[ashleigh-dillow Posts: 16 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi all,
I am working on an interactive-ish picture book and I can't find a lot of information on how to format it so that it is conveyed correctly by publishers. Basically, the main character asks the reader to do a series of things in order to help him accomplish his goal. Any suggestions or places I can look to find information are greatly appreciated! I couldn't find a specific topic that fit my question, but maybe I overlooked something. Thanks in advance.

Ashleigh Dillow

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,003 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Ashleigh, this might get more responses in the Picture Books or Querying section. Let us know if you'd like the thread moved to one of those areas of the boards by hitting report to a moderator within your post and on of us will move it for you.

There are actually a number of books that speak directly to the reader from the classic There's a Monster at the End of This Book to more modern books like The Book with No Pictures. Are these the sort of books you're looking for?

[ashleigh-dillow Posts: 16 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Debbie,
Thank you for the quick response. Yes, those are the types of books I have in mind when I think of the format of my book. It’s in the very early stages (and not the Yeti one I posted yesterday), but the tone of the book is going in this direction. Thanks!

[karen-b-jones Posts: 279 Status: Offline Will draw for money! WWW]

Are you thinking of something like a choose-your-own-adventure book? 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,168 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Are you thinking of a novelty book (lift-the-flap, turn the knob, etc.) for the outcome? Are there alternative stories?
I think if you are going to format something like this, I could make it very clear by saying Choose A, B, C and then have those point to the page. You can also create a dummy to go along with your ms, so that publishers can *see* what's in your head. Check out some of Salina Yoon's novelty books. Good luck!

[ashleigh-dillow Posts: 16 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi!
I am actually thinking more along the lines of The Monster at the End of the Book, so maybe I should have said books told in 2nd pov, rather than interactive books.
Basically, my main character interacts with the reader. He needs help solving a problem and asks the reader to do a series of things (show his muscles, tilt the book, wave, etc. ) in order to help him. I am still trying to work through the formatting. I just want to make sure the language and tone are engaging. 

Thanks!

Ashleigh

[Vijaya Posts: 7,168 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Oh, I see! Lots of nonfiction is written in the second person and there's no special need to format because the text is speaking directly to the child.

[ashleigh-dillow Posts: 16 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you! The more I have been working with the story, I am starting to see that now. I have just never written a pb in 2nd pov and when I had originally posted, I was still unsure of what direction I was leaning toward (2nd pov, lift the flap). I appreciate you responding!

Ashleigh

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,003 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I agree, no special formatting should be necessary. You may need an illustration note or two, but that depends on how well the text clarifies what the story needs.