Breath snapping, air fogging, lip stinger, warmth filcher, sun muffler,
deep bone gnawer, blood thinner, steal-my-whistle
Earth cleanser, rime duster, bitter diamonds, tear freezer,
white assasin, kill-my-lover
lace threader, seed trigger, hoar stick, brittle barked, glitter sprinkler,
tree ripper, Gardener's Mercy
song killer, crystal maker, leaf snapper, stealth chilling, finger numbing, lip mumbling, stone breaking,
earth cracking, wouldn't-kick-a-dog-out
colour leacher, ice weaver, boney dancer, Sharp Jack
steely creeper, puddle crazing, eye glazer, fur stiffener, Wreath-of-Tears
fire maker, heart warmer, Pointy-faced-Mary peers in the window
tea drinker, soul reviver, Mother's-heal-all
EA, about that 6,000-word picture book you mentioned a while back. I know most picture books are under 1000 words these days, but I've noticed that picture book biographies are often longer and aimed at older readers. How many words max would you want to see in a picture book bio?
This is a separate category. The 6,000-word picture book was hilarious because the topic clearly marked it for pre-K.
I
love that more people are offering picture books to older kids. Most of those people are still teachers, though, especially in topics that have been fictionalized. Straight nonfiction picture books have had a pretty good spread into late elementary for a while.
You want to be careful about biographies, though--only make it a picture book biography if you really want it to reach into early elementary. Once you hit fourth grade, most teachers are demanding that biographies read for school have at least 100 pages. That cuts the picture books out of the equation.
The trick is not to say 'this category means this word count', but to picture the book's use. Longer nonfiction picture books will be read by the child, or browsed by parent and child. You still can't have an enormous word count, but you can have a darned high one if it's broken into appetizer-sized chunks. Think of the popularity of the Eyewitness books. Those have big word counts, but they make it easy to read a little here and there, and there's still a great deal of space for pictures.
But if the book is best used as a read-aloud--and that applies to picture books for the 0-7 set
and to picture books on topics best aimed at middle-schoolers (because seriously, no middle-schooler is going to
pick up a picture book him/herself), then you have to keep the word count down to something you can read aloud in 10 minutes. And 5 minutes is much better.
The real killer in any kind of picture book is big blocks of text. Don't do this. Either have a nimble little text, or break your long text into nimble little pieces.
What beautiful frosty photo's.
Bet Toby will like your mug when he see's it!
Hope all is well for you G.
P.xx
Beautiful post.
carolyn
willow house
Hi PG,
I found you blog through 'Muddy Shoes'. I L O V E those pictures of the fire and cup of tea - bliss!
There have been some wonderful frosts, sadly I have been too full of this cold to get out and enjoy them but captain ruperts has and looks very handsome out in the frost.
Lovely blog entry, very evocative of crackly cold and fireside cuppas!
Couldn't wait to get to the next photo you had displayed. Great post.
Hugs,
Connie
Yup, that's what I have been trudging through the past couple of days with the dogs! You are so lucky having a wood-burning stove, how comforting that looks.
Did you write the poetic piece - it's lovely, how evocative!
I have been so enjoying your blog since I found it via The Hermatage.
Love your work!
Take care,
Alison x
Wow that is some frost Gretel. We don't get frost lke that here, too close to the sea, in the 4 years I have lived here I have never had to scrape my windscreen!
Loving you taste in mugs!!
Toby.
Thank you for this beautiful post - your artist's eye obviously works for photos as well.
Oh...I don't know what is lovelier, the words or the pictures. I take that back, they are equally beautiful and go hand in hand. (hand in glove?)
Such absolutely gorgeous photos. I will come back several times to look at these and to feel the warmth of that fire.
thanks.
Oh, just look at the beauty that you have shared. The pictures really do just let me have a holiday journey away from this city.
And your word just kept me reading, faster and faster. Glad to see that cup at the end. Just as I was sipping my very own hot cup of PG tips.
Hoping that Christmastime will be very good to you.
xo
Looks like a six dog night for sure!
Hope you are staying warm and cozy inside...
(())
Francie
I love your pictures!! You've captured the moment wonderfully.
Blessings,
Debbie
in the onion patch
What a wordsmith you are :) ... and very lovely pictures. Am writing from a library on our travels and we are seeing similar frostinesses on waking in the mornings :) Good old cuppatea too eh? xR
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Beautiful photos and deliciously evocative wordage to boot :) (I know wordage isn't strictly a word, but I like it!!) Have missed you - will be in touch v. soon xxx
What a lovely photo of the frost leaf. We had a frosty day Friday and I was tempted to take a photo like that, but lazy me, I stayed inside where it was warm!
Thanks and hugs from Laura at Amongst The Oaks
Marvellous post ... beautiful photos and words.
Fabulous frosty fotos..
Are you wielding that paintbrush?
Will be in touch proper.. soon.
Mx
So nice to see a picture of your wood burner roaring away. Jack frost has been around here the last few days too, good to see him about ! ~ love julia x
Your words are so apt and beautifully rhythmic, like the noise of a train chugging along. We were in the middle of the most stunning Northumbrian countryside last Saturday and all around was as white as could be. It was the most breathtaking scene imaginable.
And whilst I'm at it, if I'm not around here again before it - Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!
Fab post!! Beautiful words (I was blown away by them) and gorgeous photos! I feel so seasonal after reading it. Merry christmas!
Merry, Merry Christmas, Gretel ... in your absolutely fabulous part of the world ... in your cottage surrounded by amazing artwork (your own). It's been such a gift to read your blog (and send your cards) this year!
Now THAT'S a mouthful! Whew! Great photos. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
I took in each word, rolled it about on my tongue, spoke it aloud and savoured each in turn. Incredible writing!
I send warm wishes and hugs from the west coast and hope you have a joyous festive holiday season and a grand 2008.
What a wonderful post and pictures! Have a very Merry Christmas :)
tea
xo
Amazingly evocative pictures.
Wish I were there.
Such frosty loveliness.
Happy holidays to you
from Vienna,
where the frost on the trees of the hills ringing the west of the city is painting its icy pictures too.
I really love that Trees on Sunrise picture !! Other pics are great too !