Category: fiction

Mining for Heart: From Classic to Contemporary – Writing (or Rewriting) a Concept Picture Book By Miranda Paul

September 2, 2016

Do concept books have a special element of heart? The good ones do! This month, Miranda Paul shares her process in creating her latest book, 10 Little Ninjas. … More Mining for Heart: From Classic to Contemporary – Writing (or Rewriting) a Concept Picture Book By Miranda Paul

Mining the Setting: “In the Canyon: How Setting Became Story” by Liz Garton Scanlon

August 19, 2016

With the “Paging Through the Parks” celebration of the 100th anniversary of  U.S. National Parks during August, it’s the perfect time to examine setting. Liz Garton Scanlon  shares her experience mining the setting for story. What she found sprang from her own experience and memories, and how the setting had touched her.  In the Canyon: How Setting … More Mining the Setting: “In the Canyon: How Setting Became Story” by Liz Garton Scanlon

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

August 5, 2016

This week –  a middle grade favorite. And next week, I’ll be launching a monthly series from published authors entitled “Mining for Heart.” Stay tuned. Title: Pax Written by: Sara Pennypacker Illustrated by: Jon Klassen Balzer & Bray/Harper Collins, 2016, fiction, 288 pages Suitable for ages: 8-12 Lexile: 760 Themes/topics: nature, war, family, relationships, pets, grief Opening: … More Pax by Sara Pennypacker

The Kid From Diamond Street and other Audrey Vernick favorites

July 1, 2016

Another WOW Retreat author is Audrey Vernick. She’s definitely a baseball fan and writes nonfiction as well as fiction picture books. Title: The Kid From Diamond Street, the Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton Written by: Audrey Vernick Illustrated by: Steven Salerno Clarion, HMH, 2016, biography Suitable for ages: 4-7 (easily extends to age 10) … More The Kid From Diamond Street and other Audrey Vernick favorites

Teeny Tiny Toady and other Esbaum favorites

June 24, 2016

Today on PPBF I’m featuring another author participating in the WOW retreat. Jill Esbaum, a rhymer, hits age-old childhood themes in new and creative ways. Title: Teeny Tiny Toady Written by: Jill Esbaum Illustrated by: Keika Yamaguchi Sterling, 2016, fiction, 40 pages Suitable for ages: 4-7 Lexile: AD520 Themes/topics: problem solving, siblings, rescue Opening: (Opening … More Teeny Tiny Toady and other Esbaum favorites

Dream Something Big

May 27, 2016

This week’s Perfect Picture Book selection provides a fun project to start off your summer reading program… Title: Dream Something Big, the Story of the Watts Towers Written by: Dianna Hutts Aston. Illustrated by: Susan Roth. Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011 Suitable for ages: 5-8 Lexile: AD830 Themes/topics: Art, U.S. National Landmarks, determination, creativity … More Dream Something Big

Frankencrayon

May 13, 2016

The title alone is enough to give any parent visions of a giant crayon wreaking havoc on freshly painted walls….. Title: Frankencrayon Written and Illustrated by: Michael Hall Greenwillow, Harper Collins, 2016, fiction Suitable for ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: crayons, monsters, writing, fourth wall Opening: (Title page shows crayons lamenting the cancellation of the book.) Help! … More Frankencrayon

Are We There Yet?

April 29, 2016

Summer car trip coming up?  This Perfect Picture Book Friday selection just might give you a fresh take on it. Title: Are We There Yet? Written and Illustrated by: Dan Santat Little, Brown and Co., 2016, fiction Suitable for ages: 3-6 Themes/topics: boredom, trips, space and time Opening: A car trip to visit Grandma is … More Are We There Yet?

The Tree in the Courtyard

April 15, 2016

Title: The Tree in the Courtyard, Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window Written by: Jeff Gottesfeld Illustrated by: Peter McCarty Random House/Knopf, 2016, fiction Suitable for ages: 5-8 (I would recommend 8-11) Themes/topics: caring, tolerance, Holocaust, trees, WWII Opening: The story opens with a quote from Anne Frank about the tree outside her window. Following the … More The Tree in the Courtyard