picture book Archives - Page 673 of 716

More Than Enough
by April Halprin Wayland (Author) and Katie Kath (Illustrator)

In spare, lyrical prose, a Jewish family prepares for their Passover seder, visiting the farmer’s market for walnuts, lilacs, and honey (and adopting a kitten along the way!), then chopping apples for the charoset, and getting dressed up before walking to Nana’s house. The refrain throughout is “Dayenu”—a mind-set of thankfulness, a reminder to be aware of the blessings in each moment.

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

As the story begins:

We wander the market
surrounded by colors–
dayenu

TURN THE PAGE

The word dayenu is repeated throughout the book. The poetic repetition in the refrain reinforces the concept and links each action in the story to the big idea:

We buy apples and walnuts,
lilacs and honey–
dayenu

The full meaning of the word dayenu is explained in the back matter and the Dayenu song is printed inside the back cover.

BONUS! Read an interview with April Halprin Wayland

Snippet: “I rewrote this 200-word story more than 34 times.”

Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land
by John Coy (Author) and Wing Young Huie (Illustrator)

Booktalk: The BIG Picture

With lyrical text and thought-provoking photography, Their Great Gift explores the experiences of immigrants in the twenty-first century, focusing on the lives of children. Images of families who came to the United States from many different parts of the world celebrate the diversity of our country and contain a vision of hope for the future.

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

The book begins:

My family came here from far away . . .

TURN THE PAGE

because they dreamed of more.

This story is told in the first person voice with clear, spare, lyrical language. Most immigration stories are told from a single point of view, but this one is not. On each book spread are multiple photographs of immigrant families who came to the United States from all around the world.

How was this accomplished? The author and the photographer worked together to create this book. In the back matter the author writes:

I wrote text that was revised many times as we decided on pictures. While each family’s arrival story is unique, I wanted to focus on the overarching connection between immigrants–and between us all.

BONUS! Read an interview with the author and the photographer

Snippet: “This was the first time I’d ever worked directly with the artist.”

It’s Nonfiction Monday!