Children's Books Falling Victim to Better Education?

I found this interesting, somewhat disheartening article in the NY Times recently. Basically, it says picture books are no longer as popular as they once were and that they are actually on a downward trend. The interesting and honestly, surprising part to me, was that this downward trend is not so much due to videos and other electronic media (though that's part of it), but rather people's belief picture books are too easy to read. Many think kids as young as four should be reading simple chapter books, not ones filled with pictures and little text.

While I am in absolute agreement that in general the U.S. education system is severely lacking in many ways, I can't subscribe to this line of thinking at this point. I believe picture books are a valuable, useful tool well beyond 3 or 4. Those that are done well help readers match words and ideas to visual design. Many are masterful works of art and can encourage the pursuit of drawing, painting and illustrating for many age groups. As an adult, I still love finding an artfully done picture book and if the words are secondary, that's not a bad thing. In addition, picture books can be quite complex requiring the reader to understand word play through pictures or to find hidden meanings or solve puzzles.

To say that the only good option to advance kids' reading skills at the preschool and kindergarten level is through books with minimal pictures is misguided in my opinion. Exposing them to a wide variety of things to read throughout their lives on the other hand can only create a well-rounded reader and hopefully a life-long reader too.

What do you think?

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

New Garden Makes Books Come Alive

What do you get when you combine a love of books and gardens? Keep reading & find out!

My friend Barb Techel (who I'm also so proud to say is a client of mine too) finds some of the most interesting places to hook up with to promote and sell her books. I imagine some of them find her too, but either way, she is definitely one to watch to get the creative juices going if yours have dried up.

Her latest adventure involves teaming up with an absolutely beautiful and cool place called Bookworm Gardens located in Sheboygan Wisconsin. It's called a literary garden and it brings to life several classic tales like Charlotte's Web and The Magic Treehouse. Barb's book Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog will soon be featured as well. However, it's more than just another attraction for families to visit and look at nice displays and flowers. It provides a place for imaginations of all ages to run free among the trees, flowers, words and rhymes. With so many stories being written about how kids/people are reading less I absolutely applaud this effort to make a difference and to make sure the future is full of book lovers. I hope my imagination and I get to visit soon.

Find out more about Barb and the Gardens at her site/blog Joyful Paws.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Great Round Up of Resources for Children's Writers

One of the things I enjoy about coaching people is providing resources. Sometimes, all someone needs is just that missing bit of information to be able to soar with their book project. Recently, I came across a website that offers way more than a bit of information for children's writers. Logically, it's called Resources for Children's Writers and there's a ton of useful stuff, everything from writing to agents to publishing.

Also, don't forget to take a peek at the rest of her site too. Any time you visit another writer's site, I recommend taking a quick look around. You may find design ideas, things you want to try, things you might want to avoid and, of course, marketing ideas. In general, writers are a bunch that are willing to share and help out so take advantage (in the good sense) whenever you have the opportunity.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Do You Write Read-Aloud Books? Take Note

I was alerted to today's tidbit courtesy of fellow author Barb Techel (BTW, if you like daschunds, you'll want to check out her mission in life www.joyfulpaws.com)

The info she passed along via Facebook is about a new type of e-book reader program called Ripple that's geared for kids. Here's how it works in a nutshell: authors can make their read-aloud books available through the service, an adult purchases the ebook version, and then record themselves reading it via their own computer speaker. They then tell the child their book is ready for them, the child logs on and can hear the story being read to them by the person who purchased the book. The grownup involved might be a grandparent living in another city or potentially a parent working or serving outside the country.

There's a short video clip that describes it in a little more detail .

I agree with the gentleman who posted the video, even if it's not quite here yet, it's something to keep an eye on. In the meantime, if you sell this kind of book, why not recommend/suggest what is available now to potential buyers? Using Skype to read a book live via the net or recording even a short video and emailing a link or uploading it is easier and easier to do, but not everyone will think of doing it, even if they're aware of the technology. Have them try it out with your book!


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Children's Literacy, Children's Author Resources

Just had to share this resource I found today via a twitter. If you have an interest in children's literacy, this single post will keep you occupied for quite a while if you pop over to all of the links it shares. The other cool thing is that it doesn't stop there, there's all kinds of useful stuff to help you learn, write and promote any related books or projects.

Grab a cup of coffee or lemonade and enjoy Jen Robinson's Book Page.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Writing for the Young and Young at Heart

I read this quote today on Twitter: No book is worth reading at the age of 10 which is not equally– & often far more worth reading at age 50 & beyond"— C.S. Lewis

It struck me for a couple of reasons. First, I started thinking about how we are trained as writers with regard to marketing. We are supposed to target a particular buying audience and I still believe that's a good thing and totally necessary. However, some books we treasure really are great for more than one age group. Think about your books for a moment, can a parent get as much joy out of reading as the child gets from hearing? Can kids and parents both read it and discuss it (I know it happened with Harry Potter and now Twilight). If not, it might be something to shoot for. If it does, make sure your blurbs, testimonials say so. It might be just the nudge you need to get a buyer to say yes.

Second, I have always loved really good children's books. You know the kind when you see the title or the picture on the cover at the store you just have to stop and check it out? Most are only 32 pages, but many spark more inspiration or provide more enjoyment than books 10x as long.

How about you, have you read anything lately just for the pure joy of the illustrations or the simple story, just like a child would? If not, I say do it on your next trip to the store. Your stressed out, super-stuffed, hectic adult life will thank you for it.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Another Editor Says the Industry is Changing and Authors Have Options

Depending on which author/writer forums you visit, which blogs you read, you'll still read comments that traditional publishing is the only valid option for authors. They may say anything else is a waste of time because it actually hurts your reputation rather than helps. While that may have been true most of the time years ago, the industry is changing and, as I've mentioned in this blog before, traditional editors are starting to say so. This time it's a children's book acquisitions editor and that's good news because entry into the kid lit world is supposed to be a very hard nut to crack.

Katara Patton discusses this and more at the Ministry Marketing Solutions blog http://ministrymarketingsolutions.blogspot.com/2009/02/want-to-write-and-publish-childrens.html
I think it's this week's must read.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Book Anatomy Lesson

Read this great post about the anatomy of a childrens' book today. For those of you who might be planning that kind of project, this sort of knowledge is useful. Even if you aren't planning to independently publish and hire a printer yourself, it's good to know at least some basics like this. It's important so that you aren't left to blindly follow/agree with whatever a publisher tells you. That familiar saying most definitely applies to publishing, "Knowledge is Power".

http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/2008/10/basic-book-construction.html


Good Writing & God Bless,

Cheryl Pickett