Now, I’m sure we are all familiar with picture books. Big illustrations, short stories, lots of heart, and humor are sometimes packed into the briefest story. But what really makes a picture book? What’s the word count range? What is the audience’s age range? Is there a difference between board books and regular picture books? Don’t worry, we will be tackling all of that and more! 

I have recently (within the last two years) gotten into writing picture books, and man, it. Is. Hard. 

I would say it is harder than writing a novel. With so few words to work with, your idea has to shine, your prose has to glow, and above all, your manuscript needs to be so refined that it begs to be illustrated. 

I’ve attended a couple of wonderful conferences recently where picture book authors and agents have shared with me the details of what makes up a picture book, so let’s get started. 

Remember, this is not necessary a post about how to create a picture book or how to get to the point where your prose glow, but it is a post about knowing what type of manuscript you intend to create, learning who your audience would be, and providing you with more resources to advance your picture book writing career!

Types of Picture Books

If you are looking to write picture books for children, it’s important to know the different types of picture books before you start. Determining what type of picture book you are aiming to create will greatly impact how you tell the story and vice versa. Sometimes an idea takes shape on the paper or laptop screen first, and then in the revision process, you need to determine what kind of picture book it is in order to pitch it to the right agent who will scoop it up and love it as much as you do! 

This overview is in no way meant to be a comprehensive look at picture books but more of a broad look at the elements that typically make up a picture book. Honestly, the more you delve into the world of picture books, the more you will see how different each picture book can be.

The Standard Picture Book

Okay, I’m using the word standard here, but it’s worth noting that there are literally so many different types of picture books. But for the sake of simplicity, I’m just going to call this section standard and group together all fictional picture books aimed at toddlers through kindergarten. 

A standard picture book text can take many forms: rhyming, lyrical, narrative, concept, humor-based, simple storytelling with lots of onomatopoeia, etc… 

Picture books also come in many forms and tackle many different subjects such as emotions, school, family, STEM, fantasy, and racism. But at the heart of every book is a child’s story. These books tell stories for children, especially those who cannot read. The illustrations play a crucial role in the book by showing the young reader the meaning behind the words they are hearing (maybe for the first time!). 

Picture books are also typically large to accommodate both the illustrations and the parent who is holding the book with the child typically seated in their lap. All in all, they are designed with the child in mind!

Word Count: 400-900 (Although this can fluctuate depending on the story you are writing)

Age Range: 2-7

More Examples: Saturday by Oge Mora, There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, Mustache Baby written by Bridgett Heos and Illustrated by Joy Ang, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems.

Board Book

These little cardboard books with few words and a large focus on the picture or illustration are great for little ones who might be more inclined to gnaw on the book than listen. 

Board books range widely from concept books about things like numbers, letters, and colors to simple stories. Touch and feels books are popular in the board book format for babies who are exploring senses. 

Some board books are republished from bigger picture books. For example, we have a copy of The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood in both board book form and regular picture book form in our house. At some point, the original picture book was reprinted into board book format although it wasn’t initially intended to be a board book. 

Some popular board books include the hundreds of board books by Sandra Boynton, Sock and Shoe by Frida Bing, and Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. These little books are created to be short for babies and toddlers, who typically have short attention spans. They are a great way to introduce children to books from an early age and help build a love of literacy and reading.

Word Count: 10-200 words (although typically they are far less than 200)

Age Range: 0-2

More Examples: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (board book version), Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Huggy Kissy by Leslie Patricelli, and Baby Touch and Feel: Animals by DK

Wordless Picture Book

Wordless picture books are only really done by illustrators, but they are beautiful! The illustrations guide the story, and the reader is free to determine what is happening. Though as a parent, sometimes I have to get creative with the story I craft from the pictures when reading to my sons. 

Wordless picture books often carry strong emotional weight despite the lack of words. One of my favorite wordless picture books is 2007 Caldecott Medal winner Flotsam by David Wiesner. The book depicts underwater life in the ocean and a child’s interaction with it via a camera he finds on the beach. The gorgeous illustrations vividly depict all sorts of creatures, making it a beautiful piece of art as well as an open-ended story.

Word Count: 0

Age Range: 4-7 (though remember that these are just suggestions and not absolutes)

More examples: Journey by Aaron Becker, Door by Jihyeon Lee, and Bye, Penguin! by Seou Lee

Nonfiction

Nonfiction picture books can cover a variety of topics from people to science and in-between. These books are typically longer and aimed at older children. 

One thing that sets nonfiction apart from fiction picture books is research. I’ve heard nonfiction picture book authors at conferences talk about how much research they did to craft their picture book. Since you are telling a real story or presenting information on a real-world topic, it is important to research accurate information because if you don’t, I guarantee you an editor will, and you want to make sure you’ve done that work yourself ahead of time. 

Nonfiction picture books are fantastic for sharing history, people, and places with children who are taking all of these concepts in for the first time.

Word Count: 500-2,000

Age Range: 5-8

More Examples: Bones in the Whitehouse: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth by Candice F. Ransom and illustrated by Jamie Christoph, Teatime Around the World by Denyse Waissbluth and illustrated by Chelsea O’Byrne, and Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel and illustrated by Paolo Escobar

What Type of Picture Book Creator are You?

A few important questions to ask yourself if you are interested in creating picture books are are you an author? An illustrator? Or an author-illustrator? 

In the publishing industry, there are different approaches to how you can create a picture book and find the right agent for it. If you are an author, you will only write the manuscript with sparse illustrator notes, leaving a lot of flexibility for an illustrator to come in and work their magic. 

If you are an illustrator, you might be contracted through a publishing house or through your agent to illustrate for a manuscript that is being published. Illustrators typically have portfolios that display their various artistic pieces and their distinct style. 

If you are an author-illustrator, you write the story and illustrate it. This is typically done by creating a story dummy that shows an agent or editor what the story and art will look like. 

Whatever you are, always make sure you are putting your best work forward!

Now that you know all the different types of picture books, as yourself what kind of picture books are you interested in writing? If it’s nonfiction, that will require more research and a unique angle from which to tell the story, which is different from writing a fictional picture book with lots of humor. Determine the type of book you want to write and learn more about the type of picture book as you work on your draft.

Good Resources for Picture Book Writers

So, where can you go to learn more about picture books and refine your craft? Here are a few great places to get you started!

• Writing Picture Books: A Hands-on Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul. I love this book. It has been my guiding light as I navigate the world of picture books writing. Ann Whitford Paul, a well known children’s picture book author gives all sorts of great exercises and seasoned advice on how to craft, draft, revise, and then query your manuscript.
• The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This international organization provides so many resources for both new and experienced children’s book writers and illustrators. From virtual conferences, regional critique sessions, and The Book (a book created by the society full of agents, query suggestions, and manuscript formatting guides).
• 12×12 Challenge. I just learned about this fabulous challenge this year from a critique partner of mine! 12×12 is a year-long challenge where members try to write a complete picture book each month for the entire year. Believe me, it’s way harder than it sounds!
• Reading lots of different picture books. There is honestly no better way to learn about picture books than by reading them! Read lots of picture books of different kinds. Read some by author-illustrators. Read some by authors and a separate illustrator. Read funny picture books, sad picture books, rhyming picture books. Just read. I can guarantee it’s one of the quicker and more enjoyable ways to improve your craft.

Now, while I’ve outlined for you things like word count ranges, types of picture books, etc. know that in writing, a lot of things are flexible, such as word count. I’ve been to conferences where agents and editors have reminded me that just because a certain type of picture book has a word count range doesn’t mean you can’t bend that a little to tell your best story. Hopefully, this gives you a jumping-off point for your writing!

Next up, I will be covering chapter books!

Tell us in the comments: Are you a picture book writer or interested in writing picture books?

Olivia Fisher is a children’s lit writer and freelance editor with an English degree from BYU-Idaho. When she isn’t dreaming about living in a treehouse or chasing down her two young boys, she enjoys curling up with a book, watching Star Wars, writing her next adventure, and trying to live in the state of child-like wonder that we all secretly, or not so secretly, miss. Follow her adventures on Twitter or Instagram, or hire her for your next editing escapade on Fiverr.

The post All about Picture Books appeared first on DIY MFA.

You’re in luck! I’ve compiled several key questions into a survey and asked parents, grandparents, and teachers for their input. Based on their responses, I’ve summarized the top five best tools recommended for writing a children’s story.

I asked those in the survey what their favorite picture book was of all time and why they loved it. In asking my participants to recall their favorite picture books from their childhood, their responses came from a time when they were children and from that warm, cozy place of reading bedtime stories with their own children and grandchildren. That’s the feeling all children’s book authors want to invoke in their readers.

1. Characters and Their Interpersonal Relationships

Magical, resilient, powerful, clever, and sometimes hilarious characters, and the friendships between them are an integral part of creating a beloved children’s story. Every person surveyed mentioned character development. It was that important.

But how do we create these types of characters? My best advice is to get out into the world, look around, and listen. Don’t forget to bring a journal so you can write your observations on how children interact with each other and their world. 

Write down how they speak. I find children have such rich dialogue and a lot of it is worth writing down. Write down how they resolve conflict with each other and the adults in their lives. Write down the wonder of discovering new things. So much in this world is new to children. 

2. Rhyming and Repetitiveness

While I’ve read from many professionals that writers should ditch the rhyme, parents in the survey disagree. They adore stories with rhyme and repetition. Those books from their childhood are imprinted upon their hearts and minds.

Writing in rhyme is complex. You’ll need to make sure it has rhythm and meter, and this is done by understanding syllables and where they are stressed in the words you’re creating to tell your story. When writing rhymes for children, avoid near rhymes because at a young age, children should first learn the predictability of rhyming words through their phonetic relationships.

Don’t be afraid of repetition or redundancy in children’s picture books. Just think about how young children watch their favorite movies over and over and you’ll learn that children enjoy and need repetition in order to make connections and remember patterns. Repetition is simple; and, according to those surveyed, it’s an important element in a children’s story.

3. A believable Plotline

Parents and teachers commented that a believable plotline was also key to determining their favorite children’s story of all time. Let your story draw from real life and identifiable characters from which they can learn something about themselves. 

Many in the survey said their favorite children’s book taught a moral, and they felt that was important. As a children’s writer, study folk tales of various cultures and then consider writing one of your own. There are so many great morals for children to learn. Weave a moral into your story.

4. Great Artwork

It’s important as an indie author to collaborate with an artist who shares your vision and captures in their art your voice, uniqueness of the characters, and the story setting. Your readers rely on a balance between text and illustrations to develop their story comprehension skills. 

That brings me to another point.

When I skimmed the pages of the favorite picture books of all time listed in my survey, the illustrations had one thing in common: they were realistic. This might be just as important as a believable plot. Consider colors and lines when collaborating with an illustrator, and keep it realistic.

5. Give your reader an adventure

The final tip I gleaned from the survey: your reader is looking for an adventure. You’ve developed unique characters and outlined a believable plot illustrated in captivating colors and lines. Now, through concise, repetitive, and perhaps rhyming words, take your reader by the hand and lead them on a wondrous adventure to a place they’ve never been before. 

Tell us in the comments: What’s your all time favorite children’s story? What did you love about it?

S.J. Rosson is releasing her first children’s picture book, The Lamb, in May 2022. She believes this story comes at a time when children need to hear a positive message about unconditional love and its redeeming work. She weaved in math counting concepts for fun. To learn more about pre-orders and exclusive, limited-time rewards, visit her website at: www.sjrosson.com.

The post #5onFri: Five Tips for Writing a Children’s Story appeared first on DIY MFA.

Rajani was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning novels and picture books. 

She has always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels, picture books, prose and poetry. 

She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks.

In this episode Rajani and I discuss:

• The importance of showing different approaches to problem solving and thinking.
• How she represented sibling dynamics in her picture book, Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers.
• Why she starts with a story and her unique approach to character building.

Plus, her #1 tip for writers.

About Rajani LaRocca

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning novels and picture books, including Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019) a Massachusetts Book Award Honor; Seven Golden Rings (2020), the 2021 Mathical Prize Winner for Grades 3-5; Red, White, and Whole (2021), an Indie Next Top Ten and Junior Library Guild Selection with multiple starred reviews; Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021) part of the Storytelling Math series, Much Ado About Baseball (2021), a Junior Library Guild Selection with a Kirkus starred review, and more. 

She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. 

You can find Rajani on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Clubhouse. You can also find her as @rajanilarocca on Clubhouse.

Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers

For the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan, Bina is determined to make beaded bracelets for her brothers all by herself. She finds out which colors her brothers like and dislike and sets to work. Working with her every-other-one beading pattern causes Bina to discover something new about patterns–and her brothers.

Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 372

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Spotify, or Google and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 372: The Magic of Math and the Art of Picture Books – Interview with Rajani LaRocca appeared first on DIY MFA.

But what does each award really signify? Who gives them out and who do they give them to? How does a book earn an award?

It’s worth studying up on the different awards because it’ll help you stay on top of what’s happening in the kidlit sector. If you don’t have a lot of time to read, starting with award-nominated and award-winning books is a great idea. Knowing what goes into a great book can help you create one.

Below, an overview of some of the biggest awards for children’s authors. These are juried awards, rather than popular honors that are voted on by the public.

American Library Association (ALA) / Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) / Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Awards

ALSC is a division of the ALA, focused on providing library services to child readers, and YALSA is its teen counterpart. They host some of the oldest and most prestigious awards, like the Newbery and Caldecott. You can find a list of their awards on their website. Some are given in association with other groups.

Belpré Medal (Info)

This award is named for Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, and is given to a Latinx writer and illustrator “whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth”.

Winners of Note:

• Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales (2014)
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (2013)
• Esperanza Rising By Pam Munoz Ryan (2002)

Caldecott Medal (Info)

Named for nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, this medal is awarded to the illustrator of the year’s “most distinguished American picture book for children.”

Winners of Note:

• Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1964)
• Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg (1982)

Children’s Literature Legacy Award (previously the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal) (Info)

This award goes to writers and illustrators with a body of work that has made “a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences”. The award was previously known as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, but was changed in 2018 to affirm the organization’s commitment to inclusivity.

Winners of Note:

• Tomie dePaola (2011)
• James Marshall (2007)
• Eric Carle (2003)
• Maurice Sendak (1983)
• Theodor S. Geisel (Dr. Seuss) (1980)
• Beverly Cleary (1975)
• E. B. White (1970)

Coretta Scott King Book Awards (Info)

This award, named for the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., is given “to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values”. Awards are given for Author, Illustrator, New Talent (Author), New Talent (Illustrator), and Lifetime Achievement. 2019 marks the award’s 50th anniversary.

Winners of Note:

• March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nathan Powell (2017)
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (2015)
• Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe (1998)

Newbery Medal (Info)

Often considered the most prestigious award in children’s literature, the Newbery is also the oldest award specific to children’s literature, as it was proposed in 1921. It’s named for John Newbery, an eighteenth-century children’s publisher. The award is given to “the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”.

Winners of Note:

• Holes by Louis Sachar (1999)
• The Giver (1994) and Number the Stars (1990) by Lois Lowry
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (1963)
• The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting (1923)

Michael L. Printz Award (Info)

Named for Topeka, Kansas school librarian, Michael L. Printz, this award is given to “the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit“. The award was created “as a counterpoint to the Newbery”, which focuses on works for younger children.

Winners of Note:

• Bone Gap by Laura Ruby (2016)
• I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (2015)
• Going Bovine by Libba Bray (2010)
• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2007)
• How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (2005)

Stonewall Book Awards (Info)

A set of three awards, one of which is the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award, given for “exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.” The award is named for the historic Stonewall Inn in Manhattan.

Winners of Note:

• The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (2018)
• Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan (2017)
• If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (2017)
• I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (2015)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (Info)

Named for the legendary Dr. Seuss (which was the pen name for Theodor Geisel), this award is given to “author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”

Winners of Note:

• You Are (Not) Small, written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant (2015)
• There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems (2008)

We Need Diverse Books’ Walter Dean Myers Award (Info)

Awards that “recognize diverse authors (or co-authors) whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way.” This award was inaugurated in 2016 and as of 2018 includes two categories, Teen and Younger Readers.

Winners of Note:

• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2019)
• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (2019)
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (2018)
• Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford and Eric Velasquez (2018)
• March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nathan Powell (2017)
• All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely (2016)

William C. Morris Award (Info)

The Morris is awarded to a debut author of young adult fiction (ages 12-18). The award was first given in 2009 and is named for publisher William C. Morris who was passionate about marketing children’s literature.

Winners of Note:

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2018)
• Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (2016)
• Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (2015)

Golden Kite Awards (Info)

Given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) to recognize excellence in children’s literature. There are five categories: Fiction Young Reader and Middle Grade,  Fiction Young Adult, Nonfiction, Picture Book Text, Picture Book Illustration. This is the only award judged by a jury of peers—i.e. other children’s authors and illustrators. Must be a member of SCBWI.

Winners of Note:

• The Christmas Boot, written by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (2016)
• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (2000)
• Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman (1995)
• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1991)

There are lots of opportunities for children’s authors to be recognized, and this article just scratches the surface. Browse the nominees and make sure to add some of these excellent books to your reading list!

Bronwen Fleetwood writes fiction for young adults, and nonfiction for writers. Bronwen studied creative writing at Eugene Lang,The New School for Liberal Arts, has acted as leader of the Princeton Writing Group, and as a Municipal Liaison for National Novel Writing Month. Bronwen currently lives on the Whale Coast of South Africa, between the mountains, the sea, and a lake. You can connect with her at bronwenfleetwood.com.

The post Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and More: The Biggest Kidlit Awards appeared first on DIY MFA.

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Ruth Spiro on the show!

Ruth’s journey as a writer is one I think many word nerds can relate to. She never imagined she’d be a writer…until she started doing it! And now she writes innovative books for kids about science, technology, engineering and math…or STEM as is the buzzword right now.

Her debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest, Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book. Ruth followed up this success with her awesome Baby Loves Science board book series.

This groundbreaking series includes books on a number of different topics including: coding, green energy, quarks, and my personal favorite quantum physics, which explains the Schrodinger’s cat thought experiment in language that a toddler can understand.

This amazing series has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Popular Science and Working Mother. And the series features iconic and adorable illustrations by Irene Chan. When an illustrator can make Quarks look cute…OMG!

So listen in as Ruth and I geek out over this awesome series, and give you an inside look into the exciting niche of board books.

In this episode Ruth and I discuss:

• Techniques to craft a book that is engaging to both children and adults.
• How to make abstract ideas accessible to young children.
• Breaking into a specific publishing niche.
• Why you need to be smart in how you network.
• A step by step guide to producing a board book.

Plus, Ruth’s #1 tip for writers.

About Ruth Spiro

Ruth Spiro never imagined she’d be a writer… until she tried it! Now she writes innovative books for children on the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). She hopes her books inspire kids to observe their world, ask questions, and when it comes to their futures, DREAM BIG.

Ruth’s debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest and Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book. Her articles and essays have appeared in FamilyFun, CHILD, and The Writer, and also in many anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time (Vol. II), edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles.

Her new picture book series, Made by Maxine, is about an inspiring young “maker” who knows that with enough effort, imagination, and recyclables, it’s possible to invent anything. Made by Maxine is illustrated by Holly Hatam.

Ruth’s popular Baby Loves Science board book series already includes Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!, Baby Loves Thermodynamics!, Baby Loves Quarks!, and Baby Loves Quantum Physics! And the latest of these wonderful board books to be added to the series include Baby Loves Coding!, Baby Loves Green Energy!, Baby Loves Structural Engineering! and Baby Loves Gravity! which are all available now from Charlesbridge. The series has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Popular Science and Working Mother, and is illustrated by Irene Chan.

Ruth is also a frequent speaker at schools and conferences. Recent presentations include: the Early Childhood STEM Conference at CalTech, Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. She lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two daughters.

To connect with Ruth check out her website at www.RuthSpiro.com.

Baby Loves Science

Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, these clever board books dive into the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in a ways that relate to baby’s world. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two, as well!

In addition to four already in print, here are the new titles for 2018:

Baby Loves Gravity! (May 1)

This book explores the ups and downs of gravity. When baby drops food from a high chair, why does it fall?

Baby Loves Coding! (June 5)

This book showcases the use of logic, sequence, and patterns to solve problems. Can Baby think like a coder to fix her train?

Baby Loves Structural Engineering! (October 16)

This book explores the basics of building—from foundation to rooftop—and ties it all to baby’s world.

Baby Loves Green Energy! (October 16)

This book explores the climate of our planet and the need to protect it for all babies.

If you decide to check out any (or all) of these books, we hope you’ll do so via these Amazon affiliate links, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

• Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!

• Baby Loves Coding!

• Baby Loves Green Energy!

• Baby Loves Structural Engineering!

• Baby Loves Thermodynamics!

• Baby Loves Quarks!

• Baby Loves Gravity!

• Baby Loves Quantum Physics!

Link to Episode 222

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio or Google Play and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 222: All About Board Books — Interview with Ruth Spiro appeared first on DIY MFA.

Today I am so honored to welcome David L. Harrison to the show!

David is an award winning American children’s author and poet. His poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for young readers have been anthologized in more than 185 books, translated into twelve languages, sandblasted into a library sidewalk, and painted on a bookmobile.

His poetry collection, Pirates, represented Missouri at the 2013 National Book Fair in Washington, D.C. He is also the poet laureate of Drury University, and he actually has an Elementary School named after him!

David is here with us today to discuss one of his latest works, a picture book poetry collection he did with artist Giles Laroche called A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures that Build; which combines the science of how animals build their nests to mate and reproduce with the art of poetry.

So listen in as David and I chat about crafting beautiful poems from equally beautiful science, for young readers.

In this episode David and I discuss:

• The challenges of crafting scientific facts as a poem, and how to do it right.
• How to focus your research to inform your writing.
• Why the need for accuracy in children’s books is even more important than in adult books.
• Matching the poetic structure and rhythm to the theme of the poem.
• Using spatial poetry in picture books to enhance the reading experience.

Plus, David’s #1 tip for writers.

About David L. Harrison

David L. Harrison is an award winning American children’s author and poet. His poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for young readers have been anthologized in more than 185 books, translated into twelve languages, sandblasted into a library sidewalk, painted on a bookmobile, and presented on television, radio, podcast, and video stream. Ten of his 92 books are professional works for teachers.

He is a poet laureate of Drury University, and David Harrison Elementary School is named for him. He has given keynote talks, college commencement addresses, and has been featured at hundreds of conferences, workshops, literature festivals, and schools across America. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drury University, a Master of Science degree from Emory University, and two Honorary Doctor of Letters degrees.

His poetry collection, Pirates, represented Missouri at the 2013 National Book Fair in Washington, D.C. David and his wife Sandy live in Springfield, Missouri.

His latest work, the picture book poetry collection A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures that Build, is available now.

To connect with David check out his website at davidlharrison.com.

A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures that Build

A poetry collection introducing animal architects that build remarkable structures in order to attract a mate and have babies.

Many animals build something–a nest, tunnel, or web–in order to pair up, lay eggs, give birth, and otherwise perpetuate their species. Organized based on where creatures live–underground, in the water, on land, or in the air–twelve poems bring fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds to life.

Along with back matter that includes more information about each animal, and featuring Giles Laroche’s intricate life-like cut-paper illustrations, readers will feel like they’ve stepped right into the homes of some of nature’s best builders.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 212

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 212: Poetry and Science — Interview with David L. Harrison appeared first on DIY MFA.

Taking a peek at this year’s winners can help writers spot publishing trends. More importantly, it is a fantastic way to add quality items to your TBR pile. With so many categories and age levels represented, there are bound to be books similar to your work in progress that can be read for comparison. Don’t ignore books for the youngest children. Besides being just plain fun, reading five award-winning picture books can be quicker and more fruitful for writers than reading five ho-hum adult books. Here were the top winners for 2018.

Newbery Medal: Hello, Universe

This is the award that started it all. First given in 1922, you’ve probably run your hand across a a big gold medal on the cover of a children’s book. If that gold medal says “John Newbery,” the book you’re holding was once considered the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature in a given year. Past winners have included “The Giver” by Lois Lowry and “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.

This year’s winner is Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. It follows four middle schoolers over the course of one day–one shy, one deaf, one psychic and one a bully. Not all of the kids know each other or even go to the same school, but their lives intersect when one of them becomes trapped down a well. In addition to employing shifting points of view, the author uses elements borrowed from folklore and the supernatural to keep readers enthralled.

If you’re hungry for more, try doing what’s called the “Newbery Challenge.” Use this list to read all 96 books that have won the Newbery Medal. If you’re extra motivated, read the honor books too.

Caldecott Medal: Wolf in the Snow

While the Newbery medal is given for the story and presented to the author, the Caldecott recognizes the best artwork and is presented to the illustrator. Therefore, the Caldecott winner is always an American picture book while the Newbery could be a picture book, a short chapter book, or a middle grade novel. A mnemonic I use to remember the difference is that Caldecott begins with the letter “C” for color.

Accordingly, this year’s winner is so heavy on memorable illustrations that it doesn’t have any words at all. Yet, through his vivid paintings alone, illustrator Matthew Cordell conveys universal themes about kindness and the human-animal connection. A girl in a simple red-hooded coat stands out against the blinding white blizzard she is lost in. When she stops to help a cub, his wolf family offers the girl special protection from the elements. The wolves are painted in minute detail–down to their jaggedy teeth and fierce gazes. When you crack open this book again years later, you’ll instantly recall the narrative with a look at just one of the illustrations.

Printz Award: We Are Okay

With the explosion of the young adult genre, this has become a hotly watched category in the last few years. The Michael L. Printz award recognizes excellence in young adult writing. The book honored is usually fiction, but can be nonfiction.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour is written for high school through early college readers. I don’t fall into either of these categories anymore, but the author drew me into her tale about a college freshman in an empty dorm. Just read the opening lines and tell me you’re not hooked:

Before Hannah left, she asked if I was sure I’d be okay. She had already waited an hour past when the doors were closed for winter break, until everyone but the custodians were gone.

This is not a horror story, but a stream of consciousness where the main character’s thoughts slowly reveal her reasons for staying behind. Only once is there dialogue with another present character when a friend visits for three days.

More Awards, More Great Books to Read

The Coretta Scott King Book Award committee recognizes African-American authors and illustrators. Among the many awards bestowed by this committee, Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson won the King Author Award. It explores the relationship between a spunky high school student wanting to study abroad and the at-risk mentor she receives instead. Ekua Holmes won the King Illustrator Award for Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets.

La Princesa and the Pea, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, puts a Latina twist on the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. In Lucky Broken Girl, author Ruth Behar introduces middle grade readers to a Cuban family adjusting to life in New York City. Hence, both books won Pura Belpré Awards for outstanding books celebrating the Latino culture.

The Stonewall Award for exceptional books focusing on LGBT issues went to two books. Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert is a moving novel about struggling with one’s sexual identity in an African-American community while also caring for a mentally ill sibling. The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater is a true crime account of two Oakland, California teens whose only connection was an eight-minute daily bus ride to different schools.

Finally, several children’s and young adult authors won lifetime achievement awards from various committees including Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming;After Tupac & D Foster), Angela Johnson (Heaven; Looking for Red), and Eloise Greenfield (Honey, I Love;The Great Migration).

For a full list of this year’s medal winners and honor books, see “2018 Youth Media Awards Announced” via “American Libraries” magazine. For past honorees, visit the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

Terri Frank is a professional librarian and holds a Master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working in a library, she’s probably visiting a library with her husband and two kids. Her current writing projects include a novel about a tuberculosis sanitorium.

The post Award-Winning Children’s and YA Books: 2018 appeared first on DIY MFA.

I think everyone will agree that it’s important for children to read. But what about the value of the stories themselves?

Before we dive in, let me give you a quick rundown of what I mean by Kid Lit. It’s a general term encompassing books for babies, toddlers, kids and teens. It includes board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult books. Check out this Introduction to Kid Lit from the DIY MFA archives for some examples from each of those categories.

I devoured children’s books as a kid, but by the time I was in high school, I started exclusively reading adult fiction. (No, not the dirty kind! I mean the books you find in the Fiction section of a bookstore.) That’s because as a teenager in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, young adult literature was only starting to become popular, and it didn’t explode until I was in college. By that point, I was an English major, reading a ton of classic literature. I was also writing literary short stories in my creative writing classes.

But then in my senior year, I saw a class on the roster called “Girls’ Books.” I was intrigued by the title—and frankly, tired of reading so many classics—so I enrolled. Not surprisingly, the class was full of ladies, and we spent the semester reading and discussing familiar girls’ books from our childhoods. Little Women. The Secret Garden. Harriet the Spy. We also read some more contemporary books like Weetzie Bat and The Golden Compass. We talked about themes like femininity, cultural values, and diversity. I hadn’t read some of those books in a long time, and others I hadn’t read before. It was the first time that I thought about children’s books as something more than a literacy tool or entertainment for kids. They can have a much bigger purpose.

That class was life changing, as it steered me toward my passion: reading and writing Kid Lit.

So, why does Kid Lit matter?

It creates community

Reading may be a solitary activity, but it brings people together. This is especially true for Kid Lit. Just look at the Harry Potter fandom. Each time a new book in the series came out, kids (and adults) everywhere dressed up as their favorite characters and went to the midnight releases. Now there are movies, fan sites, and festivals. Kids are writing Harry Potter fan fiction and joining Quidditch teams. There’s even an entire Harry Potter theme park, and all of this stemmed from a series of children’s books! What a time to be alive, right? Most kids want to feel like they belong somewhere, and books are a great way to make friends. Not only within their own towns, but with the help of social media, they can connect to other book lovers around the world.

It introduces young readers to how the world works

These days, you can find picture books about every topic imaginable. Parents don’t only want their kids to learn to read and build their vocabulary; they also want them to learn how to navigate the world around them. Children’s books aren’t as preachy as they used to be. Through stories and illustrations, they show kids little snippets of life, and help them understand how things work. One great example is Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, which I’ve been reading with my toddler. In it, Mama Llama puts Baby Llama to bed, but then he wakes up crying. Mama Llama, who’s in the middle of something downstairs, doesn’t hear him right away. When she finally makes it up to him, he’s very upset. She tells him that sometimes mamas are busy, but assures him that even if she’s not right there, she’s always nearby. That reassurance helps Baby Llama go right back to sleep.

It gives young readers a safe space to process their thoughts and feelings

This is especially true for middle grade and young adult books. Adolescents go through so much change, and experience a lot of firsts. First crushes. First periods. First kisses. First heartbreaks. Even if they aren’t experiencing all of those milestones yet, books are a safe space for them to explore what it will be like—in stories that are appropriate for them, with characters they can relate to. Kids this age also witness and experience a lot of hardship (family troubles, death, addiction, etc.) and books can help them cope. Reading about characters just like them overcoming these obstacles can inspire them to do the same.

It reinforces their identity

When you’re able to read a book about a character who looks like you, you can take so much more out of the story. The bad news is that unfortunately, a lot of kids aren’t seeing themselves in enough books—namely, people of color, the LGBTQIA community, people with disabilities, and religious minority groups. But the good news is that the We Need Diverse Books organization has brought awareness to the problem, and it’s starting to change. One recent success is The Hate U Give, a young adult novel by author Angie Thomas that’s received a ton of media coverage, and has held the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List. It features a black main character, with a story inspired by recent police shootings and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Written by a black author herself, this book has given a voice to a lot of teens who haven’t felt represented in children’s literature. This particular novel is helping all kids process what they’ve seen in the news or in their own communities.

There’s so much more to be said about this amazing category of literature, and I’m thrilled to launch this monthly Kid Lit column. It’s not only for children, as I’ll be discussing some more in my next article! In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. Do you read or write Kid Lit? What are some of your favorite books?

Janae Marks writes contemporary fiction for kids and teens. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School, and is an active member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She lives in New England with her husband and daughter.

The post Why Kid Lit Matters appeared first on DIY MFA.

Plenty of kidlit books show kids disobeying, or even being straight-up subversive. In general, kids eat these books up and ask for more.

This desire can make the adults in their lives very, very nervous.  “We shouldn’t be teaching our kids that it’s okay to misbehave,” they say.  Some parents prefer to keep those books out of the hands of children at all.  Even writers might avoid creating child characters who are wildly and unapologetically disobedient because they are afraid of giving kids “bad role models.”  Numerous books have caught a lot of flak for that very thing.

But if all our bad characters suddenly became accommodating and sweet, that would be a loss for our children. There is a reason these books are so appealing.

Why Kids Love Bad Kid Characters

Have you ever stopped and really listened to what children hear so much of their day?

No, don’t eat your peas with your fingers.
Put that bug down and wash your hands.
Stop poking your sister’s arm. For the hundredth time.

Life is a veritable flood of no’s.  And yes, it’s often for their safety (and our sanity), but through literature, children get to experience the thrill of defiance–and thus independence– safely, without paying the price of it.  The very kids who love these books so much, in fact, are often the ones who would never actually do any of the things in the story.  And that’s the point.

Bad Characters Serve Many Purposes

In Horn Book Magazine, the article, “Doing the Crime without Doing the Time” emphasizes that this desire to explore disobedience is developmentally normal and states, “So rather than try out naughtiness, children turn to book characters who actually do what they themselves have only dreamt about. Living vicariously is the perfect alternative” (Angotti  96).

Furthermore, adults who read about these “bad” characters with their children or students have a great jumping off place for discussions (not lectures!) about why the characters made the choices they did and what the child readers thought about it. The conversation can include what kind of consequences occurred and sometimes, if the book is realistic, the answer might be: none.

Bad Characters Have Wide Appeal

Besides, bad characters don’t just appeal to children. Think about your favorite characters.  How many of them are villains?  My friend named her dog after Dexter. Another friend had a life-sized Darth Vader poster on her door for years. Dracula has spawned how many books about vampires, sparkly and otherwise?  And millions have loved Scarlet O’Hara with her unflinching and unapologetic hatred of the kind and gentle Melanie.  I sure did.  Scarlet was fascinating.

So why should children’s books be devoid of interesting characters?  Frankly, characters who always do what they are told are boring, no matter how old they are. There’s no conflict, and thus, no story.  If all our children’s books had titles like Everyone Shares so Nicely! would kids love bedtime stories so much?

Want to Write a Bad Kid Character?

This is tricky to do well, so it might take several tries to hit the right balance. Let me state up front, if  characters like these really get on your nerves, don’t write about them.  The reader will pick up on your distaste and it will reflect on their impressions of your character.  But if you want to give it a shot, first of all, observe some children. This sounds obvious, but it’s painfully clear that not all writers do this.  Kids are smart.  There is usually some kind of logic behind their “bad behavior.”  It might be that someone took something of theirs.  It might be that they know if they don’t hide the evidence of their candy gorging, they will lose TV for a week.  Or maybe they woke up early and missed nap—adults get cranky when they are hungry and tired, too.  So there are actual reasons why kids misbehave and you need to help your readers understand why this child is acting this way.

In a similar vein, keep the character sympathetic in some way, even if it is just the kid needing a hug at the end of the story. The children in Captain Underpants have to deal with a truly obnoxious principal. If the principal had been a super cool guy who loved kids, we would not be cheering for the boys who trick him. So we’ve got to have some reason to root for the character or like them or understand them, at the very least.

Finally, it’s critical to read a lot of the books with these kinds of characters. Just like with any writing venture, you need to know what’s been done, so you can do something fresh and unique that only you could write.

Take a Risk and Try Some Good Bad Kid Stories

So take a deep breath and try one of these books for kids with protagonists who aren’t afraid to get in trouble:

Picture books:

• No, David! by David Shannon. This modern series of picture books are adored by young children everywhere. (Speaking of Dracula, David’s teeth look absolutely vampiric, I think.)
• Where the Wild Things Are by the brilliant Maurice Sendak. For his bad behavior, Max gets sent to bed without his supper. Does he sit in his room and cry? Not our Max.  Instead, he goes on an amazing adventure and becomes King of the Wild Things (and still gets his supper, in the end.)  A classic that upset many people at the time of its publication and helped change the face of children’s literature.
• 11 Experiments That Failed, by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter. Food dissolving into shoes; bottles flooding the toilet: Curious George meets Ramona Quimby in this fun science sleuthing story.

Middle Grade, listed from younger to older audiences:

• Bad Kitty–As advertised, this cat created by Nick Bruel disobeys repeatedly (and hilariously), but the stories end on a sweet note. If you aren’t sure about this whole let-them-read-bad-characters-idea, this is a good book series to start with.
• Captain Underpants—This graphic novel series was the top challenged book in 2013 and 2012. (Read about all the hubbub here). I admit I don’t love the potty humor or the boys’ attitudes as they manipulate their caveman of a principal, but children do—and they read and reread this series.
• Calvin and Hobbes—Yes, the comic strip. The precocious-but-perpetually-in-trouble little boy with his wise tiger has caught the hearts of every generation since he was first created.
• Harry Potter—Before you accuse me of blasphemy, consider that Harry breaks rules all the time and rarely suffers negative consequences for it. He may not be the traditional “bad character” but if you want to throw stones at characters for lying, cheating or defiance, you have to consider Harry does it all. In fact, just try to count how many times you see the phrase “Harry lied.”  And then keep reading.

Bad characters help kids explore their world. But aside from all the psychology, they are also just fun, entertaining stories.  They get kids excited to read.  That’s good enough for me.  Feel free to enjoy these books with your kids or students!

Mischief managed.

…………………………….

Work Cited:

Angotti, Jessica. “Committing the Crime With Out Doing the Time.”  Horn Book Magazine, Mar/Apr2010, Vol. 86 Issue 2, p92-96, 5p. (Article), Database: Literary Reference Center

All other books and articles referenced are hyperlinked within article.

…………………………

Amy holds a Masters of Library Science along with a certification in school librarianship.  She is a former reading and English teacher, mostly for 6^th-8^th graders.  Her debut book, FAIRY KEEPER, is an upper-middle-grade fantasy, now available from Curiosity Quills Press.  She currently lives in Germany with her family, though they still call Texas home. Her daughters are 9 and 11 years old. As you might imagine, middle grade books are a hot commodity around their house.

The post The Good News about “Bad Characters” appeared first on DIY MFA.

Now Mary has taken yet another role, this time as the author of Writing Irresistible KidLit, a book that explains the craft of writing children’s books. Writing Irresistible KidLit serves almost as an extension of Mary’s blog, providing that same level of in-depth information, but with all-new material and tons of examples and excerpts illustrating the techniques covered in the book.

I’ve been a longtime follower of Mary’s blog and when I heard she had a book coming out, I jumped at the chance to get an  interview with her. What followed was a delightful conversation on reading, writing and children’s literature which you’ll see in the video below. You definitely don’t want to miss this video because in it Mary shares:

• A sneak peek at one key piece of advice from her book.
• The two things writers must do so they can rise to the top of the slush pile.
• One important skill that writers of all genres and categories can learn from reading children’s books.
• The first book that ever captured her heart.

• • • • •

Enjoyed this interview? Ready to give your writing a serious boost?
Check out this DIY MFA online workshop coming up.

The post What Writers Can Learn from Children’s Books appeared first on DIY MFA.