picture book Archives - Page 717 of 762

Ben Says Goodbye
by Sarah Ellis (Author) and Kim La Fave (Illustrator)

When Ben’s best friend Peter moves away, Ben decides that he will move, too–into a “cave” under the kitchen table. Caveman Ben doesn’t need any friends except his tame (stuffed) lion. He hunts for his food (thoughtfully left on a plate by Mom and Dad) and communicates in grunts. And in the safety of his cave he can imagine a world where friends control their own destinies and distance is no obstacle.

The sales copy on the back cover sums it up nicely:

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

What does Ben do after his best friend moves away?

Ben decided he would move too. Not across the world. Not across the country. Not across town. He would move under the table. He would become a caveboy.

Notice the use of threes. There are three “he would move” phrases. The first sentence has one:

(1) Ben decided he would move too.

There are two more at the end:

(2) Not across the country.
(3) Not across town.

In between the three “he would move” phrases are three “Not across” phrases:

(1) Not across the world.
(2) Not across the country.
(3) Not across town.

#kidlit Writing Lesson: This page uses threes (twice!) to show the main character’s emotional reaction to the story problem.

A Big Surprise for Little Card
by Charise Mericle Harper (Author) and Anna Raff (Illustrator)

Booktalk: The BIG Picture

In the world of cards, each one has a special job to do. Big Card keeps important papers in order. Tiny Card can be exchanged for a prize in an arcade. Round Card hangs out in a glamorous boutique. But is any card as lucky as Little Card? He’s going to school to become a birthday card — in other words, to sing, play games, eat cake, and be happy all day long. But wait! On the day he’s supposed to take his talents into the world, Long Card tells him there’s been a mix-up and they need to trade jobs. How can Little Card bring his exuberance into a library, a quiet place of books and rules and hushing?

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

Here is the scene where the mix-up is discovered:

One day when Little Card came home from school, Long Card was waiting for him.

“Our letters got mixed up,” said Long Card. “Look. You’re not a birthday card. I am a birthday card.”

Uh-oh! What will happen next? Readers see Little Card’s reaction in the next line:

Does this mean I have to go to a different school?” asked Little Card.

The answer is in the next line:

No time for that,” said Long Card. “Today is delivery day. It’s time to go.”

In the middle of the book, the main character’s world suddenly changes in a very big way.

See the book trailer.

Happy National Library Week!