Exploring Genres - Picture Books & Chapter Books

by Penny Reeve

Picture books and middle grade – invitations to the world!

I was in conversation with my daughter the other day and, as is fairly common at our place, the
conversation turned to books, children’s books in particular. She related how, upon sharing her
excitement at discovering the children’s books section of her university library, none of her young adult friends understood her enthusiasm.

‘They don’t understand,’ she commented. ‘They think, just because they’re grown up now, they should leave children’s books behind. They don’t realise some of the best books written are children’s books.’

Of course, I agreed. I’m a children’s book writer!

But, feelings of successful parenting aside, I do believe she has a point. Somehow our society has decided that children’s books, picture books and middle grade novels and the like are simple. But I’d encourage you to go browsing, next time you’re in a library or a bookshop, and take a closer look.

Children’s picture books and novels can be fun, silly, hilarious, rebellious, challenging, heart breaking, tear jerking, thought provoking and altogether beautiful in a way that no other genre can imitate. AND they have the incredible ability to do all of this, frequently at multiple levels (so each reader – despite their age and experience – can connect with the text in their own way).

So what exactly are the features of the genre that allow for such depth and, in my opinion, treasure worthy pieces?

Picture books

A picture book is a book in which illustrations carry a significant (if not majority) role communicating a story. A picture book cannot exist without it’s artwork, but some can exist without text.

The conventions of writing a picture book are very strict and they are known, for good reason, to be some of the hardest pieces of writing to pull off. Here’s why:

- A picture book needs to fit within 32 pages (and this includes the title page and imprint pages). So it’s typically 14-15 page spreads.

- Picture books are typically only 600 words long. (So that’s the WHOLE story in 600 words, or less if possible)

- The text of a picture book must be written in a way that allows an illustrator to extend, enhance and fulfil the storytelling.

- Many times illustrators and authors never meet, so the text must be as perfect as possible, often richly poetic (though not necessarily rhyming) with absolutely NO wasted words.

It is this mysterious interplay between words and pictures in great picture books that is the wonderful strength of the picture book genre.

Some highlights in the genre:

Check out the illustrations of Jesus as a child in Mighty Mighty King (Penny Morrison and Lisa Flanagan)

Notice the powerful role of illustrations in When I See Grandma (Debra Tidball and Leigh Hedstrom)

See the gentle communication of emotion and personality in Same (Katrina Roe and Jemima Trappell)

Children’s novels

Children’s novels are another genre that’s worth dipping into for us ‘grown ups’ but also for sharing with kids. 

From a literacy training perspective, they bridge the space between picture books and young adult novels. Whereas picture books assume an adult reader and child listener, children’s novels assume a child will, at some point, approach the book alone. This inevitably creates child friendly structure for the book in terms of:

- Word count. At the lower end of the scale are ‘Chapter Books’, these are a child reader’s first foray into the novel genre and word counts can be as low as 1000. The upper level nudges closer to 40 000 words for what is considered ‘Middle Grade’.

- Chapter length. This can vary, but is usually kept shorter than YA to encourage a fluid, realistic reading experience for young readers.

- Child protagonists are usually at a similar age to their intended reader.

- Plot complications, characterisation and description. Although these must be heavily worked by the author to make for authentic writing, they are communicated sparsely and with precision. Young readers aren’t going to tolerate long descriptive passages of the view from the cliff top, and yet (especially if that cliff top is important to the theme/setting/plot) they need to know what it looks and feels like. So a light touch is required.

- Illustrations. Many children’s novels include illustrations of some sort. The occasional black line illustration etc. The longer the novel, the smaller a role such illustrations play.

Some highlights in the genre:

The Grand Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler (Lisa Shanahan) is a beautifully written story of friendship, bike riding, courage and family.

My Tania Abbey novels tackle issues of faith, friendship and responding to poverty amid a setting of everyday life.

Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll (Rosanne Hawke) is a lovely adventure story for young readers and considers topics such as belonging and learning about different cultures.

Author bio:

Penny Reeve is the Australian author of more than 20 books for children, including the CALEB Children’s Category award winning Madison picture books. She writes to empower children to engage with - and respond to - the world around them. Her most recently published books are Camp Max (a children’s novel for 6-10 year olds) and Out of the Cages (a YA novel about human trafficking). You can learn more about Penny and her books by visiting her websites:

www.pennyreeve.com and www.pennyjaye.com

Book Review | Liana's Dance by Rosanne Hawke

Review by Iola Goulton @iolagoulton

Liana Bedford is half Australian and half Pakistani, and has spent most of her life in an international boarding school in the north of Pakistan while her parents work in the rural villages. She speaks the language and is comfortable in her surroundings ...

Until the bomb.

Mikal Kimberley has never left Australia before. Now he's got a job as a music teacher in an international school in Pakistan, near the Himlalayas. He doesn't speak the language or know the culture. But he has an ulterior motive: to find the father and sister who don't even know he exists.

Both are caught up in the worsening political situation as the local population seeks to rid the area of of Amriki—Americans. No matter that Liana, Mikal, and many of the others students and teachers are British or Australian. The attacks get closer and closer to the school, until the decision is made to evacuate the children to the safety of their national embassies.

That's when the trouble starts ...

Nothing goes according to plan, and Liana and Mikal find themselves hiding in plain sight, trying to rescue Liana's missing classmates while knowing the consequences of being caught.

Liana's Dance is a fascinating insight into another culture, and into the lives of missionaries and other international workers in countries hostile to the gospel. It's also an insight into the sacrifice they and their families must make, as they are separated for long periods during the year.

The writing is strong, and I enjoyed the occasional touches of humour, like the reference to the temperature being "a cool thirty degrees centigrade". I think that's about ninety degrees Farenheit. Thirty is definitely a warm summer day here in New Zealand!

I recommend Liana's Dance to anyone who wants to better understand the challenges for expatriate workers and their children, for anyone looking for a strong young adult novel with plenty of adventure, and for anyone who wants to expand their own knowledge and understanding of other cultures:

Isn't that food for thought?

Thanks to Rhiza Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Iola Goulton

Iola Goulton is a New Zealand book reviewer, freelance editor, and author, writing contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Unpronounceable Names (Iola is pronounced yo-la, not eye-ola and definitely not Lola).

Iola holds a degree in marketing, has a background in human resource consulting, and currently works as a freelance editor. When she’s not working, Iola is usually reading or writing her next book review. Iola lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand (not far from Hobbiton) with her husband, two teenagers and one cat. She is currently working on her first novel.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

September New Releases

Liana's Dance by Rosanne Hawke (Rhiza Press, 1 August 2017) 

Sixteen-year-old Liana Bedford lives in constant fear. Political tensions in Pakistan are rising and terrorist attacks are becoming an everyday norm.

As a Pakistani-Australian, she could be the next target. When her school friends are taken hostage by terrorists, Liana’s world disappears overnight.

Alongside her new teacher, Mr Kimberley, she must journey through rural Pakistan in a bid to find them and bring them home. But Mr Kimberley has a secret, and to save him and her friends, Liana must overcome her fears.

And dance for her life.

An unforgettable story about one Pakistani-Australian’s will to survive.

Liana’s Dance is a stand alone novel from Rosanne Hawke, inspired by a character from Rosanne’s Beyond Borders series.

Website

Lizzy's Fragon by Melissa Gijsbers (Stone Table Books, 7 September 2017) 

When she finds an odd looking egg in the forest behind her house she decides to hide it in her bedroom in the hope that it will hatch into a lizard.  What she gets is ‘Bubbles’, the oddest, fastest growing lizard she has ever seen. It doesn’t take long for her annoying little brother to discover her secret pet. It also doesn’t take long for Bubbles to grow out of her room. Lizzy begins to wonder whether Bubbles is a lizard at all, or something even more amazing. But how will Lizzy keep Bubbles a secret? And what will happen to Bubbles if anyone finds out about him?

Where to buy.

The Warrior Lord's Trumph by Ray Hawkins

Fourth in the Warrior Lord series, this 31 day devotional leads us to an appreciation of the wonder associated with Christ's return.

As our world becomes more chaotic, confusing and being on the edge of catastrophe, these devotions offer Biblical insights birthing hope. History's climax has been outlined. We see the scenarios taking shape. Knowing Christ's return in Triumph as the Warrior Lord and King breathes peace into our soul.

Daily themes such as 'When God Sings Solo' gives us a sense of His joy for His people. Another insight is 'Heaven's Hallelujah chorus' highlight the music and songs in Revelation.

R.R.P is $11:95 (Aus.) paper back. Ebook price to be determined
Available in Christians books such as Amazon in Australia and overseas countries.

Website

Jewel of the Stars by Adam David Collings (Tamar Publications, 31 August 2017)

The Cruise is Over

Haylee was more confident designing starships than raising an autistic child. She just wants a relaxing holiday with her family. But when Earth falls to an alien armada, she knows life will never be the same again.

Les was just a cruise ship captain. Now, he must rise up and become something greater, if he is to keep his crew and passengers alive.

Braxton never wanted to leave the space navy, but now, taking a cruise is the only way to feel the stars around him. This crisis may be his ticket to regaining the life he thought was gone forever.

Can they overcome their differences and save everyone on the ship?

If they reach unexplored space, they might yet survive, but an unstoppable enemy stands in their way…

Amazon link 

Book Review: Zenna Dare by Rosanne Hawke

Review by Carol Preston

Rosanne Hawke is an Australian author of over twenty books, among them Shahana, The Messenger Bird the winner of the 2013 Cornish Holyer an Gof award for YA literature, and Taj and the Great Camel Trek. She is a bard of Cornwall and lives in rural South Australia in an old Cornish farmhouse with underground rooms

Cover blurb     When Jenefer moves into the old family home in country Kapunda, she uncovers a secret from the past. What sort of life did Gweniver, her great-great-great grandmother, lead? And what connection did she have to the glamorous young singer, Zenna Dare?

Could a nineteenth-century mother of nine have led a double life, and, if so, why? In a story crossing five generations, from the old world to the new, Zenna Dare brings reconciliation in more ways than Jenefer could ever have imagined.

My review

This great story is set in the Barossa Valley area in South Australia. When Jenefer and her family move away from the city to this small town and into an old family home, built in the 1850s, Jenefer is sure she is going to be miserable. She is not at all prepared for the fascinating journey she embarks on after discovering a secret room in the house and a box filled with intriguing hints about the life of her triple great grandmother. Nor is she prepared for the relationship which developed between her and Caleb, whose mother was one of the stolen generation and whose indigenous background has set him apart from much of the local community in ways that Jenefer finds disturbing.

Rosanne Hawke really captures all the intrigue of family history research in this story; the mystery, the possibilities, the excitement of discovery, the images of past lives, family secrets, the thrill of walking where one's ancestors have walked. The truth unfolds at a great pace – not too much at once and plenty of anticipation about what’s ahead.

The issues around Jenefer’s relationship with Caleb are also explored sensitively and provocatively. Caleb’s background and his character help the reader to consider what it truly means to be Australian, and to reflect on how to deal with prejudice against indigenous Australians. The love that develops between Caleb and Jenefer is touching and powerful.

I found Rosanne’s writing style engaging, her characters believable and likeable, the issues she raises compelling and inspiring. I believe this story will appeal to readers who enjoy history, family intrigues, romance and current issues around prejudice and acceptance. I look forward to reading other stories by Rosanne Hawke.

Zenna Dare is available from Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Zenna%20Dare&sprefix=Zenna%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AZenna%20Dare

Also from Rhiza Press   http://www.rhizapress.com.au/zenna-dare

And all good book stores.

Carol writes historical novels based on her family history, set in the early colonial days of Australia. You can see more about Carol and her novels on her website, Amazon page or FB page. 

www.carolpreston.com.au

www.amazon.com/author/carolpreston
www.facebook.com/writingtoreach