Friday, August 21, 2015

Caroline Adderson's "Bruno for Real" a Hilarious Book for Young Readers

Title: Bruno for Real (sequel to I, Bruno)
Author: Caroline Adderson
Age range: 7 to 9
Rating: 5 out of 5 hiccups

Seven-year-old Bruno faces everyday challenges, from hiccups to a teacher who is always sneaking in math problems, in his own unique way. 

What kids will love:
  • Bruno's imaginative take on life
  • Following along with Bruno's relatable adventures (who hasn't had the hiccups?) 
  • The funny drawings (e.g. Bruno being held upside down to try to cure his hiccups). 
What parents will love:
  • Seeing their own child in Bruno

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Tips for Writing for Kids: Top 5 Myths about Writing Fairy Tales

Are you looking to write a fairy tale for children?  Watch out for these common misconceptions.

1.  Rewriting an Existing Fairy Tale is Easy

It may be easier to write a story when you already have the plot, but the plot is only part of what makes a good story.

Go to your local library or bookstore and read retold fairy tales that actually got published and consider what about them makes them stand out from the thousands of other versions.  For picture books it is usually the illustrations, so if you are not an artist, you would be wiser to write a chapter book or novel inspired by an existing fairy tale.

2.  Fairy Tales + Zombies = Fame and Fortune

If you want to add a twist to the original fairy tale stories, don't just copy the latest trends - the trend will be over by the time your story could even be published.  Start your own trend by coming up with your own spin to the story.

3.  All of the Good Fairy Tales Are Already Taken

Don't limit yourself to the Grimms' fairy tales.  There are thousands of stories from cultures around the world just waiting for you to discover them.  Even better, try writing an original story.

4.  All I Have to Do is Make it Modern  

Your first instinct may be to retell a fairy tale in the present day, but be warned that this has been overdone. Having Cinderella going to the prom in an orange limo instead of going to the ball in a pumpkin transformed into a carriage is just a gimmick and doesn't substitute for good writing.

And think carefully before giving your Little Red Riding Hood an ipod to listen to on her way through the suburb.  Adding modern technologies can quickly date your story.

5.  You Don't Have to Worry About Copyright

While the original version of Snow White is not copyrighted, the plot to the movie "Snow White and the Huntsman" is.  Similarly, you cannot use characters that others have added to the story, such as Sebastian and Flounder in Disney's "The Little Mermaid".

Therefore ensure you read the original stories you want to retell so you can tell what elements of the story are fair game. Also make sure that the story is indeed old enough to be copyrighted.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Dave Whamond's Oddrey Joins the Team is a Win-Win for Parents and Kids

Title: Oddrey Joins the Team
Author/Illustrator: Dave Whamond
Age range: 4 - 8
Rating: 4 out of 5 soccer balls

Oddrey is an imaginative girl who thinks outside the box.  When she joins the school soccer team, the Piccadilla Bees, she doesn't play the same way as the other kids.  With the big game against the Quagmire Crushers approaching, can she convince the team to work together and still be true to themselves?

What kids will love:
  • the high-interest subject matter
  • the funny, action-packed illustrations
  • Oddrey's quirkiness (you never know what she will think of next)
  • the unexpected ending

What parents will love:
  • the book touches on being unique and the importance of teamwork (without being preachy)
  • winning isn't the reward, unlike most underdog stories 

Click on the images for more info:

Friday, July 31, 2015

Quiz #1: How Many Orphans from Literature do you know?

The Nonesuch Orphans: Quiz #1: Literary Orphans: See if you can identify these literary orphans: 1. She accidentally dyed her hair green, and broke a slate over a boy's head for calli...

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Children's Book Writers - Don't Make These Top 5 Query Mistakes

Ready to submit your children's story to an agent or publisher?  Don't make these common mistakes:

1. Mentioning that you read the book to your children (grandchildren, nieces/nephews, students, neighbour's children, etc.) and they loved the book.

They may have loved you reading them the book (or just told you the answer they could tell you wanted to hear), but that doesn't mean the book is publishable.

Advice: If you are an elementary schoolteacher or have other relevant experience with children, mention this briefly in your bio.

2.  Claiming your book will be the next "Harry Potter" or other outrageous comparisons to bestselling books.

This is a sure-fire way to end up in the slush pile.  It tells the editor/agent that you have very little understanding of how publishing works and have likely only read that one book.

Advice: Write something unique and make comparisons sparingly, preferably to books published by that publisher.  

3.  Not researching the agent/publisher and not following their guidelines.

Don't think your manuscript is so special you don't have to follow the guidelines, especially the ones that say they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts.

For example, if they don't accept email submissions, send it by mail like everyone else.  Also, many publishers will state they don't publish picture books - don't waste your time sending your picture book manuscript to such a publisher.

Advice:  Carefully read and follow the agent's/publisher's most recent guidelines, which you should be able to find on their website.  Preliminary research can be done using market books such as the 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.  Also read books the publisher recently published - would your book fit in with their list?

Bonus tip:  Write concisely and to the point.  If your query is more than one page, it is too long.

4.  Saying your book will "appeal to children of all ages."

This is impossible, and will make the editor/agent suspect that in fact your book will not appeal to anyone.

Advice:  Have a particular age range in mind when you are writing the book and write the book accordingly (i.e. reading level, subject matter, length etc.).  Read at least 20 books in the same genre aimed at this age range.  Mention the age range and genre of your book in the query letter.

5. Making spelling and grammar errors in your query letter (and your manuscript).

This is a common pet peeve of editors and agents.

Advice:  Don't just rely on Spellcheck to catch your errors. Brush up on your grammar by reading books such as The Elements of Style and have many trusted people review your query letter.

Bonus tip: read sample query letters online and read advice found in books (e.g. 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market).  There are even books dedicated to query letters that may be worth the investment if they help get you out of the slush pile.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Summer Book Pick for Kids: Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt

Title:Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
Author: Melanie Watt
Age range: 4 to 8
Rating: 4 out of 5 roasted marshmallows

Scaredy Squirrel would rather watch a TV show about camping from the safety of his home than risk the dangers of actually being outdoors.  But then he realizes, he'll have to brave the great outdoors to reach the electrical outlet at the nearby campground.

Although it is a picture book, it will still appeal to 8 or 9 year olds who are reluctant readers (and adults too!).

What kids will love:
  • the zany maps, lists and diagrams (e.g. Scaredy Squirrel's wilderness outfit)
  • the humour, such as when things don't go according to Scaredy Squirrel's plan


Other great books by Melanie Watt:

Saturday, July 25, 2015

R. L. Stine's Goosebumps Most Wanted: Reluctant Readers are Dying to Read Them!

Series: Goosebumps Most Wanted
Author: R. L. Stine
Ages:  9 to 12*
Rating:  4 out of 5 nightmares

*Warning: R. L. Stine's books are not for younger or sensitive children.  Not only are they scary, but they rarely have happy endings.  If your child is interested in Goosebump books, try reading a few yourself before deciding whether your child is ready to read them.     

What kid's will love about Goosebumps Most Wanted books:
  • the escalating creepy (and sometimes gross) situations 
  • the main characters they can quickly relate to
  • the twist endings
  • for fans of the Classic Goosebumps series, another chance to encounter their favourite villains
Click on the images for more info:

<

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Top 5 Free eBooks for Middle Grade Kids!

Have you and/or your child read any of these free ebooks?  If so, which one(s) do you recommend for reluctant readers?

Click on the images for more information about each book.