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I recently read By Mouse and Frog, a charming picture book by Deborah Freedman and Finding Serendipity, a delightful middle grade adventure coauthored by Heather Rose and Danielle Wood writing as Angelica Banks. While distinctly different in format and structure, both feature characters in search of a story.
By Mouse and Frog by Deborah Freedman
"One morning, Mouse woke up especially early, eager to write a brand-new story..."
Mouse's quiet writing reverie is continually interrupted by the over-exuberant Frog, eager to add his own embellishments, including "elevendy-seven kinds of ice cream." He references Nursery Rhymes and numerous picture book classics such as The Stinky Cheese Man, Blueberries for Sal, and Are You My Mother. The dizzying array of Frog's suggestions becomes mind boggling. Unfortunately, the original story concept becomes lost in the chaos.
Both eventually realize that a great story embodies the best of both imagination and restraint. The creation of a story begins with a germ of an idea. During development and before the story is complete, some ideas will be discarded, and others modified.
The finished story will be an authentic creation of the author(s).
Mouse's quiet writing reverie is continually interrupted by the over-exuberant Frog, eager to add his own embellishments, including "elevendy-seven kinds of ice cream." He references Nursery Rhymes and numerous picture book classics such as The Stinky Cheese Man, Blueberries for Sal, and Are You My Mother. The dizzying array of Frog's suggestions becomes mind boggling. Unfortunately, the original story concept becomes lost in the chaos.
Both eventually realize that a great story embodies the best of both imagination and restraint. The creation of a story begins with a germ of an idea. During development and before the story is complete, some ideas will be discarded, and others modified.
The finished story will be an authentic creation of the author(s).
Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks
Tuesday McGillycuddy had no intention of writing a book. Her plans change when she discovers that her mother, children's book author Serendipity Smith is not to be found. Tuesday initiates a search for her missing mother, jumping into the world of her mother's story.
As Tuesday explains to the Librarian:
"You see, I'm not a writer...My mother is a writer. I used her typewriter, and well, I don't know how it worked, but it did."
"Not it," said the Librarian impatiently. "You YOU! It's not typewriters that write books. It's writers... you can't get here because of a typewriter. You came because you have a story inside you wanting to get out."
Tuesday discovers that the story within her must be experienced and become real to her before she can write it.
A story that can "feel as real as sunshine on your face... taste like mint on your tongue...sound like lightning or the scream of someone you love dearly. It wouldn't be a good story if ...writers didn't totally believe in it..."
As Tuesday explains to the Librarian:
"You see, I'm not a writer...My mother is a writer. I used her typewriter, and well, I don't know how it worked, but it did."
"Not it," said the Librarian impatiently. "You YOU! It's not typewriters that write books. It's writers... you can't get here because of a typewriter. You came because you have a story inside you wanting to get out."
Tuesday discovers that the story within her must be experienced and become real to her before she can write it.
A story that can "feel as real as sunshine on your face... taste like mint on your tongue...sound like lightning or the scream of someone you love dearly. It wouldn't be a good story if ...writers didn't totally believe in it..."
Finding Serendipity is loaded with many phrases which make excellent quotes. You can find a selection of them on the Macmillan website.
Several of the quotes reference the importance and joy of reading and writing and would be excellent to post in a library or classroom. However, I am fond of this from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll:
“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again!”
Several of the quotes reference the importance and joy of reading and writing and would be excellent to post in a library or classroom. However, I am fond of this from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll:
“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again!”
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