SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board
Writer's Room => Picture Books (PB) => Topic started by: Zixi on March 08, 2008, 06:59 PM
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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?
:bear2
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Oh, Zixi, my green-ness is showing. What is a cumulative tale? I guess this will be the new thing I learn today...
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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)
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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!
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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.
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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. :thanks
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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! :)
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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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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
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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!
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I just thought of another one: The Bridge Is Up by Babs Bell. My 3 yo loves it!
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In Enzo's Beautiful Garden by Patricia Polacco is another one.
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I just sold a cumulative story in verse to Hyperion. They may only accept agented submissions, but you can check them out.
Jean