Almost two years ago, I was privileged to travel to Singapore to speak at the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content. I met authors and illustrators from all over the Pacific Rim countries and beyond.
For Day 12 of Christie Wild’s PB 14:14 Challenge, I’m offering one of the books by author/illustrator Christopher Cheng. Not only is he an amazing creator of children’s content, he’s also a stellar speaker at events all over the world – he’ll be presenting at the NESCBWI Conference in Chicago this April…wish I could go!
Title: Water
Author: Christopher Cheng
Illustrator: Susanna Gaho-Quek
Publisher: AFCC Publications
Date: 2013
Word Count: 180 estimated
Top Ten Element: Word Play
Opening Lines:
“In the air that we breathe
on ice capped peaks
frozen in time
trapped in hailstones
in thick melting snow
soaking through roots
rising from trees
dripping from branches”
I just don’t want to stop…do you? The author offers us a delightful buffet of phrases that vividly portray all the places we find water. He plays with words with the skill of a basketball champion dribbling a ball – he puts words together that evoke amazing images in our minds.
Here are some more:
“Turning into creeks
running into rivers
flowing into seas
licked from a leaf
sipped from a stream”
The beautiful watercolor and acrylic illustrations perfectly connect with the simple, yet evocative text and even the end papers follow through with the watery theme of the book. It’s not an easy book to get, but you can click on the link to Chris’ website for more information.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Sounds truly lovely, Vivian. And the cover is gorgeous!
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It was a thrill to meet Chris…he’s a talented illustrator as well…although he didn’t do this book. Glad you enjoyed it, Sandy. 😉
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Vivian, Thanks for posting Top Ten Elements. They clearly illustrate all the ways to revise our manuscripts. Adding a bit more tension/conflict to one of mine now.
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Reblogged this on MIMI of the PEN and commented:
Picture Book author, Vivian Kirkfield, has allowed this reblog of her excellent post today. Wanting to write YOUR BOOK? Check this out.
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I saw you had reblogged it, Pam…that was very kind of you! This challenge of Christie’s has been an amazing education..as well as VERY challenging to write a blog post for 14 days in a row…I hadn’t done that for a couple of years. 😉
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Flowing liquid word play…love it. Thanks for noting this one, it is beautiful.
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Flowing liquid word play…just like water. 🙂 Happy you liked it, Damon! It’s been a wonderful challenge…I have not visited everyone’s posts…I hope to backtrack and do that soon. 🙂
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I’m glad a PB makes us think about water in a poetic way.
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I’m working on a lyrical counting book that takes place at a pristine river…I agree that water is quite poetic, Manju. 🙂
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Beautiful words and I can imagine that the illustrations inside are as stunning as the one on the cover.
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Wish I had taken pics and posted them, Colline…they are lovely. 😉
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Sounds gorgeous! Have you read the brand new Water Rolls, Water Rises?
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No I have not…it sounds like a delight…thanks for recommending it. 🙂
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I so love when an author uses phrases as this one does. I use to have my students do this when writing poetry. Can’t wait to read this one.
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Yes, it’s a very lyrical story, Joyce…and your students were very lucky to have you for a teacher…not every teacher encourages kids to write poetry or use imaginative language. 😉
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Sounds like a delightful book! But also, your description of it is lovely!
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Oh Ellen, you are very kind. 🙂 It is a beautiful book!
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Wonderful images. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had an international library?
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Some libraries participate in the InterLibrary Loan, Sydney…our local library in Colorado Springs did…you could ask for a book that was only available in London or France or wherever…if you were willing to pay the postage, you might get it. My hubby used to get books from all 50 states…those they sent for free.
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What a beautiful book! Thank you for sharing :).
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the cover grabbed my attention immediately. The text is poetic. Perfect combo.
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