Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
The Black Rabbit
Written and Illustrated by Philippa Leathers
Candlewick Press, 2013
Suitable for: ages 3-7
Themes: shadows, fear
Opening Lines: RABBIT WOK UP ONE MORNING and stepped out of his burrow into the bright sunlight. It was a beautiful day. (Yep, those caps are in the book.)
Synopsis: Rabbit discovers a black rabbit behind him. He tries to run away , but he can’t seem to get rid of the black rabbit. In the dark woods, he escapes the black rabbit and discovers another danger.
Link to Resources: Go outside and look at how your shadow follows you. Try to outrun it. See how your shadow disappears at different times of the day and in different places. You can also draw a chalk outline of your shadow, but you must stand still! Lesson plans on shadows.
Why I Like The Book: Philippa Leathers takes a fun approach to shadows. Enzo laughed at the images of the rabbit trying to outrun the black rabbit. There’s a funny chase scene. Simple and cute.
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI conference was wonderful. I met some online writer friends in person and met some industry professionals.
RMC-SCBWI events always provide an opportunity to spend time with Julie Rowan-Zoch, who had the three board books she illustrated for sale in the conference bookstore. Enzo gives her books a thumbs up!
Salina Yoon’s workshops were my favorite. I needed to hear the tips about story, process, and the business side of writing picture books. I love novelty and concept books, so it was wonderful to learn about her creation and marketing process for these books. Bonus: She read us Tap to Play!, which releases in October.
Avi was the keynote speaker. While he said he didn’t intend to be inspirational, he was. He shared many thoughts and a few jokes about writing. What’s the difference between a writer and a 14-inch pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four! Ouch, right?
A few of the presenters at this conference spoke about the limited market for rhyming and ABC books. A couple of people mentioned rhyming manuscripts cannot sell outside the U.S. due to translation issues, as well as market preferences in the U.K. They are also tricky to translate. ABC books were also mentioned as being limited to a U.S. market.
Post-conference I am working on revisions. I received helpful feedback in an editor’s critique and in a picture book intensive with the same editor and 14 (I think) other writers, who shared their thoughts after a quick reading of stories. Fresh eyes are always priceless.
Hope your writing is going well this week.
Find more PPBF at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Looks like a super fun book AND a great time at that conference. Thanks! I am adding this shadow story to my ever-growing wish list!
My wish list this week is very long!
I love this silly rabbit book!!! Looks like everyone had a fun time at your conference!
It’s a fun rabbit book. Yes. Conferences are always a lot of fun, but so much work … following all those great workshops!
I love having a “virtual” conference experience through your post!
Hope Enzo has fun running around outside, trying to catch his shadow!
I am glad you were virtually along for the ride Cathy! The other day he was disturbed that his head was “in the road” as we walked on the sidewalk. We practice moving away from the street, which made me feel better.
Another great silly book! And I love seeing all your conference photos, cutie. :))
Another great one mentioned at WOW Wendy.
Hahahahaha I LOVE seeing me with you. I can’t believe you did this. We had a great time at the conference. It was so much fun seeing everyone. And didn’t Sus look good? *wink* And being in that ultra cool bag is much better than that drawer in your desk. The drawer is cozy. And STUFFY! 😉
Gotta have that book! It sounds so funny. No way it will be at my library so I’m going to buy it on Amazon. Love picture books like this.
I heart you for ALWAYS cheering me up. xoxoxoxo
Really you should be released from the desk more than once a year. I wish your library had the book. I am finding some new releases through the digital Overdrive catalog. It took me 9 months to get one book digital!
Clever idea for a book. Love the idea of children discovering their shadows.
Glad you had such a fantastic time at the SCBWI conference. Loved your photo journey and seeing some other friends. You have a great group in Colorado.
I believe we have a good group here in Colorado. It’s always fun to see Julie Ro-Zo and meet some new online friends in person.
Great hearing about the fun you had at the conference. Ours is in October and I can’t wait. I Just jotted a little thing on it on my post today.
We just got the proofs back on Edmund Pickle Chin, AGAIN, and there were more errors that need to be fixed. After waiting all this time we want it right so sent it back with corrections. Now for another wait.
Th is Rabbit book sounds priceless and I have it on hold at our library. 🙂
Have fun at your conference Clara. Sorry about the errors on your proof of your book, but so GLAD you found them. It’s worth the wait to get it right.
Sweet pics and I can’t think of another shadow picture book offhand. Fun!
Too funny you mention not thinking of another shadow book. I found one on Thursday night during a quick run through the children’s section Shadow Chasers by Elly MacKay. The illustration style is completely different (really beautiful) and a different take on a child’s interaction with shadows.
I think I’ve heard of this. It looks so clever. I’ll add it to my library bag. Thanks.
Hope you find this book. It’s a fun one. Very clever.
Ouch! is right. I don’t think writers will stop rhyming, but I’m sorry to hear that the market is so limited. I’ve got one I’m putting the finishing touches on right now. Can’t wait to hear this from everyone else—until I get a “yes”! Yours in optimism, Jilanne
I don’t rhyme, but I know a lot of writers who do it well. I don’t recall hearing the market side of rhyming before just the “don’t do it unless you do it well comment.” Good luk with your finishing touches!
Thanks, Stacy! I think the one I’ll be sending out came together really well. Stay tuned!
I forgot to say that “The Black Rabbit” sounds like fun! Thanks for highlighting!
I have to say that I did notice a few ABC books at our local library. Mmm… I do love the shadow book, I think that is priceless and I can just see kids wondering at their own shadows. Glad you had such an awesome time at the conference, Stacy. Always nice to see photos, makes us feel as though we’re there. :).
I wish there was a conference where we could all meet in person Diane.
Looks like a very fun book, Stacy, thanks so much for sharing! And I’m so glad you had such a great time at the conference! It sounds like it was terrific!
YOU ARE AWESOME, STACY! And I love that we appreciate soooo many of the same books! I ADORE this one! Thanks for being my favorite roomie!
When we talked about this one, I feared it was on the list (or maybe hasn’t been updated). It’s a cute one! Next year rookie … or sooner!
Awesome! I like your “traveling buddies”! 😀 Great post! 😀
I’ve read this book and it is really cute. I love the illustrations!
How fun to see your photos of the conference. Thanks for posting them!
I should have taken you with Robyn and gang on a stick!I’ll see you at another conference one day Penny!
What a great book, Stacy! I remember playing with my shadow when I was little…and being a bit scared. 🙂 Why didn’t one of us write this clever, simple pb? 🙂
Thanks also for the peek inside the SCBWI conference in Denver…sounds like you got a lot out of it.
We’ve been checking our shadows a lot lately. Thankfully, the Colorado Sun helps us play those games. I really loved the conference. It was fun.
I just found a great companion book! All Yeti wants to do after a long day in the woods is to close his eyes and go to sleep. But something is not right! Shadows lurk, sounds creak, and there are monsters…or are there? This entertaining bedtime book featuring the fierce and frenetic GAMAGO Yeti will amuse and delight kids, all while encouraging them to turn out the light and go to sleep!
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/yeti-turn-out-the-light.html
Oh, I’ll have to check that one out. Thanks for sharing it Cathy!