Picture Book Studies: What’s Working? Featuring SQUARE and STARRING CARMEN!

This is what my weekly library haul looks like. Between being a writer, a elementary teacher, a mother to 2 young kids, and a lover of picture books, I read an average of 20-30 picture books a day. Many of them MORE than once. That’s more than 9,000 picture books a year!

By Katrina Moore

If you want to write picture books, you have to read picture books.  Hundreds. Thousands. Hundreds of thousands of picture books. As debut author Cate Berry eloquently says on the Cynsations Blog: “Picture books are like learning a new language. There is a rhythm, a vibe, and implicit rules are attached to the form. Taking a class or reading a craft book is great, but reading a heap of picture books is even better.”

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​But if you’re a writer, it’s not enough to read picture books.  You must study picture books.  What’s working? What’s Fresh? Why do you love it?

Here’s how I studied two recently released picture books in 3 parts:

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SQUARE
By Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2018)

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PART I: Summarize
First, I read the book as a reader.  
If I really enjoyed the book, then I jot down some summary* points:

Premise: (Who/what’s this about and what’s their goal?)

Square is trying to make something for Circle that’s as perfect as Circle is.

Inciting Incident: (What happens to set the story in motion?)

Circle sees the “sculpture” that Square “made” and insists he makes one for her.

Resolution:

You’ll have to check it out yourself !:-)

*Acclaimed author Arree Chung has a great method for studying picture books (& more) that he shares in his Storyteller Academy Class.

Part II: Analyze
Then, I think about how this picture book works as a marketable product for the intended audience.  *Remember, picture books are unique in that you have 2 audiences in mind (the child and also the adult reading to the child):

What’s working?

The story structure is familiar, but it’s suspenseful from the inciting incident.  As a reader, I’m wondering, how will Square solve this? He’s unprepared for it! Oh, the pressure!!  I can feel the tension.

There’s logic.  Everything make sense for this abstract world.  I’m not spending my time questioning or second guessing anything that distracts me from the narrative.

It’s deceptively simple! There’s a lot of room for the reader to fill in the blanks.

What’s fresh?

What I love about this book, and really all books by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, individually and together, is that they both respect the child reader and her/his intelligence. SQUARE allows big conversations and a lot of thinking to happen.  The takeaway is so subtle and it’s open to interpretation.

Why did I love it?

This book is so funny!  There’s sparse text and very specific word choice, such as “Oh crumbs!” and “Oh dirt!”

The art is genius. Jon Klassen is able to convey so much emotion from these characters using only their eyes.

I was emotionally invested in Square’s “journey.”  His problem was relatable, and the way the page turns built up tension was extremely satisfying.  On spread 26-27, Square says, “I Must stay up all night and figure this out!” And when I turned the page, I burst out in laughter.  All that built up tension was comically deflated in a very enjoyable way.

Part III: Storyboard
Finally, because I am fascinated with the picture book design and story structures, I like to flip back through the pages (starting from when the story begins) and break down how many spreads are dedicated to each part of the story arc**:

Set up: 5 spreads

Escalation: 7 spreads

Climax/Low Point: 2 spreads

Resolution: 3 spreads

Wink: 1 spread

**For more on storyboarding a picture book, see Steph Lurie’s interview on Picture Book Builders. (Note that this will work with narrative picture books, but not others, such as concept books.)

STARRING CARMEN!

Written by Anika Denise Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez GÓmez 

(Abrams Books For Young Readers, 2017)

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Part I: ​Summarize

Premise: (Who/what’s this about and what’s their goal?)

Carmen is a star, a one-girl sensaciÓn! But how will the show go on when the audience needs a break from show business?

Inciting Incident: (What happens to set the story in motion?)

Carmen’s little brother, Eduardo, asks if he can be in her show.

Resolution:

You’ll have to check it out yourself ! :-)

Part II: Analyze

What’s Working?

This story is paced well (see Part III) and gives us insight into Carmen’s world.  From the catchy title and bright, colorful cover, I’m intrigued! I know this is going to be about Carmen.  She is a star!  I want to know more. What makes her a star? What happens when she’s not a star? It’s a character I want to know more about.

What’s fresh?

While there are many sibling stories, this one stars Carmen! It’s her perspective, her world, her stage.  The narrative voice is strong and thus, we are immersed in Carmen’s world from start to end. 

Why did I love it?

Carmen has universal appeal and yet, she’s so uniquely her own.  She’s sassy, a bit devious, and loves her little brother. I saw myself as an older sister in Carmen, and myself as a younger sibling in Eduardo.  I also loved that this book stars a girl from a marginalized background that we don't often see in a starring role. We get a glimpse into this loving family’s life and learn some new spanish words throughout that adds fun flair to this charming story.  And the last spread had me giggling.

Part III: Storyboard

Set up: 3 spreads

Escalation: 4 spreads

Climax/Low Point: 3 spreads

Resolution: 4 spreads

Wink: 1 spread

Now it’s your turn! Pull out that picture book manuscript you’ve been polishing.  Summarize it. Analyze it. Storyboard it.

What’s working? 

What’s fresh? 

Why will a reader love it?

In a future post, I’ll dive more deeply into revision.  

Until then, happy reading (and studying) and writing!✨