[LaurenN0227 Posts: 17 Status: Offline #amwriting]

Any thoughts on using technology terms in Picture Books and/or how vague you need to make them? For example, I have a line in a draft I'm working on where I WANT to say the main character "went home every day and googled how to --" but I currently have in my draft that she "went home every day and searched online for how to --". On the one hand, you don't want to use tech terms that may go out of style, but then on the other hand, you don't want to sound archaic either - so I'd love any input folks have on this!

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Great question, and good to see computers, etc. making it into PB manuscripts, because they are such an intrinsic part of most children's worlds these days IMHO.  I have been shopping a ms too that is not about tech, but which incorporates it (no takers so far, but lots of positive feedback). I don't know the answer to your question (is there a definitive one?) but for me, I would either say "searched on line" or merely "searched", with the "on line" part being shown in the illustration (i.e., laptop, tablet, or phone appearing in pic).
Best of luck.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,004 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Picture book aged kids are not as likely to go online by themselves. Illustrations might cover this, but I'm throwing it out there as something for you to think about.

I'd be careful about mentioning trademarked names in a PB.

That said, many kids in this age group have their own tablets or phones for games or reading.

In your place, I'd go with searched and leave the details to the illustrator and publisher unless the searching absolutely has to be online for a story purpose. Maybe an encyclopedia will do. Maybe there are other ways to search.

[Shelly Posts: 138 Status: Offline]

I agree with leaving it at "searched". Or maybe "searched for information about..." The illustrations can show the details.