At the bookstore the other day, I saw the new If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. This book got me thinking about 2 different types of picture books which I’m going to call—Character Driven PB’s and Story Driven PB’s. Not all Picture Books fall into these two categories, but there have been some very successful series built on these types of stories.
Characters like Olivia, the Pigeon, Fancy Nancy and Skippy-Jon-Jones make such a strong connection with readers, we just can’t seem to get enough. We want to see them at the circus, eating hot dogs, walking posh puppies and finding big bones.
Story Driven PB’s like, If you give a Mouse a Cookie, I Stink and Diary of a Worm have also spurred successful spin-off’s. These stories are told in similar fashion with new characters and settings dropped into the mix. Readers connect with the way the story is told, the rhythm of the words, the originality of the concept and/or the humor.
If you are looking for a new story to tell, place one of your favorite characters in a new setting or add a new MC to a well told PB manuscript. You might just find yourself with a successful series of your own!
Not Ready for 2010!
1 day ago
3 comments:
If only we could all write a successful series! I saw Laura Numeroff at the Los Angeles Festival of Books a year ago. She talked about her obligation to write two more books (one is the cupcake version!) and having to come up with new ideas on a previous theme. Oh, to have such problems :-)
Your final paragraph is right on the mark. Finding a way to make a well known story fresh is what I've heard from so many editors. It's also something I can try with a few of my own characters, putting them in a new situation may create a spark for a new and exciting story.
Good idea Rachel. When creating a new main character, and writing a new story, I try to think in terms of a series. I think it makes for a more complete character when you are imagining more of a life for them, aside from the story they are in.
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