Can a picture book be 96 pages long? ODD DUCK by Cecil Castellucci and illustrated by Sara Varon may be just that; a 96 page picture book. It is published by First Second Books, publisher of graphic novels. I guess it could be a graphic novel for the picture book …
I’m deviating from our usual kind of post to mark a personal milestone of sorts. Twenty years ago this month, I quit my job at UCLA to write children’s books. Not exactly something I’d recommend—the quitting your job part—especially since I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. But …
This week, fellow Picture Book Builder Pat Zietlow-Miller and I celebrated the release of our newest picture book, WHEREVER YOU GO. This book’s journey began nearly 2 years ago for me (Pat will have to let us know how much longer it’s been for her!), when Little Brown editor Connie Hsu …
On a recent school visit, a Media Specialist asked how I thought the Common Core State Standards have affected children’s authors. Mmmmm … interesting question. As most everyone knows, the Common Core State Standards emphasize the importance of students reading nonfiction books (called “informational text,” which includes biographies and autobiographies, …
Last month on 100 Scope Notes, Travis Jonker shared a wonderful post called “The Art of the Picture Book Barcode.” Now I have always loved spotting a well-placed barcode on the back of a picture book. Seeing a collection of that kind of awesomeness? What more could I want?! I thought it would be …
I don’t remember the last time I laughed out loud reading a picture book. So I bought it. Then I made my 20 year old and 17 year old read it. They chuckled and I laughed again and again. Sparky! By Jenny Offill and illustrated by Chris Appelhans is my idea of …
Jill Esbaum’s most recent post was on a picture book that breaks the rules. It made me smile because I’ve been mulling over the same topic lately. I’m a big rule follower. I think rules exist for a reason and, usually, life goes more easily if you follow them. But some …
I’ve found a new superhero to adore. His name? Superworm. His kooky rhyming story is written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Most character-driven picture book stories follow a traditional format: a) Main character has a problem (or goal) b) Things happen, repeatedly, to keep him …
Cat just wants to be loved. And he is kind of a…um…control freak. When he realizes how loved the Easter Bunny is he is a little put off or jealous. With his snappish back and forth with the reader (using signs, because, really, cats don’t talk) he takes us up …
I’ve enjoyed Margie Palatini’s books for years. And when I crack one open, I’ve come to expect certain things: a distinctive voice, great humor, and lively, rhythmic language packed with repetition, puns, and clever wordplay. What I don’t usually expect? Brevity. But No Nap! Yes Nap! (Little, Brown, 2014) IS brief. …