GENRE: Humor, SEL, Character Driven
WORDS: 490
Query:
Dear PBParty Judges, Agents and Editors-
Thank you for providing this amazing opportunity.
LOUD GIB is a 490-word picture book that follows an unusually loud bird on his quest to fit in. Similar in theme to “The Loud Librarian,” by Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones, and with character-driven elements similar to “Odd Dog Out,” by Rob Biddulph, LOUD GIB encourages children to celebrate their differences and embrace individuality.
Gib is a unique dove who struggles to find his place among the flock due to his exceptional squawk. Doves woo. Doves coo. Doves don’t “Awk.” Except for Gib. Gib “Awks.” In an attempt to fit in with the other birds, Gib loses his voice, but he soon realizes life is not as fun without his “Awk.” And when a fox threatens the colony, Gib must use his quick wit to re-create his signature sound to save them.
By day, I work in marketing for my family’s cheese company, where I hold the self-designated title of “Quality Control.” At night, I write. When not working, eating cheese, or writing, I enjoy nerf battles with my kids, watching Food Network, and binge-reading at my local library. I recently had a story accepted for an upcoming issue (Sept 2024) in Highlights High Five Magazine. I am a member of the Wisconsin Writer’s Association, Storyteller Academy, and SCBWI.
I hope you enjoy Loud Gib. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Excerpt:
Doves woo. Doves coo.
Doves do not—
“AWWKK!”
Except Gib.
Gib “Awks.”
He “Awks” a lot.
AWK! AWK! AWK!
“Shhhhh,” said the doves. “We are quiet birds.”
“We are quiet when we
peck, peck, peck popcorn along the boardwalk.”
“We are quiet when we
fluff, fluff, fluff our feathers.”
“And we are especially quiet when we
strut, strut, strut our stuff.”
“Because loud noises
[barge horn, “AWNKK” (foreshadowing)]
startle us.”
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
This particular story is special to me because I was a loud kid who quieted myself to fit in. Kids have it tough. They’re discovering who they are while also trying to figure out where they fit in the world. When a child is told they’re “too much” of something, they may make themselves smaller or tuck away the parts of them that are special in an attempt to be like everyone else. Stories are a safe place to discover ourselves, and I hope kids use this story to celebrate their “AWK.”
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