Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Yes!” by Jolene Gutiérrez

Posted on by Beth Anderson

All it takes is one word to launch you on a new adventure! Jolene Gutiérrez shares how a picture book manuscript grew into a middle grade nonfiction book, and also how she embraced opportunity to stretch herself in the process. 

And thank you, Jolene, for offering a copy of your book to one lucky winner! Comment below for a chance to win!

Congratulations to Michele Helsel, winner of NO VOICE TOO SMALL from last week’s post by Lindsay Metcalf! 

Jolene author photo fence small

“The Power of YES” by Jolene Gutiérrez

I’m so excited to invite you for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of my new middle grade nonfiction book Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks!

Bionic Beasts coverBionic Beasts started out as a 1,000 word picture book that I submitted to Carol Hinz at Lerner in response to her call for STEM picture books. When Carol saw the manuscript, she told me that she really liked the idea but asked if I’d be willing to grow the story to a middle grade book with five chapters (plus an intro and concluding chapter). That meant I would be writing what equated to five picture books, as each chapter was supposed to be ~1,000 words. I’d never written a middle grade nonfiction before, but of course, I said YES!

MOSHA photo credit: FAE Hospital

 

*Got goals?

I had goals in creating the five chapters.

  1. I wanted to represent various types of animals. I found so many stories about cats and dogs with prosthetic legs, but I wanted to include a variety of animals to keep things interesting.
  2. I wanted to explore stories from around the world featuring humans ranging from students to professionals. Google Translate became my friend as I reached out to people around the world.
  3. I wanted to include a variety of procedures and devices, from osseointegration to nonsurgical solutions.
  4. I needed to find stories with plenty of high-quality photos available. Lerner doesn’t require their authors to acquire the photos, but those photos need to exist to support the text.Lola cropped

*Get active!

In writing the chapters, I was in touch with multiple people. I usually interviewed the owner or caregiver of the animal and I also tried to talk with the surgeons, prosthetists, or people involved with helping the animal. In talking with Tim Witoski, an orthotist in British Columbia who primarily works with humans but also makes orthoses for Pirate the Berkshire-Tamworth pig from RASTA Sanctuary, Tim told me that the way pigs walk is essentially like humans walking on the tips of their fingers and toes. He created an experiential activity called “Walk Like a Pig” in one of his emails to me that would help readers understand and experience how difficult it is for Pirate the pig to try to walk on three legs. When I shared Tim’s idea with Carol, my editor, she said, “I love this! Would you consider creating some sort of hands-on activity for each chapter?” I’d never created hands-on activities before, but of course, I said yes!Pirate cropped

*Sensitivity readers

So the book was written, and in the case of one chapter, re-written. I’d created activities for each chapter. I’d done research around writing about animals with disabilities or limb difference and tried to keep what I’d learned in mind. I’d done my best to write with animal-first language, avoid ableism, and not depict the animals as heroes. I’d done that work, and still, I really wanted to have sensitivity readers check the manuscript. My editor gave me the approval to seek out sensitivity readers and I was so, so fortunate to find Karen, Mike, and Selah Gilbert from NUBtribe. They read through the book and Karen met with me to share her thoughts. We spent hours together, going through her notes, and then I spent days implementing her suggestions and changes. Bionic Beasts is so much stronger because of Karen and her family’s insights.

CASSIDY photo credit: Steve PosovskyVitoria and goslings cropped
So this book that started as a 1,000 word picture book is now a 10,000 word middle grade book, and I couldn’t be happier! Even though I had a lot to learn along the way, Carol’s suggestions allowed me to tell these stories in a way that will hopefully reach readers and inspire them to become the next generation of people who will help animals.

Don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of Bionic Beasts! (continental US addresses only, please)

BIO: Jolene grew up on a farm and now lives with her family and a variety of animals in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. A school librarian for 25 years, Jolene spends her days sharing children’s books and her nights writing them. 

25 thoughts on “Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Yes!” by Jolene Gutiérrez”

  1. I remember hearing about this book when it was still a picture book. 😊 Such an interesting journey for you as a writer and as a middle grade it really reaches a bigger audience. Congratulations on this amazing project. You know how much I love this.

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  5. Oh my, I was looking up books about unlikely animal friendships for my great grandchildren and I can’t believe I opened Beth’s Post today. What a fascinating book. Youth will love this! I recognize that it is perfect for middle grade students, but is it over the head for an advanced 6 1/2 year -old, if his mother read it to him. I did see the Elephant’s New Foot in PB, but was looking for something more for this animal-loving kid. I also just looked it up at my library and submitted a recommendation for purchase. So happy to see this post today! Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you so much, Patricia! There will be vocabulary words and maybe a few concepts in BIONIC BEASTS that might be a little tough for him, but because each story is about a different animal, it’s essentially a collection of 5 high-level picture books. Each chapter is about 1,000 words and includes an activity to extend learning. Since you mentioned he’s advanced, I think he’d really enjoy the book and I think it’s something he’ll be able to come back to revisit as he grows. I also have a teacher’s guide here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fQ7D9bkM5A6k9CtJeNkVW7qIGnf39xd8/view

      Thank you so much for asking your local library to purchase a copy! I’m so appreciative!!

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    1. That makes me so happy, Steve! I’m grateful to you and Dr. Marcellin-Little for sharing Cassidy’s story with me, too, and so excited to see how this book will encourage young readers to adopt shelter dogs and maybe even become veterinary surgeons! Cassidy lives on through that.

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  7. I’m so glad you said •Yes!” And that you are so willing to share your experience and expertise with the world, not only through your book, but as a supportive member of the writing community too! I know this book will be incredibly successful for you, and I couldn’t be happier!

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  11. What a terrific topic, Jolene. I’ve read about scientists doing this with dogs and cats but not about other animals. Your book is a great way for kids to learn about the advances scientists are making in prosthetic for animals. Upper grade school to middle school kids will find your book fascinating. Terrific post. I will look for your book. My grand kids would love it.!

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  12. Pingback: Especially for Educators: “A Treasure Trove for Teaching Writing” by Julie Danneberg – Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

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