I spent easily half my week writing a picture book which is not working and which at this point I hate a little bit :) Why is it that an idea which seems so good when it starts out in your head can turn out so badly when you get it on paper? I still feel like there's a kernel of good story in there somewhere, but darned if I can find it right now :)
Ah, well, at least I have a lovely, fun picture book (not mine :)) to share with you today!
Written By: Anna Kang
Illustrated By: Christopher Weyant
Two Lions, August 2014, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 2-6
Themes/Topics: Differences, Perspective, Humor
Opening: "'You are small.'
'I am not small. You are big.'
'I am not big. See?'"
Brief Synopsis: Two creatures (whose fur, noses, and expressions suggest that they are indeed closely related) argue over who is small and who is big. But it's really all in how you look at it :)
Links To Resources: Kids Activity Guide with printable growth chart; Classroom Guide for K-1st with Common Core Standards; start a discussion on the difficulty and/or desirability of establishing standards; read with Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - how are these books alike? how are they different?
Why I Like This Book: This book is short and simple, yet it manages to convey an important message with humor. I dare you not to laugh at the end :) In 91 words, it manages to get across the idea that we can be big and small at the same time, and in spite of our perceived differences we have much in common. The art is appealing, and the characters' expressions speak volumes. For anyone who has ever felt too little (or too big), this is the perfect story.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you! Can't wait to see what other wonderful picture books will be on the list this week!
Have a wonderful first weekend of Autumn, everyone! :)
How fun ... that you're writing a picture book ... and to discover this adorable (little) nugget on your page this morning! Thank you for another awesome lead.
ReplyDeletehow cute - it sounds like a wonderful way to show how perceptions differ depending on who you are. At our house: this is too spicy! No it's not - pass the hot sauce.
ReplyDeleteKeep at it, your kernel that is. I was on an 8th draft of one this week, and still playing with that kernel. I love the sound of this one, I can picture it and the language is so kid like!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever "little" book!! With a "big" message! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, it's all about perspective. So cute.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have a PB I started two years ago and rewrote twice this week. Still ... not .... working. Right there with you, Susanna!
ReplyDeleteFirst the work of writing, then the work of publishing. Susan and I just finally got a proof back on Edmund Picke Chin yesterday. And it was full of errors. Now to wait for the next one.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, Susanna.
I love "You are not small" I Love how two ideas can be said in such few words. It shows the illos are just right.
Looks delightful, Susanna! And a great message. May have to give it a look. Thanks! And praying you can find the nugget in YOUR story and make it bloom into a regular goldmine. :D
ReplyDeleteI'll buy this book too. Geez, this is the third book today that is a must-have for me. It sounds adorable.
ReplyDeleteI've done that before more than once, Suz. But if you feel in your gut there's a story in there. Look at it again. Read it aloud. Send it to me. I might be able to see what you cannot.
xoxoxoxo
Sounds like a good 'un. I wonder about the good ideas that seem to avoid revelation too! As usual, it's me, not the idea though! But we keep hacking away, don't we. Here's to a better week for you, and a relaxing one for me visiting my parents. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm like Robyn… I can tell just from your selection that I need to keep my library account open while I read through this list. Good choices this week!
ReplyDeleteI think all of us writers have that problem at least once a week: what seemed like a brilliant idea totally fizzles by the time we put "the end" on the first draft. Sometimes, it takes editors and agents to dissuade us of the notion, which is even less fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute, cute book! I'll look for it too.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for telling me about this. I hadn't heard of it but will check it out.
ReplyDeleteI read this one last week; it is super! It's also one of those books that makes you say "why didn't I think of that".
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I do know about those doldrums. Time to get out the 150 hp engine and make for the closest continent. Maybe you'll find some tropical island on the way, and it will all come to you as you sit, drinking mai tais under a palm tree on a white sand beach.
ReplyDeletere: You Are (Not) Small Awwwwwwww. very cute!
91words? 'Gotta look for this over the weekend. How cute!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this book, too, Susanna :) I've been seeing it all over the place the past few weeks and the unexpected pleasure of meeting the author and illustrator (wife and husband) at a recent event. REALLY lovely, down-to-earth and extraordinarily talented people :) I just got the book from the library and plan to buy it. And yes---GREAT ending! lol
ReplyDeleteP.S. Work on a different idea for now ;)
Yup. This IS a cute one to share. Bummer about the idea in your head torturing you on paper. Been there. Done that. Didn't like it. Tomorrow is another day.
ReplyDeleteHappily so true, Genevieve! :) Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteOoh, you got to meet them, Donna? They sound like quite a pair! Lucky you :) And thanks for the very good advice! :)
ReplyDeleteI know! It is my goal to write a story worth reading in under 100 words! :)
ReplyDeleteI will sit under a cocoa tree and nibble delicately on chocolate, Jilanne :) I'm sure that will do the trick :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Laura! And didn't you LOVE the end? It got a genuine laugh out of me and I didn't see it coming!
ReplyDeleteIt's a cute one, Rosi :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, Teresa, I have to agree. It's bad enough when you recognize that your own idea isn't working. It's far worse when you're convinced you've written the next New York Times Bestselling Picture Book and you agent and/or editor disagree.... and then a few months later you take another look at that brilliant ms and realize they were right! :) Enjoy your weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy, glad you like it :)
ReplyDeleteOh, have a lovely, enjoyable, relaxing time, Julie!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI know it, Jarm! I am in awe of anyone who can write a story worth reading in under 100 words. It is a goal for me :) We will all be happy to see you whenever you're ready for PPBF, but in the meantime it's lovely to see you here on Fridays commenting :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Rob, but I'm not sure there's anything to see in this case. I'm afraid it's a case of a story gone wrong... or maybe a story that was never really a story... But I'll mull on it and let it roll around in my head for a while. Sometimes that helps :) Thanks for the offer - if I ever get it to a stage where I can stand for anyone to read it I'll keep you in mind :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne! So kind of you! Have a lovely weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very well done, Clar - so clever! Sorry to hear about the errors in Edmund, but at least you caught them before it went to pub. So exciting that it's almost available in paperback! (or is it hardcover?)
ReplyDeleteAh, then you have read it, Erik! It IS a great line, isn't it? It made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the stories we have that aren't working are all about perspective too, Kirsten :) Maybe we have to look at them from a different one!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin! :) Good luck to you too :)
ReplyDeleteYou will like it, Rhythm, and so will your reading buddies! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very cute :) And I haven't given up on the kernel yet... you never know... it might still turn into something. I'm still thinking about Sarah Marquis from reading your FB article this AM - she is something! If she can hike across Mongolia I guess I can keep at my little story for a while longer :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! That's funny, Sue :) Given the success of Too Pickly etc., maybe you can write Too Spicy :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Barb! I hope you get a chance to read it - it's cute!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to add this book to my list of 'why didn't I write that' books. :) :) :) I didn't think I'd get a book reviewed for this week...but then realized that no one seems to have done Julie Hedlund's new one...the perfect bedtime/anytime I need to tell you I love you book.
ReplyDeleteSorry you are having frustrating moments (or hours) with your writing...I just realized I have to change the beginning, middle and end of a non fiction pb I wrote...did a bit more research and now it is just not right. :( Glad I hadn't subbed it yet. :)
Adorable. We think Neighbor Girl would like this book - she is always the small one in her circle of friends. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the cover! And I can't wait to read the ending and see what I'm dared not to laugh at!
ReplyDeleteI think she would like it too :)
ReplyDeleteI don't HAVE Julie's book yet! Still awaiting its arrival! SO I'm glad you're doing it. Sorry to hear about your nonfic PB - frustrating! - but you're right - at least you hadn't subbed it. Good luck with it, Vivian!
ReplyDeleteYou will like the end, Penny :) Think Sasquatch :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've had more than your fair share of frustrating pb story stories. ;) ;) It's all good, as my son used to say when he was in high school. ;)
ReplyDelete:) I could tell you, but it really needs the pictures :)
ReplyDeleteMy library has it! And I put it on hold :-) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo simple... wish I'd thought of it :)
ReplyDeleteSoooo cute! You're hairy! Sooo funny!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I KNEW you'd like it :)
ReplyDelete