So thrilled to be invited to join Kellie Byrnes on her blog for the first stop of the blog tour. It is amazing to me that through the Internet we can become friends with people all over the world. Kellie lives in Australia, so this week’s give-away is specifically for people living in Australia. I hope the Aussie’s love Mouse’s Christmas Gift, too!
Here is the link to Kellie’s blog post: Kellie Byrne’s Blog Post with Mindy Baker
Thanks so much for hosting me, Kellie!
My friend and romantic fiction novelist Penelope Powell interviewed me for her blog.
This month’s theme is CHRISTMAS IN JULY…so Mouse’s Christmas Gift made an appearance.
You can read my post by clicking on this link:
Link to interview on Penelope’s Blog
Penny now has two novels published with Anaiah Press and a Christmas novella on the way, to be released November 16, 2018.
The titles are:
Glen Oak Series — A Powerful Voice
Glen Oak Series– A Furrow So Deep
Christmas Novella — My Christmas Hope
Penny’s website
I’m honored she ask me to visit her website! Thanks, Penny!
Analyzing Picture Books for Layers
I go to the library regularly and check out mentor texts. A mentor text is a recently published picture book that I analyze. I try to learn from the techniques that the author used, and apply my knowledge to my own writing.
My latest treasure is a book called EL CHUPACABRAS by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Crash McCreery. The book grabbed my attention because of the Spanish–I am a Spanish teacher, so of course I had to take a look at this book! The Chupacabra is a terrifying creature of Puerto Rico legends, and the word Chupacabra literally means “goat sucker.”
One strength of the story is in the CHARACTER. Instead of a terrifying monster, Rubin describes the Chupacabras a tiny gentleman who wore a bow tie and drank chocolate and ate churros. In the end of the story, he is the one to save the day. This is a huge flip to the usual terrifying chupacabras. I feel that this teaches children that they should get to know someone for who he is, not judge him based on a “rumor.”
The standout strength of the book in my opinion is the unique STRUCTURE.
Rubin first writes a sentence half in English and half in Spanish, then flips and writes half in Spanish and half in English. I adore the flow and the blending of the two languages!
Sample:
“Hector liked goats, pero Carla prefería las bicicletas.
A Héctor le gustaban las cabras, but Carla preferred bicicletas.”
I can definitely see myself using this in the classroom, especially as an example for preterite vs. imperfect, and of course introducing one of the famous legendary creatures of the Spanish speaking world.
Fun book!
More on layers:
Here is the list of layers that Julie Hedlund described in a tutorial video that I watched back in the fall. It has been very helpful to me as I think about the elements that I want each of my manuscripts to contain:
1. Plot
2. Character
3. Heart
4. Rule of Three
5. Pacing
6. Illustrations
7. Voice
8. Structure
9. Language
10. Theme
I am happy to announce that the winner of the book is (drum roll please…)
Congratulations! I will be in touch with you about the details of receiving your book.
A big thanks to Denette Fretz for allowing me to host, and a big thanks to Zonderkidz for providing the prize.
And thanks to everyone who visited this blog post, I hope you enjoyed finding out more about I Want Your Smile, Crocodile! It truly is a fantastic book.
My original interview with Denette Fretz
Blog tour — Interview with Denette by Glenys Nellist
Blog tour — Read, Discuss, Do with Rebecca J. Gomez
Blog tour — 6 extension activities with Laura Sassi
About the author:
Denette Fretz’s passion is creating imaginative, engaging stories that help children understand and apply biblical principles. A veteran elementary educator, Fretz resides in Medford, Oregon with her husband, a sassy cat, and a spastic Jack-A-Bee.
