How to use this Page

#82 A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton (2008)
24 points

I will always, always love Bear and the mouse (small, and gray, and bright-eyed). – Kristi Hazelrigg

Love the language and the characters’ flair for the dramatic. - Jessalynn Gale

Here’s a book with what I like to think of as a slow burn.  It came out in 2008 but because my last Picture Book Poll was held in 2009 I feel like not enough time had passed for people to properly put this book into context.  Four years after its initial publication (and many a fine sequel later) it makes it on to the list at a fair #82.  I reviewed the book myself back in the day and I remember that it was one of my favorites of the year.

I described the plot in this way, “Bear’s pretty good at keeping people away. No one ever visits him, and just in case one does he has a big sign in front that reads, ‘NO visitors allowed’. Just in case. Everything is fine and dandy until one day a mouse ’small and gray and bright-eyed’ knocks on the door. Bear says in no uncertain terms that he is not keen on visitors. The mouse seems to understand, but when Bear attempts to get out a bowl for himself, there sits the mouse asking for a spot of tea. After throwing out the unwanted guest Bear tries to open his bread drawer next, and there again is the mouse! To Bear’s increasing frustration the mouse is absolutely everywhere, and no amount of stoppering or locking keeps him away. At last, Bear consents to having a bit of tea with the miniscule visitor and soon discovers that the mouse is attentive, easily impressed, and laughs at Bear’s jokes. And when it is time for the mouse to go, Bear finds himself unceremoniously ripping down the ‘NO visitors allowed’ sign. After all, he says, that is a sign for salesmen. Not for friends.”

At 56 pages it’s a longer picture book, that’s for sure.  Because it reads aloud so well it’s better to try it with a group of second or third grader who have a better sense of patience.  On my blog, Ms. Becker said of the page count, “One of the many reasons Candlewick is so great to work with. The story at around 800 words would have easily fit into 32 pages. But, even though it meant more expense, Candlewick kept upping the page count to make the pacing work.”  Worth it.

• Even Daniel Pinkwater recommended it on NPR back in the day.

Said School Library Journal of the book, “Denton’s softly hued watercolor illustrations capture the humorous interplay between the unlikely companions. . . . The lively repetition and superb pacing make this an ideal choice for storytime.”

And said Booklist, “Watercolor, ink and gouache illustrations in a soft color palette show a comfortable, expansive house that seems to emphasize Bear’s need for a friend to fill it up. The characters are highly expressive, making the pictures fun, and the dramatic text will lend itself to reading aloud.”

Horn Book loved it, as is right, with a, “In the presence of a friend, Bear is transformed; both text and art handle the shift in perspective with aplomb. A surefire storytime hit, A Visitor for Bear won’t wear out its welcome.”

Kirkus could hardly disagree either, “Charmingly droll, watercolor, ink and gouache illustrations, excellent

Kady MacDonald Denton

Today I was determined to get a new entry written and then work on subplots for STARVED. Here it is, though, past 10:30, and I'm just settling down to work. I had to contact a representative from an educational publishing company to get copyright info on a math problem that I found on the web for HUNGRY. I got a letter from him last year, but there was some technicality to look into. So . . . behind schedule!

Much of my energy this week has been spent packing for our trip to Chile (leaving soon!) and working with a district committee to hammer out our English Learner program (dealing with boring stuff like forms, so all the schools in the district are on the same page).

Back to plotting: as a writer, plot is the hardest thing for me to deal with. I do outline after outline, but what seems to be logical often doesn't work when I'm actually trying to write. My good friend and mentor Bruce McAllister (a great writing coach: http://www.mcallistercoaching.com/) suggested I get the book Myth and the Movies, by Stuart Voytilla and study how the hero's journey, the archetypal "template" that all good stories follow, is applied to various film genres: science fiction, thriller, romance, romantic comedy, history, etc. The process works just as well for all stories: movies, novels, short stories.

I find that I don't enjoy a lot of movies anymore because I know what's going to happen: toward the end of the movie, the protagonist gets his or her reward which signals that the biggest hurdle is on its way. I was a little reluctant to use the process when I first read the book. Now, though, looking at it again after a year, I see what a powerful tool it is.

I've drafted the main plot of STARVED (at least I've done a first run of it) on a circle chart using the elements as described in Myth and the Movies: starting in the ordinary world, encountering a mentor, refusing the call to adventure, accepting it, crossing the threshold to a special world, facing tasks, symbolically dying through an ordeal, coming back into the ordinary world with a reward, being resurrected on the road back to the ordinary world, and returning with an elixer. There is also a character arc that correlates with plot points. Having this structure really did make the story I want to write easier to conceive.

I want to do the same process with the two subplots for STARVED later today. All three circles (or more if I have time to do character archs) will go with me to Chile. I work best when I give myself deadlines, so I've promised myself that I'll have a strong beginning for the book before I return.

Since I write about the hero journey today, the peace dove is for the young men and women in Iraq. I hate this war and don't believe in it, but my heart goes out to those who are in the middle of it. I just heard that one of my former students is headed for the army. I know that there are many kids I used to teach over there. I wish them safety, a swift return home, and peace for everyone in that tattered country.