MOWMT: Many Ways to Serve Up a Story with Lynne Marie
March 21, 2025
As many of you know, I've read 50 - 100 books of related subject matter for many of my previously published books in my quest to write a story that's universal, but fresh and new, and get them published. And since that seems to be my recipe for success, how could I not continue to rely up it!
This time, I'm working on a potential sequel to one of my previously published books (Yes! One that relied on 100 Mentor Texts in its evolution). That means -- lots of library requests and book buys as I grow my list of texts for the sequel.
This particular story ties into a holiday where there are specific ways to celebrate that need to be incorporated. Although some of the details don't change, there are still so many variations to be found. Looking at these different stories made me realize: There's more than one way to tell a story -- even the same story! So whether you celebrate Dia de Muertos / All Soul's Day or not, be sure to read and see how different focuses on a sought-after subject can make a story that's essential each year, yet fresh and new!
First up, one of my absolute favorite books on the topic!
Abuelita's Gift: A Dia de Muertos Story by Mariana Rios Ramirez with Art by Sara Palacios (Alfred A. Knopf, 2024)
Amazon Blurb: Julieta is eager to honor her Abuelita's spirit on Día de Muertos, but struggles to find the perfect gift. A touching story that celebrates ancestors and teaches that the most meaningful tributes come from the heart illustrated by award-winning Sara Palacios.
What stood out the most for me with this one (besides the wonderful writing and art) was the heart and personality of the main character. She tried many times to create a gift to leave for Abuelita on the ofrenda, and did not give up. And ultimately, she thought of the very best way to honor her grandmother's memory! Such a sweet book!
Amazon Blurb: Every year on All Souls Day, Mara and her grandparents visit homes in their neighborhood to bring comfort and a song to those mourning the death of a loved one. But this year, Mara and Nene have lost Popi. As Nene leads Mara through their yearly ritual, Mara compares her own grief to that of each neighbor they visit. Then she catches sight of the frozen tears on Nene's face. Setting aside the bitterness icing her heart to help her beloved grandmother, Mara rekindles Popi's song and brings her community together to honor him.
As one can see, this book also deals with November 2nd (as does Dia de Muertos), but from a more European perspective. It also features a departed grandfather, rather than a grandmother, and reveals a different gift than Abuelita's. Shifting these focuses makes for a completely different, yet also sweet and important story.
Amazon: It is Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration! Inspired by the popular nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to join in the building of a colorful ofrenda, a home altar full of symbols and meaning, one special element at a time.
The rhythmic story, with internal rhyme, explores what happens on Dia de Muertos in the similar style of THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. It focuses on the elements of the ofrenda.
Like the others, it weaves in culture and the heart of this celebration. Yet, as we can see, it is much different from the other books.
Amazon: Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion, and the happiness Perro gave him, will always remain.
This narrative focuses on remembering a lost pet and incorporating him into the ofrenda. It incorporates culture and heart, just as the previous books, but yet it is very different in its approach. Such a clever twist that invites us to remember all the departed we've loved.
I'm hoping that sharing these four important books about exactly the same day (Dia de Muertos) will inspire you to approach a needed, marketable topic that may already be out there from a fresh and new angle and achieve the success!
PRIZE: I'm happy to give away two Rate Your Story Speedpass to two winners, and a 20 Minute AMA Session to two other winners. Please comment for a chance to win one of these prizes. Share which you prefer and why.
About the Author:
Lynne Marie is the award-winning author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten -- art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School -- art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling / Scholastic 2019) and Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World -- art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019), The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project and The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project Coloring Book -- art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press 2022), The Palace Rat -- art by Eva Santana (Yeehoo Press 2023), BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle (an Anna Dewdney Read-Together Finalist 2025) co-written with Brenda Reeves Sturgis – art by Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press 2024) and Henny Penny’s Weather Worries and more, forthcoming.
She’s an Editor at The Little Press, the Director of RateYourStory.org, a Mentor at ThePictureBookMechanic.com, the Creator of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk, a Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com) and a Feature Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (https://writeforkids.online/).
When she’s not traveling the world in search of story ideas, she lives in her hometown with her high school sweetheart, a Schipperke named Anakin and a Mini Pinscher named Marlowe Charlotte. Visit her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.
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LYNNE MARIE: THANK YOU for sharing these WONDERFUL mentor texts to show us there TRULY are UNLIMITED ways to tell a similar story. We just need to find our own UNIQUE way to do so. THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION!
mmmmmm… mix it up, twist it a bit. Same thoughts different story. Thanks Lynne Marie for being the great mentor that you are.
This post really made me think, particularly about one of my ideas that has been languishing. Now I know what I've been missing. More mentor texts! I'd love to win an AMA session because any time with you is so inspiring!
Our work is never done when it comes to mentor texts, especially when we are trying to set out stories apart from others. Thanks for these great examples!
This was an inspiring post about such a meaningful holiday. I enjoyed seeing the variety of texts and the ways that they were presented from each author's unique perspective. Often we have the wind taken out of our sails when we find our latest "new" story idea has already been done. But these books prove the same story can be retold- it just needs a new voice and a novel approach. I follow on your blog, FB and Twitter/X.