GENRE: Humor, STEM/STEAM
WORDS: 550
Query:
Dear PBParty Judges, Agents, and Editors,
Jeff has one dream: to become the most legendary, sword-swinging, dragon-slaying, picture book knight in history. Unfortunately, he lives in the land of Haphazard Homophones, where wayward words cause all manner of muddles and mishaps. When his fantasy turns to farce, Jeff insists his tale be retold in the land of Strict Spelling. But can he still turn heads (and pages) in a world that’s less wild and whimsical?
A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER is a 550-word humorous picture book aimed at children ages 4 to 8. It carries the same playful and mischievous humor as Omar Abed’s THE BOOK THAT ALMOST RHYMED and Brad Montague’s THE FANTASTIC BUREAU OF IMAGINATION, where the reader is taken on a journey of inventiveness and imagination. Like these books, the reader uncovers the unexpected with the turn of each page.
I created this manuscript to show that the choice of words in our writing can have just as much impact (and fun!) as the illustrations. As a teacher, I’ve seen my students light up when picture books deliver unexpected, unpredictable lines. I believe this makes reading more enjoyable and engaging for children as they develop a love for stories. I have a passion for funny books and aim to infuse humor into my writing to inspire a love of reading in children.
My love of crafting children’s stories stems from my career as an elementary teacher, and as a content writer of teaching resources. I was a finalist in PB Party 2022 and am a member of both CANSCAIP (attending monthly meetings) and SCBWI. I also hold a diploma in Creative Writing and studied picture book writing at the University of Toronto.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Excerpt:
From the first day he was drawn, Jeff dreamed of being a knight.
He longed to be an illustrated idol of awesome adventures.
Unfortunately, Jeff lived in the land of Haphazard Homophones.
A place where wayward words caused all manner of storybook muddles and mishaps.
[The Princess and the Pee – Princess: It wasn’t me!]
[We’re Going on a Bare Hunt – Park Ranger: You can all stop right there!]
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
My love of wordplay and the creativity it sparks inspired me to write this story. As a teacher and content writer for educational resources, I believe that while structure is important, we sometimes keep learners too confined within the rules of writing. Instead, we should encourage them to explore, experiment, and play with language. Hopefully, this story captures some of the fun that comes with that freedom.
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