Comments on: The Sign on Sendak’s Door http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/opinion/editorials/the-sign-on-sendaks-door/ Publications about books for children and young adults Tue, 14 May 2013 17:58:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Horn Book Magazine -- November/December 2011 — The Horn Book http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/opinion/editorials/the-sign-on-sendaks-door/#comment-16598 Horn Book Magazine -- November/December 2011 — The Horn Book Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:53:22 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=6303#comment-16598 [...] The Sign on Sendak’s Door A proclamation to get [...] [...] The Sign on Sendak’s Door A proclamation to get [...]

]]> By: Roundup of Children’s Literacy and Reading News – Mid November | Book(re)Marks http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/opinion/editorials/the-sign-on-sendaks-door/#comment-14494 Roundup of Children’s Literacy and Reading News – Mid November | Book(re)Marks Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:20:12 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=6303#comment-14494 [...] and books. (Via the print magazine, link shared by @ImaginationSoup on Twitter). Also do check out Roger Sutton’s editorial about the Picture Book Proclamation that was included in the recent Horn Book issue. Food for [...] [...] and books. (Via the print magazine, link shared by @ImaginationSoup on Twitter). Also do check out Roger Sutton’s editorial about the Picture Book Proclamation that was included in the recent Horn Book issue. Food for [...]

]]> By: Rasco From RIF » Roundup of Children’s Literacy and Reading News – Mid-November http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/opinion/editorials/the-sign-on-sendaks-door/#comment-12504 Rasco From RIF » Roundup of Children’s Literacy and Reading News – Mid-November Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:40:51 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=6303#comment-12504 [...] and books. (Via the print magazine, link shared by @ImaginationSoup on Twitter). Also do check out Roger Sutton's editorial about the Picture Book Proclamation that was included in the recent Horn Book issue. Food for [...] [...] and books. (Via the print magazine, link shared by @ImaginationSoup on Twitter). Also do check out Roger Sutton's editorial about the Picture Book Proclamation that was included in the recent Horn Book issue. Food for [...]

]]> By: Linda Crotta Brennan http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/opinion/editorials/the-sign-on-sendaks-door/#comment-12308 Linda Crotta Brennan Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:02:42 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=6303#comment-12308 I wonder if part of the problem is the demise of the picture story book. When I started in this business twenty plus years ago, the average length of a picture book was 1200 words. And it was common to have picture books of over 1500 words. But current editorial wisdom says that families with two working parents are too busy to read such lengthy books. The cut-off for picture book manuscripts keeps getting shorter and shorter. Jennifer Laughran, agent at Andrea Brown Literary recently wrote on her blog that 300-550 words is the “sweet spot” for picture books. She advises her clients not to submit books over 800 words. Now talented writers have been able to create incredible works of art within these tight constraints. But some stories need more elbow room. And while 300-550 word stories may be fine for the three year old, many that are being published today don’t have the depth to hold up to hundreds of readings by a five or six year old. I imagine parents in these tough economic times flipping through a book with a dozen words per page and wondering if it’s worth $16.99. Perhaps it’s time to bring back the picture story book. In a culture that is so visually oriented, wouldn’t it be wonderful to create longer, richer texts with luxurious illustrations that can bridge the gap between the short picture book and the chapter book. As for those busy parents, surely if they have time to read a chapter to their preschoolers, they’ll find time to read a 1200 word picture story book. I wonder if part of the problem is the demise of the picture story book. When I started in this business twenty plus years ago, the average length of a picture book was 1200 words. And it was common to have picture books of over 1500 words. But current editorial wisdom says that families with two working parents are too busy to read such lengthy books. The cut-off for picture book manuscripts keeps getting shorter and shorter. Jennifer Laughran, agent at Andrea Brown Literary recently wrote on her blog that 300-550 words is the “sweet spot” for picture books. She advises her clients not to submit books over 800 words.

Now talented writers have been able to create incredible works of art within these tight constraints. But some stories need more elbow room. And while 300-550 word stories may be fine for the three year old, many that are being published today don’t have the depth to hold up to hundreds of readings by a five or six year old. I imagine parents in these tough economic times flipping through a book with a dozen words per page and wondering if it’s worth $16.99.

Perhaps it’s time to bring back the picture story book. In a culture that is so visually oriented, wouldn’t it be wonderful to create longer, richer texts with luxurious illustrations that can bridge the gap between the short picture book and the chapter book. As for those busy parents, surely if they have time to read a chapter to their preschoolers, they’ll find time to read a 1200 word picture story book.

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