May 23rd

Today is Margaret Wise Brown’s birthday. If she were still alive, she would be 105 years young.

Today, I picked up the mail and found my first publication on printed pages in writing for children.  HIGHLIGHTS HELLO with “Bouncy” is out! Yeah!

Today, I realized that I tend to overwrite--and get stuck in quick sand. Then, I drastically edit out almost everything to find the essence of the story, and after a long time, to see an insight, a turn, and all lifts. Still waiting for current manuscripts to lift. Hmm . . . this is a writer's life, I think.

Books and Magazines for the Youngest Readers

A Few Books for Youngest Readers:

WHO’S THAT BABY? NEW BABY SONGS by Sharon Creech, pictures by David Diaz (HarperCollins, 2005).

THE RUNAWAY BUNNY by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Clement Hurd (HarperCollins, 1942).

LET’S GO HOME LITTLE BEAR BY Martin Waddell, pictures by Barbara Firth (Walker Books, 2001).

ALL THE WORLD by Liz Garton Scanlon, pictures by Marla Frazee (Simon & Schuster, 2009).

IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN by Maurice Sendak ( Harper & Row, 1970).

WHEN COWS COME HOME by David L. Harrison, pictures by Chris L. Demarest (Boyds Mills, 1994).

A GOOD DAY by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2007).

 

BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin, Jr., pictures by Eric Carle (Henry Holt, 1967).

NOCTURNE by Jane Yolen, pictures by Anne Hunter (Harcourt Brace, 1997).

WHEN EVERYONE WAS FAST ASLEEP by Tomie de Poala (Holiday house, 1976).

FIONA LOVES THE NIGHT by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, pictures by Amanda Shepard (HarperCollins, 2007).

COUNTING CROWS by Kathi Appelt, pictures by Rob Dunlavey (Atheneum Books, 2015).

 

Magazines for Youngest Readers:
 

HIGHLIGHTS HELLO

BABY BUG

HIGHLIGHTS HIGH FIVE

LADYBUG

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LITTLE KIDS

CLICK

RANGER RICK JR.

 

Writing for the Youngest Readers

Elements to consider when writing (or selecting picture books to read aloud):

·        story so light, words seem to float

·        lyrical, poetic

·        rhythm, beat

·        some internal/end rhyme, alliteration, repetition

·        perspective/“I, me, baby”

·        tone/avoid contractions, but don’t “talk” down

·        satisfying twist, end with a smile

·        whimsical

·        flow/page-turns

Artistic decisions in the range of picture books to read aloud:

·        striking color use

·        distinctive art styles

·        white space and color choices

·        photo-illustration

·        layout/flow

Early literacy points to reflect on when writing/reading for/to the youngest readers:

·        Is it developmentally appropriate—length, word choice, pace, clear and simple?

·        Is the content age-appropriate?

·        Is the subject appropriate to engage individual children, inclusive messages?

·        Is there room for imagination and a playful (pointing, acting out, repeating words) exchange between child and person reading?

·        Does the story have any of following qualities—whimsical, nonsensical, lyrical, engaging, connect with the family/home/child himself/herself, early learning concepts, early socialization concepts, universal theme?

 

Sample Writing Prompt:

Write one to three lyrical sentences suitable for a two to three-year old. Break sentences into short lines that might appear on a page. Consider the elements we discussed. Revise. Is writing for the youngest reader a challenge?