[Zixi]

I always loved cumulative tales and now I have written one. Problem is I have no clue where to send it for publishing consideration. Anyone have any suggestions?
 

[carrots Posts: 551 Status: Offline]

Oh, Zixi, my green-ness is showing.   What is a cumulative tale?  I guess this will be the new thing I learn today...

[shelly]

A cumulative tale is a story that repeats and builds on itself, thus accumulating. An example would be THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. (http://www.amherst.edu/~rjyanco94/literature/mothergoose/rhymes/thisisthehousethatjackbuilt.html)

[carrots Posts: 551 Status: Offline]

Oh, thank you, Shelly! 

Hmm, Zixi, I don't know enough about your story to be too helpful, but - depending upon the nature of the piece - you might target publishers that handle fairy tales.   If you go to Amazon.com or Jacketflap.com, you can conduct a preliminary search.  Better yet, there is a fine index in the CWIM.

Happy researching.  Call me nutty, but that's one of my favorite parts of this whole process!

[dianebailey]

Happy researching.  Call me nutty, but that's one of my favorite parts of this whole process!

Nutty. Nutty. Nutty.

As for the question, I'm not sure a story like this will either posess or lack appeal based on its structure (the cumulativity. cumulativeness? cumulativation?) I think you would just look for PB publishers that are open to the story's theme, humor, etc.

[Zixi]

Thanks everyone.

I researched all over the web and no one specifically says they handle cumulative tales, although every major publisher has at least one to their credit. I think PB is the way to go.

[carrots Posts: 551 Status: Offline]

I completely agree with you and Diane.  I only mentioned the fairy tale angle because Shelly's example of The House That Jack Built brought that genre to mind.  The good news is there are countless pb publishers and I can't think of any that wouldn't love a well-written, humorous piece!  Stock up on envelopes and forever stamps, Zixi - this story can go LOTS of places!

[shelly]

As for the question, I'm not sure a story like this will either posess or lack appeal based on its structure (the cumulativity. cumulativeness? cumulativation?) I think you would just look for PB publishers that are open to the story's theme, humor, etc.

I agree with Diane on this.

[DellaRF Posts: 1,594 Status: Offline website: www.DellaRossFereri.com Twitter: @DellaRF WWW]

Another picture book to look at is Dawdle Duckling by Tony Buzzeo. (Dial) It tells a fun story and each scene builds on the other in a a cumulative way. 
I'll try to think of others.

~Della

[Woobie Posts: 42 Status: Offline Sylvan Dell June 2007]

Jennifer Ward has written/published a few cumulative PBs. Her publishers look for more specific PB themes (nature and Southwest) vs cumulative. Check out her stuff. I agree w/the others to target based on the content vs the cumulative aspect.

[carlynnw]

You might try Barefoot Books...I don't know if they've published cumulative stories, but I wouldn't be surprised, since they specialize in fairy and folk tales.  Good luck!

[cyn2write]

Like Audrey Wood's THE NAPPING HOUSE?  I don't write PBs but this one is forever engrained in my mind since I just read it to my daughter 400 times last nite.

[jeanne k]

I love Barefoot Books. Their illustrations are always so terrific.

I agree that most publishers would love a well-written (which I'm sure yours is) cumulative story. In fact, it might be better to look for a publisher that hasn't put one out lately.

Jeanne

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,903 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

I know Uri Schulevitz has one, but I can't remember the title. I don't know if it's still in print (couldn't find it on amazon or Powells) but the library might have it. Also, there's one my mom (former librarian) swears by: Fortunately by Remy Charlip, as one that kids always love. And as a librarian, she said cumulative books were always good choices.

As for where to send it, I think Diane is right:

I think you would just look for PB publishers that are open to the story's theme, humor, etc.

Good luck!

[DellaRF Posts: 1,594 Status: Offline website: www.DellaRossFereri.com Twitter: @DellaRF WWW]

I just thought of another one: The Bridge Is Up by Babs Bell. My 3 yo loves it!

[TnTexas]

In Enzo's Beautiful Garden by Patricia Polacco is another one.

[Jean Reidy Posts: 723 Status: Offline I love kids' books!! WWW]

I just sold a cumulative story in verse to Hyperion. They may only accept agented submissions, but you can check them out.
Jean