A few weeks back I posted a review in our Perfect Picture Book Friday series of the first book Matt illustrated, THE NEW GIRL…. AND ME. I had so many comments on this post on my Facebook page from people … Continue reading
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Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interview, graphic novels, picture books, Candlewick Press, Matt Phelan, Illustrators, The New Girl...and Me, Illustrator interview, Howard Pyle, Jacqui Robbins, Betty Birney, Brandywine Tradition, DRUTHERS, The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, the Wyeths, Add a tag
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: KidLit, Picture Books, Matt Phelan, Children's Writing, Author Interview, Writing for Children, Two of a Kind, Jacqui Robbins, The New Girl and Me, PiBoIdMo, Add a tag
Picture Book Confessional
by Jacqui Robbins
Here is a confession: I have problems. And I want you to have them too.
I know it’s PiBoIdMo. But I don’t get ideas, really. I get problems, and characters that have them.
It starts with a voice whispering. Usually it’s one line.
“Kayla and Melanie are two of a kind.”
There’s a rhythm in the line and it gets stuck in my head. I try to ignore the voice, but it chases me around. It talks at me while I drive, when I run, when I’m on my fiftieth game of Sorry with my son. I hear the voice, and I start to fall in love with the character behind it. “Who is this poor girl who wants so badly to be the third in the two of a kind?”
Well, once I’m in love with my character, I can’t just leave her there, stuck in her problem. I have to write her out of it.
“What can she do?” I ask myself. And the book is born.
You’ve been thinking of picture book ideas all month. If you’re anything like me, you’ve used up your “been saving this one a while” ideas. You’ve gone through your “Hmm, that might be good” ideas and are starting in on your “well, it’s something, I guess” ideas. By next week, you’ll be on your “please, lord, don’t let anyone read this even if I’m dead I’ll be so embarrassed” ideas.
So today, try this. Start with a character. Who is he? Where does he spend most of his time? What does he think about? What does his voice sound like in your head?
Now, what does he love more than anything else in the world?
Well, he can’t have it.
Why?
Ooh, now he has a problem. Poor guy. You can’t just leave him there. There’s only one thing to do.
Write him out of it.
Jacqui Robbins has filed resumes, sold books, written grants, worked the grill at a snack bar, and taught students from ages 6 months to 65 years.
Jacqui’s first book, The New Girl…And Me was published in June, 2006 (illustrated by Matt Phelan, Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books). Jacqui’s next book, Two of a Kind, came out in July, 2009 (also illustrated by Matt Phelan, Atheneum).
Blog: Shutta's Place (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's writers, bullies, Two of a Kind, Other Good Stuff!, Jacqui Robbins, books for early elementary school, new kid in school, picture books about bullies, The New Girl and Me, News, children's books, book reviews, Appearances, bullying, The Writing Life, Add a tag
Congratulations to my friend Jacqui Robbins who was feted and cheered by an audience of cupcake smeared admirers. (The cupcakes were good!) But her second book, TWO OF A KIND (Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Published by Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2009), is even better than bright blue and green cupcakes! It has just taken its first steps out into the world, and what a sensitive and honest book it is!
Jacqui has just the right touch and is in tune with the tragedies of life in early elementary school. Join me in welcoming this new book. (Click on the photo in the sidebar, to be taken to an independent bookstore where you may order Jacqui’s book.) In addition, check out her funny blog at: http://jacquirobbins.blogspot.com .
And in case you missed it . . . here is Jacqui’s first book, THE NEW GIRL . . . AND ME. You teachers, listen up! Jacqui’s books are spot-on for use in the early elementary classroom. She handles the problems of bullies, and new students with a knowing touch.
Enjoy!
Shutta
Blog: Children's Illustration (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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The Least You Need To Know: The Acquisitions Meeting