachel Hamby link

3/10/2016 10:33:48 pm

These books were so fun to read. I've really enjoyed all the nonfiction titles so far.

Pamela Courtney

3/10/2016 11:34:26 pm

Children love NF science books. And I love this post as it encourages us to be bold in our description. Whether it's descriptive, funny facts, or gross texts kids love learning new things in unique ways. What a great reminder. Thank you Jennifer.

Lenne' Musarra

3/11/2016 01:22:10 am

Thanks for the mentor text list and the reminder to spice up our words. I loved the question / answer style of Creature Features. So casual and to the point. The pictures and words fit perfectly. Looking forward to finding and reading more.

Sue Ganz-Schmitt link

3/11/2016 02:10:01 am

Thank you so much Jennifer for these great book suggestions. Hoping to make my manuscript much spicier with this inspiration!

Tina Cho link

3/11/2016 02:21:30 am

Thank you for these books, Jen! Looking forward to reading them all.

Lisa Billa

3/11/2016 02:59:44 am

Thanks for these great suggestions! Hippos are a huge interest in our house right now. Nice to have such fun with nonfiction!

Anne Young

3/11/2016 05:31:43 am

Thank you for introducing me to The Boy Who Loved Math. I especially enjoyed the contrasts between his personal and professional lives. My new favourite picture book.

Leah Heilman Schanke

3/11/2016 07:09:00 am

These are wonderful examples of being creative with non-fiction. Thank you!

Kirsten Larson

3/11/2016 09:33:45 am

One of the best nonfiction writing lessons I learned was to highlight my language with different colored pens -- verbs, alliteration, metaphors, etc. That's always my first editing pass once I've got the content right.

Christine Rodenbour

3/11/2016 10:24:19 am

Can't wait to read these!

Joan Swanson

3/11/2016 10:47:49 am

I found it very interesting on the book No Monkeys No Chocolate how everything was so dependent on each peice to make chocolate!

Tracey Brown

3/11/2016 12:36:53 pm

Thanks for these mentor text suggestions, Jennifer. Looking forward to reading them

Rachel Hamby link

3/11/2016 01:25:46 pm

Checking out Abiyoyo was fun! I had Reading Rainbow flashbacks! :)

Amanda Sincavage

3/11/2016 03:07:45 pm

Thanks Jennifer. I could really feel the excitement and enthusiasm of the author in Hippos Are Huge! A great message of perseverance for writers in Rosie Revere!

Ashley Pierson

3/11/2016 04:58:04 pm

Thanks so much Jennifer! This was great inspiration!

Laurie Bouck

3/11/2016 09:25:07 pm

Great advice, thank you! :)

Lisa Morgan

3/12/2016 11:05:52 am

Thank you, Jennifer! This is a great collection of books. I love language and words...I think all of us writers do! As a early childhood science teacher, Rosie Revere, Engineer is very much a favorite of mine. "You did it! Hooray! It's a perfect first try! This great flop is over. It's time for the next!" PERFECT words for your young engineers!

Helen Dening link

3/12/2016 01:31:20 pm

Thanks for the list, Jennifer. Books with great imagery and are electrifying are the books with longevity.

Ginger Weddle

3/12/2016 01:33:56 pm

Jennifer, I love the way you use higher level vocabulary in picture books. This is a great post! As a speech-language pathologist I have frequently incorporated picture books into therapy to reinforce vocabulary and language concepts in a fun way.

Suzanne Poulter Harris

3/12/2016 03:41:51 pm

What fun titles! Hooray for lively non-fiction!

Marilyn Garcia

3/12/2016 05:27:52 pm

Thank goodness children's authors are using lively language in all genres. It's such a delicate balance to achieve between presenting enough factual information and making the presentation an enjoyable read. These book suggestions are just what I have been looking for. Thanks!

dfrybarger

3/12/2016 09:16:31 pm

Thanks for the great reads! Loved this post!

Jennifer Cole Judd link

3/12/2016 11:51:25 pm

Woohoo! More awesome NF reads! I've been so inspired by fantastic nonfiction picture books lately--lovely and lively (and I definitely wish these had been around when I was a kid as well). Thanks for these suggestions!

Lotus Ivak link

3/13/2016 08:07:33 am

Hi Jennifer, thank you for your suggestions on how to liven up language!

Angela De Groot

3/13/2016 10:00:24 am

Uninvited Guests looks creepy - in a really good way! Thanks for these NF lively-language mentor texts. Love Hippos Are Huge.

Lynn Alpert link

3/13/2016 01:32:14 pm

I love ROSIE REVERE and IGGY PECK ARCHITECT because of the lovely lyrical language. Thanks for your suggestions on other books like these!

Valarie Giogas

3/13/2016 02:38:58 pm

Can't wait to read these examples. Thanks!!

Juli Caveny link

3/13/2016 04:38:09 pm

Thanks for sharing these great books w/us!

Charlene Steadman

3/13/2016 06:42:13 pm

As a retired elementary teacher I wish I had these books when I was teaching (but my grandsons will enjoy them with me). What progress has been made with nonfiction books!!

Susie Sawyer link

3/14/2016 12:08:00 am

Thank you for these great mentor texts. I've always shied away from nonfiction, but these (and you) have inspired me to rethink my shyness. :)

Jess Townes link

3/14/2016 07:32:41 am

Thanks for the great selections! The Boy Who Loved Math is a favorite in our house of math loving children. It was fun to see these books through new eyes with a focus on word choice!

Lauren Kerstein link

3/14/2016 11:25:52 am

Yes, the most juicy of topics falls flat without delicious words!

Cindy Cornwall

3/14/2016 11:58:15 am

Many of these books were new to me, so there was lots of discovery. With No Monkeys, No Chocolate, the structure was interesting (Melissa Stewart's note in the back references "layered text"...new to me.) Rosie Revere is another winner from Andrea Beaty. I loved Iggy Peck Architect, and noticed she has one coming out called Ada Twist, Scientist. Wish I could rhyme with half her ability. Thanks Jennifer!

Kristen Schroeder

3/14/2016 12:17:42 pm

Great book recommendations! Thank you!

Linda Hofke

3/14/2016 07:32:36 pm

Nonfiction books just keep getting better and better.

Virginia Law Manning link

3/14/2016 11:02:20 pm

My son who is 12 and I read a lot of non-fiction picture books together. We loved HIPPOS ARE HUGE and THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH. Thank you for sharing this great list!

Anne-Marie Strohman

3/15/2016 05:15:43 pm

Thanks for the great PB examples!

Wendy Greenley

3/15/2016 09:14:21 pm

Hi, Jennifer! I already have a copy of your book but I wanted to say thank you for the post. :)

sharon langley link

3/16/2016 02:11:00 pm

It's so great to have an opportunity to use specific (science or other) vocabulary...thank you!

Kristen Browning

3/16/2016 10:25:59 pm

Thanks for your post and for your fun book choices. I enjoyed reading THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH again. I was especially impressed this time around by the illustrations and the illustrator's back matter. These books are so engaging. I, too, grew up with very dry NF. I am so happy with the variety and the accessibility of NF these days. I liked the lively language of HIPPOS ARE HUGE and the format of CREATURE FEATURES. Thanks for the great examples of what can be done with NF.

L. Michelle Quraishi link

3/16/2016 10:46:16 pm

Words to love from Rosie Revere: peeked, eaves, gadget, gizmos, swooping, dispenser, chuckled, perplexed, dismayed, lingers, crept, sputtered, twitched, wheezed, baffled, doohickeys...and all with perfect rhythm and rhyme! Wow.

Myrna Foster

3/17/2016 03:23:00 am

Thanks for the tip! These are wonderful examples!

Shari Della Penna link

3/17/2016 12:00:50 pm

Your great examples show us how NF can (and should!) sing and dance! Thanks.

Suzy Leopold

3/19/2016 10:29:01 pm

The lively use of language makes picture books sing. Thank you, Jennifer.

Gabrielle Schoeffield

3/20/2016 09:44:18 am

My daughter who loves math read THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH out loud to me. She loved learning something new about a "fellow mathematician"...
Thanks for the insights!

Lisa Williams

3/20/2016 11:08:55 pm

Great post! Read-alouds are always better when the author has taken the time to make great word choices. I love Steve Jenkins books. Great post!

Linda Kujawski link

3/21/2016 08:55:19 am

Jennifer, thank you for this list of mentor texts with exciting words...and titles!

Jill Jeffries

3/21/2016 09:49:26 am

This just goes to show how picture books should never talk down to kids. Spice up the words and keep it fascinating! Loved these ideas. Thank you.

Rosie Pova

3/21/2016 02:33:00 pm

That's the goal :) Make the words count and be memorable! Thanks.

Karen Bell

3/22/2016 11:49:17 am

How fun to learn through picture books that are full of lively language that brings the topic to life and into a child's world. Thanks Jennifer.

Sadee Schilling

3/22/2016 01:46:24 pm

I have noticed when reading to my kids that sometimes the sillier the the book, the better. They get really enthusiastic for the lively language! Thanks for the wonderful recommendations.

Cindy Jolley

3/23/2016 04:27:28 pm

Thanks for this list of mentor texts! The language in these books made for quite an enjoyable read-aloud to myself! I want to reread all of my own manuscripts to check for spicy words!

Dina Ticas

3/24/2016 12:19:33 am

I just LOVED the books featured. Thank you for broadening my base. I am attempting to add some electrifying words to a manuscript now.

Claire Noland link

3/25/2016 03:37:31 pm

These example show how nonfiction can be as lively as fiction. Thanks for encouraging us to make our manuscripts livelier.

Lauri Meyers

3/25/2016 09:00:35 pm

Thank you for all these spicy selections!

Susie Sawyer link

3/27/2016 06:56:33 pm

Lively language can make all the difference. It's just as fun to write it as it is to read it. :) Thank you Jennifer! Great mentor texts.

Lynne Marie link

3/28/2016 10:15:39 am

Thanks for livening up the language, Jen!

LuAnn Kern

3/28/2016 12:15:46 pm

Great selections to showcase language in nonfiction PBs! Thanks!

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/29/2016 10:14:29 pm

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/29/2016 10:16:57 pm

Thank you for this wonderful list of quirky nonfiction texts! My favorite was the boy who loved math. It really highlighted Paul erdos' life with simple but playful text and use of numbers for play just like Paul loved! I also enjoyed the funny questions in creature features.

Dina Ticas

3/29/2016 11:04:18 pm

Once again, they're all great books. I found that "Creature Features" really did it for me. I could see my Kindergartners eating this up. Thanks!

ReFoReMo Day 10: Jennifer Swanson Livens Up Language

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