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Re: How Much Truth in Picture Book Biographies?
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From: Susanna Reich <reichgolio_at_verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:18:56 -0500
What a fascinating discussion. I agree that it's difficult to write a cradle-to-grave biography in 32 pages. As an author, I take a thematic approach by trying to find a narrative thread in a person's life that will make a story appealing to an elementary-age child. The theme provides a way to introduce young readers to a historically significant person, but a 6-year old doesn't need to know everything about that person. If the reader comes away with some understanding of why that person was important and an openness to learning more about them in the future, then I've done my job.
One of the challenges I love best about writing for kids is finding ways to express complicated ideas in simple terms. I've had several experiences in my life that have convinced me that topics that might be considered too sophisticated for young children can readily be discussed with them. For example, my daughter was 4 years old when the Berlin wall fell, and I relished the opportunity to explain to her the significance of the event. I also remember my grandmother sharing with me her experience of the 1905 Russian Revolution. She was 5 years old at the time, and what she remembered was rushing through the streets of Warsaw with her father. It was very cold, and he held her hand in his pocket to keep it warm. That's all she remembered--not the violence and chaos, but an experience of being kept warm and protected by a loving parent.
As for a child reacting with tears or sadness to something in a book, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing, as long as an adult is there to help the child process her feelings. Children are well aware that sad, bad things happen in life, and it's our job as adults to support them as they learn to respond to those events. That said, if I were writing about Martin Luther King, Jr., or President Kennedy for early elementary readers, I probably wouldn't include the assassinations except in an author's note. Otherwise, the manner of death would become the focus of the story, and that's not the most important thing to teach kids about King and Kennedy.
Susanna Reich Children's Book Author www.susannareich.com
Coming in Spring 2012: Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat (Abrams) Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Clarion) Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster) Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso (Clarion)
Received on Sun 27 Nov 2011 12:18:56 PM CST
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:18:56 -0500
What a fascinating discussion. I agree that it's difficult to write a cradle-to-grave biography in 32 pages. As an author, I take a thematic approach by trying to find a narrative thread in a person's life that will make a story appealing to an elementary-age child. The theme provides a way to introduce young readers to a historically significant person, but a 6-year old doesn't need to know everything about that person. If the reader comes away with some understanding of why that person was important and an openness to learning more about them in the future, then I've done my job.
One of the challenges I love best about writing for kids is finding ways to express complicated ideas in simple terms. I've had several experiences in my life that have convinced me that topics that might be considered too sophisticated for young children can readily be discussed with them. For example, my daughter was 4 years old when the Berlin wall fell, and I relished the opportunity to explain to her the significance of the event. I also remember my grandmother sharing with me her experience of the 1905 Russian Revolution. She was 5 years old at the time, and what she remembered was rushing through the streets of Warsaw with her father. It was very cold, and he held her hand in his pocket to keep it warm. That's all she remembered--not the violence and chaos, but an experience of being kept warm and protected by a loving parent.
As for a child reacting with tears or sadness to something in a book, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing, as long as an adult is there to help the child process her feelings. Children are well aware that sad, bad things happen in life, and it's our job as adults to support them as they learn to respond to those events. That said, if I were writing about Martin Luther King, Jr., or President Kennedy for early elementary readers, I probably wouldn't include the assassinations except in an author's note. Otherwise, the manner of death would become the focus of the story, and that's not the most important thing to teach kids about King and Kennedy.
Susanna Reich Children's Book Author www.susannareich.com
Coming in Spring 2012: Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat (Abrams) Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Clarion) Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster) Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso (Clarion)
Received on Sun 27 Nov 2011 12:18:56 PM CST
