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Book: A Git for Mama Author: Linda Ravin Lodding
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4 to 8
When A Gift for Mama arrived, my daughter took one look at the cover and said: "We have another book about that boy." She wasn't strictly correct, but she did recognize that the boy on the cover of this book looks a lot like the boy from The Cloud Spinner, by Michael Catchpool. Both books are illustrated by Alison Jay, and she has a very distinctive illustration style. This works well, because of the tone of the two stories is similar.
In A Gift for Mama, a young boy in old-time Vienna buys a gorgeous yellow rose as a gift for his mother's birthday. Oskar thinks that the flower is "the perfect present" until an artist offers to trade a paint brush for the flower. Oskar decides that if he paints a picture for his Mama, that will be "the perfect present." But then a conductor needs the paintbrush as a temporary baton, and offers Oskar something else in return. And so on. Oskar's mood fluctuates as these trade keep occurring, some without his consent at all, but his innate optimism keeps him thinking that each thing is "the perfect present."
An author's note at the end of the book gives brief historical context to the Viennese figures that Oskar has encountered, including the Empress Sisi and the artist Gustav Klimt. Understanding who these figures are transforms Oskar's story into a tour of Vienna in 1894. This information isn't really necessary to appreciate the book, but it does add another layer.
In truth, my almost four year old was a bit baffled by this book, asking "Why does everyone keep taking the boy's things?". But this didn't stop her from wanting to read it again. Oskar is an appealing character, with his up and down moods, and his clear love for his mother. There's a scene in which Oskar experiences a particular disappointment, and my daughter could absolutely relate to his hunched posture (exactly the same way she hunches over sometimes when things don't go her way).
Lodding's text is full of exclamations and drama, and uses relatively advanced vocabulary. Like this:
"With a tug on the reins, the carriage lurched to a roll.
"Mama's book!" cried Oskar. "It's ruined."
But as Oskar looked up, there was the Empress herself!
She held out a box. "Candied violets," she said kindly. "To say sorry for your book.""
Oskar bower. "Thank you Your Highness!"
The dainty, delicious sweets were the perfect gift for Mama!"
Here Oskar's words as he declares the book ruined, as well as "the perfect gift for Mama" are in slightly larger text, encouraging the adult reader to emphasize those sections. I like books that give cues like this for read-aloud.
But what I love are Jay's sepia-toned illustrations. They have faint jigsaw lines across each image, like one would see on a very old painting. The people are a bit rounded, wide in their waists, and the use of perspective emphasizes Oskar's powerlessness as the large (and famous) adults manipulate him.
A Gift for Mama is going on our "keep" shelf. Next to The Cloud Spinner, of course. The conbination of story and pictures leaves readers with a warm feeling. And the fact that there is a bit of historical knowledge hidden in the book adds a special bonus. Recommended for ages four and up for home or library use.
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (@RandomHouseKids)
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher
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As we ease into the final stretch of PiBoIdMo, like you, I have a list of ideas. Some I’ve even started writing. But none of them have endings. (Yet.)
Many of us experience the first flush of excitement when a new idea tickles us until we have to put words down on paper. We have an idea! A character! A setting! Maybe we even have conflict! But, if you’re like me, you hope that by the time you hit the 700 word mark the ending will just write itself. But here’s the problem with endings that just write themselves. They’re usually flat.
And no wonder. A great ending is as difficult to write as an opening sentence. And as important.
Here’s what’s on an ending’s “to do list”:
An ending has to resolve the story problem in a satisfying way (no plot points still hanging);
It has to have the main character solving the conflict by the last page;
It should either be predictable enough to emotionally resonate with the reader or unpredictable enough to delight;
If it’s a humorous picture book it needs to deliver the final punch line;
And, like a fine wine (or peanut butter fluffernutter sandwich), it needs to linger on your reader’s palette long after the meal in consumed.
So let’s think of how we can use page 32 to offer the perfect ending to your story.
Here are some possibilities:
Surprise Ending
Think beyond the obvious ending and offer the reader a surprise – the opposite of what’s expected. It should still be logical, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Emma Dodd does that in “What Pet to Get” as does Cynthia Rylant in “The Old Woman Who Named Things.” Both offer surprise endings but do so in very different ways.
Circular Ending
In my picture book OSKAR’S PERFECT PRESENT (2013), Oskar starts his journey looking for the perfect present for his mother. On the first page, he finds it—a perfect rose! But as Oskar makes subsequent trades along his journey home, he is left without a present. On the last page, however, he is reunited with the same rose he traded away at the start of his journey. Circular endings—or those that somehow mirror the opening—are among my favorite endings since they offer closure in an often clever way.
Fulfillment
Sometimes a last page is simply the climax of the story, the fulfillment of the character’s desire. In “When Marion Sang”, Pam Munoz Ryan’s book about opera singer Marion Andresen, Marion is denied to sing on many American stages because she was African American. The last page of the story reads, “. . .and Marian sang.” In my picture book THE BUSY LIFE OF ERNESTINE BUCKMEISTER, Ernestine is the queen of over-scheduled set, and she just wants to play. In the end, she does just that and the final words, “And sometimes she just played,” underscore that Ernestine is fulfilled.
Wordless
And ending can be wordless, relying on a single-spread illustration to close the story. While the ending is wordless, it still needs to be “written” within the visual. This type of ending can be used effectively in both quiet books and humorous
10 Comments on PiBoIdMo Day 26: Linda Ravin Lodding Knows What To Do At The End, last added: 11/26/2011
For someone who struggled with what to offer, you came up with a very satisfying solution. Thanks so much for the list and examples of different types of perfect endings.
elizabethannewrites said, on 11/26/2011 6:19:00 AM
Oh my, this was good. Thank you for reminding us that crafting a good beginning isn’t “the end” of it.
Linda Lodding said, on 11/26/2011 6:21:00 AM
Thank you Lynn & Linda for your comments! I’ve also learned so much this month for everyone <3
Wendy Greenley said, on 11/26/2011 6:44:00 AM
Linda, you hit the nail on the head for me. The endings are the hardest part! I wonder if perhaps I haven’t worked the form hard enough in this area. Thank you for laying out a road map to follow on rewrite after rewrite, after rewrite…
Catherine Johnson said, on 11/26/2011 6:52:00 AM
Endings are my favorite, I’d like to experiment more with circular endings. Thanks for the inspiration!
Julie said, on 11/26/2011 7:10:00 AM
Endings are so difficult! I always end up revising them more than any other part of my stories. I suppose that’s apropos since a great ending is what makes people want to start from the beginning again and read the story over.
Thanks for a great post!
Linda Lodding said, on 11/26/2011 7:17:00 AM
Thanks Wendy, Catherine & Julie — ends are so difficult, aren’t they? I find it so interesting how playig around with different endings can change the whole story. It’s a real challenge, isn’t it?
Patricia Tilton said, on 11/26/2011 7:25:00 AM
I love endings, but they aren’t always easy. Liked the idea of the circular ending. Thank you for addressing this subject. Very helpful.
Jodi Moore said, on 11/26/2011 7:30:00 AM
I’ve always believed that it’s the ending that makes you want to experience the beginning all over again. Fantastic information and inspiration, Linda…like a fine dessert following the end of a fabulous meal – SWEET! Thanks so much for sharing with us, “sis”! Love & hugs, Jodi
Linda Lodding said, on 11/26/2011 7:33:00 AM
Thanks, Jodi! Funny how we both think of endings in terms of food — LOL!
by Linda Ravin Lodding (Author), Suzanne Beaky (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Flashlight Press (October 1, 2011)
Source: Publisher
Trying to “make every moment count” as her father advises, Ernestine Buckmeister is shepherded to and from her daily tuba, yoga, karate, knitting, sculpting, water ballet and yodeling lessons by her Nanny O’Dear. Linda Ravin Lodding’s amusing send-up to overscheduled children who don’t have time to frolic and just enjoy being kids imparts a very wise lesson disguised as a comic adventure tale. Poor Ernestine’s hectic schedule doesn’t allow for much downtime to play with her friend Hugo, so she tricks Nanny into skipping her tuba lesson to play for one “heavenly” afternoon. They spend it doing all the things they have missed out on like staring at the clouds, playing pretend, building twig forts and making daisy crowns. As a result, Ernestine’s family decides together to redefine “living life to the fullest.” The Buckmeisters bike to work and help Ernestine build a tree house while Nanny O’Dear discovers the joy of flying kites. Suzanne Beaky’s lightheartedly silly illustrations, of Ernestine’s teachers like Pearl Stitchem, Grand Master Hi Ya and Mr. Oompah, make this book even more playful and fun. For a sneak peek at The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, check out this entertaining book trailer.
by Addy Farmer
Featuring Juliet Clare Bell, Linda Ravin Lodding and Julie Fulton
On Notes from the Slushpile, we chronicle the slings and arrows of trying to make a dream come true so we get embarrassingly excited about debut authors. In our new series That’ll Be The Debut, we meet debut authors and get the lowdown on what life is like beyond the Slushpile. Here is the fourth of the series in
10 Comments on That'll be the Debut - fourth of a series - Picture Book Writers, last added: 7/30/2011
Nice interview, Addy! Aww my dream is to have a picture book someday but I never really managed to write something that publishers wanted. You need a certain kind of magic in your writing to get your PB published ... well done, ladies!
Thank you all for such thoughtful and inspiring answers! I love hearing authors talk about process and their paths to publication. Congratulations, everyone! And, Clare, I'm intrigued by this 25 word book.
Rebecca said, on 7/28/2011 8:26:00 AM
Congratulations to all of you, and thanks for sharing your publication stories! And a big thank you to Addy also for a great interview!
Lovely post Addy. It's always fascinating to hear how long it takes most authors deto get to the first published book. I always see that as a hopeful sign! Thank you.<br />Maureen
Thanks for all that fabulous information, ladies. It did stop me writing - but it also inspired and fuelled my thoughts! It's good to hear how normal people actually make the grade. I'll go fetch my stylus and persevere. Thanks, too, to Addy for bothering to interview you all.
Wow, that's so interesting guys! I could never write a picture book, I'm so impressed with anyone who can! Must be very tricky to leave creative room for illustrators, too.
For someone who struggled with what to offer, you came up with a very satisfying solution. Thanks so much for the list and examples of different types of perfect endings.
Oh my, this was good. Thank you for reminding us that crafting a good beginning isn’t “the end” of it.
Thank you Lynn & Linda for your comments! I’ve also learned so much this month for everyone <3
Linda, you hit the nail on the head for me. The endings are the hardest part! I wonder if perhaps I haven’t worked the form hard enough in this area. Thank you for laying out a road map to follow on rewrite after rewrite, after rewrite…
Endings are my favorite, I’d like to experiment more with circular endings. Thanks for the inspiration!
Endings are so difficult! I always end up revising them more than any other part of my stories. I suppose that’s apropos since a great ending is what makes people want to start from the beginning again and read the story over.
Thanks for a great post!
Thanks Wendy, Catherine & Julie — ends are so difficult, aren’t they? I find it so interesting how playig around with different endings can change the whole story. It’s a real challenge, isn’t it?
I love endings, but they aren’t always easy. Liked the idea of the circular ending. Thank you for addressing this subject. Very helpful.
I’ve always believed that it’s the ending that makes you want to experience the beginning all over again. Fantastic information and inspiration, Linda…like a fine dessert following the end of a fabulous meal – SWEET! Thanks so much for sharing with us, “sis”! Love & hugs, Jodi
Thanks, Jodi! Funny how we both think of endings in terms of food — LOL!