Quiz #1: How Many Orphans from Literature do you know?

The Nonesuch Orphans: Quiz #1: Literary Orphans: See if you can identify these literary orphans: 1. She accidentally dyed her hair green, and broke a slate over a boy's head for calli...

Children's Book Writers - Don't Make These Top 5 Query Mistakes

Ready to submit your children's story to an agent or publisher?  Don't make these common mistakes:

1. Mentioning that you read the book to your children (grandchildren, nieces/nephews, students, neighbour's children, etc.) and they loved the book.

They may have loved you reading them the book (or just told you the answer they could tell you wanted to hear), but that doesn't mean the book is publishable.

Advice: If you are an elementary schoolteacher or have other relevant experience with children, mention this briefly in your bio.

2.  Claiming your book will be the next "Harry Potter" or other outrageous comparisons to bestselling books.

This is a sure-fire way to end up in the slush pile.  It tells the editor/agent that you have very little understanding of how publishing works and have likely only read that one book.

Advice: Write something unique and make comparisons sparingly, preferably to books published by that publisher.  

3.  Not researching the agent/publisher and not following their guidelines.

Don't think your manuscript is so special you don't have to follow the guidelines, especially the ones that say they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts.

For example, if they don't accept email submissions, send it by mail like everyone else.  Also, many publishers will state they don't publish picture books - don't waste your time sending your picture book manuscript to such a publisher.

Advice:  Carefully read and follow the agent's/publisher's most recent guidelines, which you should be able to find on their website.  Preliminary research can be done using market books such as the 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.  Also read books the publisher recently published - would your book fit in with their list?

Bonus tip:  Write concisely and to the point.  If your query is more than one page, it is too long.

4.  Saying your book will "appeal to children of all ages."

This is impossible, and will make the editor/agent suspect that in fact your book will not appeal to anyone.

Advice:  Have a particular age range in mind when you are writing the book and write the book accordingly (i.e. reading level, subject matter, length etc.).  Read at least 20 books in the same genre aimed at this age range.  Mention the age range and genre of your book in the query letter.

5. Making spelling and grammar errors in your query letter (and your manuscript).

This is a common pet peeve of editors and agents.

Advice:  Don't just rely on Spellcheck to catch your errors. Brush up on your grammar by reading books such as The Elements of Style and have many trusted people review your query letter.

Bonus tip: read sample query letters online and read advice found in books (e.g. 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market).  There are even books dedicated to query letters that may be worth the investment if they help get you out of the slush pile.

Summer Book Pick for Kids: Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt

Title:Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
Author: Melanie Watt
Age range: 4 to 8
Rating: 4 out of 5 roasted marshmallows

Scaredy Squirrel would rather watch a TV show about camping from the safety of his home than risk the dangers of actually being outdoors.  But then he realizes, he'll have to brave the great outdoors to reach the electrical outlet at the nearby campground.

Although it is a picture book, it will still appeal to 8 or 9 year olds who are reluctant readers (and adults too!).

What kids will love:

• the zany maps, lists and diagrams (e.g. Scaredy Squirrel's wilderness outfit)
• the humour, such as when things don't go according to Scaredy Squirrel's plan

Other great books by Melanie Watt:

R. L. Stine's Goosebumps Most Wanted: Reluctant Readers are Dying to Read Them!

Series: Goosebumps Most Wanted

Author: R. L. Stine
Ages:  9 to 12*

Rating:  4 out of 5 nightmares

*Warning: R. L. Stine's books are not for younger or sensitive children.  Not only are they scary, but they rarely have happy endings.  If your child is interested in Goosebump books, try reading a few yourself before deciding whether your child is ready to read them.     

What kid's will love about Goosebumps Most Wanted books:

• the escalating creepy (and sometimes gross) situations 
• the main characters they can quickly relate to
• the twist endings
• for fans of the Classic Goosebumps series, another chance to encounter their favourite villains

Click on the images for more info:

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Fun at the Beach! 5 Summer Books for Little Kids

What books for toddlers do you recommend for summer?  Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach



2 .Daniel's Day at the Beach (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood)



3. Baby Loves Summer!: A Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Book 




4. Duck & Goose Go to the Beach



5. Mouse's First Summer (Classic Board Books)

Top 5 Free eBooks for Middle Grade Kids!

Have you and/or your child read any of these free ebooks?  If so, which one(s) do you recommend for reluctant readers?

Click on the images for more information about each book.

Before Rick Riordan's 39 Clues was Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game

Title: The Westing Game (Puffin Modern Classics)
Author:Ellen Raskin
Ages: 8 and up
Rating: 4 out of 5 shin kicks

The Westing Game was first published in 1978, but its intriguing plot and quirky characters will still appeal to today's middle grade readers.

In the book, Sam Westing is an eccentric millionaire whose will contains a challenge for his sixteen heirs.  Whoever solves the mystery will inherit his fortune.

What kids will love:

• trying to unravel the mystery 
• the funny characters
• the constant action

What parents will love:

• unlike Rick Riordan's The 39 Clues series, there are no products being promoted (i.e. Clues Card Packs)
• sharing a timeless classic with their kids

Top 5 Tips for writing for reluctant readers

Interested in writing a children's book for reluctant readers? Improve your chance if success by following these tips:

1.  Choose a high-interest subject. For example, dragons or robots, or even better, robotic dinosaurs.

2.  Keep the plot moving.  Descriptions and details should be kept to a minimum, and should generally tie to the plot.

3.  Know the age level of your target audience and use tools available in Word (or other software) to ensure the reading level of your story is a step below the average reader.

4.  This is true for any writing, but don't be patronizing or preachy.  Be entertaining instead, and while there can be a moral to the story, it should not be blatant.

5.  Less is more.  Keep sentences, paragraphs, chapters and the book itself short.

Book Review for Parents: Alice Hoffman's Nightbird Soars

Title: Nightbird
Author: Alice Hoffman
Age: 10 and up
Rating: 4 pairs of wings

Alice Hoffman's  first novel for middle-grade readers  will appeal to children who enjoy magic and mystery, and more sophisticated fairy tales.  

Nightbird tells the coming-of-age story of a girl named Twig, who lives in a town called Sidwell that has its very own monster.  Twig's family has a secret she must hide, that all started with a curse a witch placed on her family 200 years ago.

This story has a dream-like quality, and may not have enough action for reluctant readers, so I would recommend reading a chapter a night with your child if you think this book may appeal to them.

You might find the story a bit predictable at times, but overall it is a satisfying read for young and old alike who enjoy fairy tales.

Click on the image for more info:



For book-loving moms and dads I'd recommend Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things.

A Zombie Invasion That Won't Leave Your Child Brainless: Plants vs. Zombies Timepocalypse

Title: Plants vs Zombies: Timepocalypse
Author: Paul Tobin
Ages: 8 to 12
Rating: According to my 8-year old reluctant reader, "This book is actually good!" 

Encourage your child to take a break from playing the highly addictive Plants vs. Zombies game and read a graphic novel inspired by the game instead. 

What kids will love:

• the zaniness
• the non-stop action
• the engaging illustrations
• the snappy dialogue
• looking forward to the next graphic novel in the series

Your child might also enjoy Plants vs. Zombies: Lawnmageddon.  Click on the pic for more details.