1000 Books!!!
January 1st, 2008 by Sara
Hooray! On the last day of 2007, I reached my goal of reading 1000 picture books in 100 days. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my writing. I have a new understanding of picture books that I’m already putting to good use and much fun.
I kept track of all the books on LibraryThing. You can sort the entries by any category, author, ratings, or, most handy of all, publisher. I’m excited about using it to see what publishing houses are publishing what sort of books. I hope you find the list useful as well.
To celebrate in the right way, I finished the Great Picture Book Read of ‘07 by reading 2 of my favorite classics to the people who read me my first picture books. My parents.
Here I am reading my final books, Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to my rapt audience.
Many thanks to Linda Sue Park, who suggested at this summer’s SCBWI conference that reading this many picture books was essential to writing one yourself. She is a great writer and one smart woman. Happy New Year, Everyone!
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, Nifty happenings, Books
January 4th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
that’s so awesome! i am super proud of you for making it through all 1000 in 100 days! quite an acheivement, and i’m sure you’re already reaping the benefits :) congratulations!
January 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hurray for Sara!
That’s amazing - and it proves that ambitious plans yield impressive results!
I’m super proud of you!
1000 picture books in 100 days…
WOW!
Hurray!
Lee
January 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Wow, that is SO inspiring… congratulations on achieving your goal!!!
Happy New Year!!!
:D Monique
January 8th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Woo hoo!! Congratulations!! And thanks for keeping us posted on all these great finds!!! :D
Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree
December 25th, 2007 by Sara
Haiku Review:
Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Christmas time machine,
This book is just the right size.
I am 5 again.
Merry Everything, Everyone!
Posted in Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read, I heart this book, Haiku review, Nifty happenings, Books
January 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I just read this, thanks to you. I totally loved it.
What a great idea for a Christmas picture book!!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I used to (and still do) love how everyone in the book re-uses and re-uses again the christmas tree.
Words VS Pictures
December 10th, 2007 by Sara
My friend, Tonilyn, asked me the other day if I thought illustrations and text were a 50/50 partnership in picture books. Hmmm…. lets find out.
Fight!
Illustrations can make or break a picture book. You cannot have a great book without great pictures.
Mediocre Text + Fantastic Pictures= Good Book
Fantastic Text + Mediocre Pictures= Mediocre Book
Ouch! I’m sure there are exceptions to the ‘Law of Pictures’ that I’ve just totally pulled out of my b… uh… brain. But, 
ultimately, illustrations have the power to bring a book to life. They engage and capture us. If the pictures don’t resonate with us, the reader, if they don’t give us a rich, active world, then the story and characters are never going to win us over.
But wait! Words still have a chance here. I mean, they come first. The words are what inspire the pictures. Without words, there are no books. Right?
But, what about Flotsam by David Wiesner? Or Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman? They don’t have any words.
Okay. Without stories, there are no pictures. I suggest that authors and their stories are what inspire the pictures in the first place. If the words don’t hint at more than just what’s on the page, or if they give too much detail, then the illustrators can’t create wonderful pictures. Words and stories are critical in their ability to fire up the imagination of both the illustrator and the reader.
Ooops. Does that mean, in this fierce battle to the death, that pictures and words really are an even match?
Ummm…
Good question.
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, Illustration, Books, Writing
December 10th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
it is certainly an interesting dance that words and pictures perform. but this article? PERFECT. Player 1 Wins!
December 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Maybe we need to separate out the word half of it - and acknowledge that there are (at least) two components that make up the words: The story, and then the text that tells the story. I’ve definitely read some books where I loved the story but I thought it wasn’t told from the best viewpoint, or in the most exciting way… So I think maybe it’s 40% story, 10% text, and 50% pictures for picturebooks. And yes, those statistics are straight out of my Brain, too. In a novel, I’d go for 50% story and 50% text… how much of that is character, I’m not sure…
hmmm…
who knew math would come in so useful?
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7th, 2007 by Sara
My Little Sister Ate One Hare
written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Maggie and the Monster
written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
The OK Book
written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Chickens to the Rescue
by John Himmelman
Bark, George
by Jules Feiffer
Click,Clack,Moo: Cows That Type
written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Waking Up Wendall
written by April Stevens and illustrated by Tad Hills
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes
Traction Man is Here
by Mini Grey
Here are a few books I want to read over and over, give to everyone I know, and fill my bookshelves with. Hope you enjoy them, too. Have any favorite reads I haven’t mentioned?
Wanna see the other 800 picture books?
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
December 11th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Lately I can’t stop reading Ugly Fish. I finish it and start over without even thinking about it. :D (I saw you’ve read it, too!!)
Of course I will eagerly be hunting down those on this latest roundup that are new to me!! Thanks, Sara!!
r
Books of the Week: Great books, Tough topics
November 30th, 2007 by SaraThere are some topics that it’s impossible to imagine a great picture book about. Until someone does it. Here are a few books that are great stories first, important topics second. As I mentioned in my ‘issue books‘ review, it’s so important to have stories that reflect children’s experiences. But it takes a great writer to reflect them meaningfully, engagingly, and with such compassion.
Before You Were Mine written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by David Walker
This is a wonderful story about adopting a rescue dog. The child asks the inevitable questions about what the dog’s life was before the child adopted him. Maribeth Boelts doesn’t skirt away from hard thoughts about neglecting or abandoning animals. Instead, she deals with these ideas with compassion, looking to ignorance rather than meanness as the culprit.
As if that wasn’t enough to take on, the child also tells his adopted dog about his other dog, who grew old and had to be put to sleep. This is all done with such gentleness and tenderness that the book retains it’s focus on the friendship between a boy and his dog, without dwelling on the darker side of things. Amazingly well done.
Visiting Day written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by James Ransome
Jacqueline Woodson writes this lovely story about a girl visiting her dad in prison. It focuses on the excitement the girl and her grandma feel about the upcoming visit, about the preparations they make, and how good it feels for the girl to see her father.
This is all done in the context of normalcy, without any judgement or negativity about the girl’s father being in jail. The illustrations are also beautiful and bring out the emotion, softness, and joy in the story. This book brought this subject into a whole new light for me and I love that it is out there.
The Magic Beads written by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund and illustrated by Genevieve Cote
The Magic Beads starts off as a ‘new school’ book, but you quickly realize it is much more. Lillian is starting a new school because she and her mother are living at a shelter, escaping Lillian’s abusive father. Though this is a huge and difficult subject, it manifests itself in specific and very real problem for Lillian. Show and Tell.
Everyday, a different student brings in something cool to show the class. While other students show off their expensive toys and gadgets, the butterflies in Lillian’s stomach turn into grasshoppers and, eventually, buffaloes. Lillian had to leave all her toys, nice clothes, and comforts behind when they left her father. Now, she has nothing to show. She misses her stuff and her Dad a little, too. Triumphantly, Lillian finds her own way to wow the class in this well crafted and engaging story. What a great way to discuss a difficult subject.
Wanna see the what else I’ve been reading?
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, I heart this book, Books, Writing
November 30th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
wow. i knew that i wanted to read ‘before you were mine’ when you told me about it, but you didn’t mention the other books you had read. these sound awesome, and i want to read them if you haven’t taken them back to the library already! :)
December 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I am super excited as well. It’s like being towed along in the wake of a super powerful boat. You plow through an ocean of picture books, unstoppable, and I end up reading . . . as many as you can post about in your wake!
I don’t understand my own metaphor, but that’s what it feels like, anyway. ;)
Books of the Week: ‘Truck’ Books
November 25th, 2007 by Sara
There’s probably a better name for this genre, but I call them Truck books. It includes any book that kids love because of the big machines, trains, or trucks that vroom and crunch through it. Though I started out a bit disdainful of this necessary, but often boring genre, I’m learning to respect a good Truck book. Here’s the one that changed my mind:
Trucks Roll written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Craig Frazier
The best part about this book is that it’s funny. Though the trucks are beautifully drawn and realistic, they drive across the country carrying loads of giant chocolate chip cookies, puzzle pieces, and dogs. The active rhyme makes this book great to read, as well as look at.
Easy Street written by Rita Gray and illustrated by Mary Bono
Easy Street is a simple, rhyming book about paving a street. What makes this book special is the pictures. Little clay, doozer-like people build the road page by page. Real dirt, gravel, and asphalt are used in the pictures, giving a detailed and exciting look to the process. I swear I could smell the hot tar.
The Three Little Rigs by David Gordon
A twist on the The Three Little Pigs. This book has wonderfully personified machines and enough technical details to really fascinate a child.
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo written by Kevin Lewis and illustrated by Daniel Kirk
I already raved about this perfectly rhyming, colorful picture book. But this list wouldn’t be complete without it.
Special Mention: Up Above & Down Below by Sue Redding
This book really captures your imagination. Though not a typical ‘truck’ book, it has the same sort of detail and behind the scenes look that kids love. It shows, often humorously, what’s going on above and below in each scene. On the second floor and on the first floor. Bunnies in the garden and below the ground. Kids on the street and workers under it. Simple rhymes and great pictures make this a joy to read.
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
November 26th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Fab. I love the ones you introduced me to before, and I can’t wait to read these others now! :D
One for my baby and one more (page turn) for the road
November 20th, 2007 by Sara
That last page can make or break a story. At the SCBWI Schmooze the other day, someone asked what I was learning from the Great Picture Book Read of ‘07. So here’s the biggest thing. It’s not enough to have a good story. You must have a great ending.
A ’sweet’ last page ends up feeling cheesy if it’s not combined with a giggle. The ‘quiet’ ending leaves you trying to turn one more page, sure that the story isn’t actually over. As a writer, it’s important to ask, is that final page going to deliver a laugh? A twist? A zing? At least a smile? If the reader is going to feel satisfied, it really needs to.
Marla Frazee and her editor, Allyn Johnston, talked a lot about this during the summer conference. Even for a simple book like Everywhere Babies, they sweated over the ending. The last page turn was originally super sweet. I think the picture was a parent hugging a baby and the text went something like this:
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for all that they do, for being so wonderful…just like you!”
They wanted a zingier ending, so the text was changed to this and was paired with a baby taking her first steps.
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for traveling so far, for being so wonderful…just as they are!”
This was definitely less sweet, but still didn’t give them that final zing they were looking for. So, they kept the new text, but changed the picture. Now, in the published version, the page spread before the final page is a kid’s first birthday party and the final page reads “Just as they are.” With a baby grinning proudly with cake all over her face. This change transformed the final page turn from an ‘ahhhhh….’ to a chuckle. And it makes for a much stronger book.
The perfect ending is definitely tricky to do. Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst brings us a laugh at the end by giving a twist to the repeated phase, “I think I’ll move to Australia.” The book ends with “Mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.”
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett and Miss Nelson is Missing written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall both use pictures and text to give us a tantalizing hint that everything is not exactly as it seems.
Often, the final zing is completely in the pictures. Olivia by Ian Falconer is a classic example of the visual last page turn. On the final page of the books, you get to see what grand dreams she is imagining. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems is the same way. Mo Willems even uses the end papers to show the Pigeon imagining himself driving the big rig. Pssst! by Adam Rex uses a visual twist masterfully, though I won’t ruin the surprise. David Wiesner is also a master at this in Tuesday and Sector 7.
Though this may sound a bit obvious, the entire book is leading up to the ending. The final page turn often determines whether the book will make a lasting impression on the reader. It’s your last chance to win over the reader or get that final smile. So make it a good one.
The End
Posted in Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read, Illustration, SCBWI, Books, Writing
Be the First to Leave a Comment »
Books of the Week: For the old’uns
November 18th, 2007 by Sara
It’s Day 56 in my journey to 100 Days, 1000 Books. I’ve read 574 books so far and I’m loving it. Mostly. Here are some of the books that are making this adventure a joy.
Part II of the best of reads brings my favorite picture books for the sophisticated, jet-setting, caviar munching, seen-it-all 4 to 8 age group. These books usually have more story, more humor, and more layers. When this added complexity manages to hang on to its clear focus and simplicity, magic happens.
Nini Here and There by Anita Lobel
When the suitcases come out, your pet’s heart fills with dread. This wonderful story turns the traumas of having to travel with your pet into a imaginative adventure.
Zuzu’s Wishing Cake written by
Zuzu is a fantastically creative, eccentric, and active main character. The distinctive style of the illustrations and fun story draw you in and make you fall in love.
Great Big Guinea Pigs by
The collage style pictures really work with this unusual guinea pig tale of natural history that brings you straight into prehistoric times.
Chicks and Salsa written by
The chickens are tired of their plain old feed. And who can blame them? They want salsa! Keep your eyes out for the enterprising and very funny rats.
Rainstorm by
A wordless picture book that spins a quietly magical tale of secret passageways on a rainy day.
Peanut by Linas Alsenas
The ridiculous pictures play counterpoint to the understated illustrations, making this one of the funniestpicture books I’ve read.
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown written by
Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, are unstoppable. A great stuffed animal story with hilarious 
pictures and outspoken main characters.
Special Mention: Pssst…
I’ve already exclaimed about this imaginative book, but I just couldn’t leave it out!
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
Be the First to Leave a Comment »
Flirting with inspiration
November 14th, 2007 by Sara
The Westside Schmooze, part of the LA SCBWI, is going to be talking about genres today. What is the difference between board books and picture books? Middle grade and YA? Is it smart to switch between these age groups?
This topic is especially relevent to my life right now. After being completely devoted to my young adult novel for several years, I’ve started cheating. At first, it was just a picture book idea scribbled down here or there. Then, at the bookstore, I would slow down as I passed by the picture book section on my way to young adult. Now I’m shamelessly reading picture books as a passionate obsession. I’ll admit it, I’m a two-timer and I really like playing around.
The advantage of dating around the genres is that when you get stuck on one thing, you can move on for a while. I love the angsty complexity of my YA story, but I’m relieved to indulge in the colorful, poetic world of the picture book. I’ve got a crush on the simplicity, the humor, the interactive nature of repetition and reading out loud.
So am I a picture book writer now? No. I still want to finish revising my novel. I still want to create graphic novels with Tony and try my hand at chapter books. This may not be the easiest or most traditional way to work in children’s books. But what can I say? I’m a flirt!
Posted in Genres, Picture books, SCBWI, Books, Writing
November 15th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I feel the same way. Sometimes, as much as you love the first genre you’ve chosen, your needs change. Sometimes it’s nice to say anything’s possible. What matters is that I’m still reading and writing. That’s my passion.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
You’ll have to forgive me — I am new at commenting on blogs. What I really wanted to say was thanks for articulating what I feel about flirting with other genres. You do that so well; you almost always say what’s on my mind.
:D
November 15th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Thanks. I know what you mean. It’s always great when someone expresses the same thoughts or feelings you have. That’s what I love about reading so much. It’s magical when a character’s emotions reflect my own. It always makes me feel less alone in the world.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Hey Sara! You did a great job delineating the various kid genres at the Schmooze on Wed nite! Sparked some interesting questions. What’s on the agenda for the next one?
November 16th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Thanks! The next schmooze is about openings. Here’s the blurb: Are You Hooked Yet? First pages, opening hooks, and editor-grabbing synopses.
How can you use your first pages, first lines, and queries to hook readers and editors. Join us as we try to define the indefinable something that glues readers to the page. Learn from other schmoozer’s openings and share your own.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Sara, I worked with Tony at GDC and PAX this last year. I’d be so stoked to see a graphic novel produced by the 2 of you!
Wiggle and Waggle
November 12th, 2007 by Sara
I was at Children’s Book World the other day, and let me take this opportunity to say that Children’s Book World is an awesome bookstore. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and generous with their time and attention. It’s by far the best place to find a good read in Los Angeles.
Anyway, I was at Children’s Book World and the manager was showing me her favorite new picture books. She pulled Wiggle and Waggle written by Caroline Arnold and illustrated by Mary Peterson for me to read. I was so excited because Mary Peterson is a friend of mine. It’s thrilling to look around and see my illustrator and writer friends succeeding. Bookstore favorites, novels under contract, interested editors, magazines. So many of the wonderful stories and pictures we’re creating are finally finding their way out into the world. Hooray!
Posted in Picture books, The Great Picture Book Read, I heart this book, Nifty happenings, Books, Writing
November 13th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
This is just the awesomest.
I love Wiggle and Waggle! Yay, Mary!!
:D
r
