MO Day #25 Laura Roettiger Separates the Layers
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Registration Post Hello March On With Mentor Texts!
By Laura Roettiger
What does an excellent picture book have in common with a slice of cake? They’re both inviting, can be made from a variety of recipes, and they’re perfect for sharing. But what makes me think of cake as I look at mentor texts that are worth a second and third look?
Layers! So many layers!
Three books that I’m highlighting here, each with multiple layers that work
beautifully together are:
Written by Laura Roettiger (me!) and illustrated by Ariel Boroff
Written by S.K. Wenger and illustrated by Jojo Ensslin
Written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Dave Shephard.
And what’s better than cake? A giveaway of all 3 of these delicious picture books, yes a 3 book giveaway from 3 RateYourStory judges!
CHICKEN FRANK, DINOSAUR! takes a favorite subject (dinosaurs) with a hilarious main character working hard to convince his fellow farm animals that he is indeed, a relative to the dinosaur. There are wonderful STEM elements and I love how this fiction picture book combines scientific facts and vocabulary with an engaging story. The comic book format is engaging and helps create page turns. The back matter adds another layer for learning about evolution, DNA, and a glossary of animal groups.
ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON, also fiction with STEAM elements combines a science oriented main character using her creativity and curiosity to create a surprise for her brother’s birthday. The lesson of patience is important for parents and the young scientist as she experiments with light and reflection. The strong family bonds showcasing a loving sibling relationship is mentioned by many reviewers. The back matter about phases of the moon adds an additional layer for readers to understand the science of the changing moon.
JACK HORNER, DINOSAUR HUNTER! is more than a picture book biography. It shares the struggle of a learning disability (dyslexia) and how he overcame it to become a successful paleontologist. The wonderful message of ‘never give up on your dreams’ gave me the chills. The repeated refrain of onomatopoeia “CRUNCH SWOOSH” adds a beautiful element for readers to pause and imagine what Jack heard from his early love of fossils to his later success. The graphic novel format of illustrations paired with text are perfect for this nonfiction picture book. The back matter adds a wonderful final layer of information and inspiration.
So how can you add layers to your writing? Is there a perfect recipe? Look at these and other mentor texts that combine a variety of elements. By using multiple layers, a picture book can appeal to a variety of readers and invite readers to read a book over and over. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these and other mentor texts you’ve used that include layers to tell an engaging story.
BIO: Laura Roettiger is the author of ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON and has enjoyed working with children ever since she was no longer considered a child herself. She was a reading specialist and elementary teacher in Chicago, IL before moving to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she worked in Environmental Education, as a mentor for new teachers at a STEM school, and as a tutor in the adult literacy program: Boulder Reads. She is a judge for Rate Your Story. Her superpower is encouraging curiosity in children and her students, letting them know she believes in them. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @ljrwritenow
Website: LauraRoettigerBooks.com - includes a blog with author interviews, giveaways, and photography
PRIZE: Laura is generously sending the three books featured in this post to one lucky winner!
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