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Schnitzel von Krumm Forget-Me-Not by Lynley Dodd Picture Book Analysis
Schnitzel Von Krumm Forget Me Not is the tenth book in Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary series, and was published in 1998. Many of Lynley Dodd’s picture books are told with a carnivalesque structure. Schnitzel von Krumm, Forget-me-not is different. This one is told using classic structure and, in my opinion, is one of the most…
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A Family Man by V.S. Pritchett Short Story Analysis
“A Family Man” is a short story by British writer V.S. Pritchett (1900-1997), published in a 1977 edition of The New Yorker. Pritchett was a critic as well as a writer, and as a writer, was best known for the short form.
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Veronica by Roger Duvoisin
Veronica is a 1961 picture book by Swiss-American author and illustrator Roger Duvoisin. Some of the illustrations are full colour, others in black marker pen.
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Slinky Malinki, Open The Door by Lynley Dodd
Slinky Malinki (1993) is a rhyming carnivalesque picture book written and illustrated New Zealander Lynley Dodd. This book is an excellent case study in how writers and illustrators might encourage young readers to turn the page. LETTERBOXING AS PAGE TURNER Slinky Malinkiand Stickybeak Sydwere a troublesome pair;do you know what they did?Alone in the houseone…
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Story Opening Case Study: The Time Traveller’s Wife
The opening to sci-fi romance epic, The Time Traveller’s Wife, was a massive bestseller upon publication. How do the opening paragraphs draw readers in?
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Loneliness by Bruno Schulz Short Story Analysis
“Loneliness” is a (very) short story by Polish Jewish writer Bruno Schulz, translated into English by Celina Wieniewska and published in The New Yorker in 1977. Although the story appeared to English audiences in 1977, long after WW2, Bruno Schulz lived from 1892-1942. This story appeared in one of Bruno Schulz’s two short story collections,…
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Take Care, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas and Paul Meisel Analysis
The structure of Take Care, Good Knight is interesting because it is a perfect blend of carnivalesque and classic fairytale plot points (as outlined by Vladimir Propp). Where one carnivalesque plot point comes out, a fairytale plot point goes in.
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Story Opening Case Study: Never Let Me Go
The openings to stories by Kazuo Ishiguro are on the challenging side. Ishiguro writes for readers who persevere with a slow-burn mystery, who appreciate stories with gaps. It can be fun to fill in the gaps.
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Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer: You don’t have to be useful
Getting Rudolphed is a concept from disability activism with notable crossover in children’s literature… unfortunately for children’s literature.
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The Town Square In Art And Illustration
Header: Cathedral Square, Milan – Illustration by Dino Buzzati, 1957
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Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey Novel Study
Bad Guys is a bestselling Australian early reader by Australian author and illustrator Aaron Blabey. The Bad Guys series is frequently recommended for kids who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Treehouse series, stories by David Walliams, Ahn Do Weirdo, the Real Pigeons series, Minecraft Zombie books and other children’s books parents can find…
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Story Opening Case Study: Uglies by Scott Westerfield
A close analysis of the opening to a 2005 young adult novel. How much backstory to include? What about setting? And how does setting link to character and theme?
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Volcano, Lava, Magma
Volcanos in art and storytelling
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Treasure In Art And Illustration
Treasure: It’s never about the treasure. It’s about the adventure of finding it. Treasure in adventure stories is a stand-in for ‘winning’.
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Story Opening: Insignificant Events In The Life Of A Cactus by Dusti Bowling
The opening to Dusti Bowling’s middle grade novel, Insignificant Events In The Life Of A Cactus, is notable for its lists.