PB 14:14 – Top 10 Elements in Picture Book Stories – Plot and Pacing

Posted on February 18, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Today is Day Five of Christie Wright Wild’s PB 14:14…what an amazing challenge. I hope you are all enjoying this look at the top ten elements in picture books. To see the others that have been posted today, please click on this link: http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2015/02/day-5-papas-mechanical-fish-by-candace.html.

Fairy tales were always a favorite with me when I was a child. These days, there is a new fairy tale in town – the fractured fairy tale. Some writers are quite gifted at taking an old story and turning it into something new and different. My choice for today’s PB 14:14 is a take-off on Goldilocks and the Three Bears and is very strong in the elements of plot and pacing.

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PB 14:14 – Day 4 – Top 10 Picture Book Story Elements – Word Play

Posted on February 17, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Today is Day Four of Christie Wright Wild’s PB 14:14. Be sure to check out the other books people are using to teach one of the Top 10 Elements for picture books.

Although there are some wordless picture books, most picture books have a balance between words and pictures. EACH WORD COUNTS…that’s what picture book writers hear all the time. Continue reading →

PB 14:14 – Day 3 – Top 10 Picture Book Story Elements – Character

Posted on February 16, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Today is Day Three of Christie Wright Wild’s PB 14:14…I had fun yesterday, hopping around to several other blogs to read the other entries.

If you are just tuning into the challenge, click here to go to Christie’s blog post where you will find the link up with today’s wonderful entries: http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2015/02/day-3-vulture-view-by-april-pulley.html

If a book is going to be enjoyed, it has to be strong in certain elements. And, whether it is an adult murder mystery, a light-hearted teen romance or a picture book, the main character must grab our attention and engage us.

Title: PETER PANDA MELTS DOWN

Author: Artie Bennett

Illustrator: John Nez

Publisher: Blue Apple

Date: 2014

Word Count: 500 est

Top 10 Element: Character (and also Rhyme, Pacing, Word Play)

What child wouldn’t identify with this adorable panda bear who gets frustrated and loses his cool? My grandson loved this book the very first time I read it to him – and he has wanted to hear it many times since then….probably because Continue reading →