[Elisabeth Posts: 80 Status: Offline Regional Advisor, SCBWI Switzerland]

We have a wonderful picture book from (of all places!) the Royal Copenhagen (yes, the dishes) store in Copenhagen. It's a PB about some of their dishes and figures come to life.

Anyway, the little seahorse from the top of the sugar bowl gets frustrated about something, so he "curses" by saying things like "soppy starfish", "crazy cuttlefish" and "slimy seaweed." The meaning is clear but (IMO) completely inoffensive. You could do the same by making up things that relate to your theme.

HTH

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Wow, I love all these ideas. Such 'colourful language' in picture books! Who knew?!

[Ruth Donnelly Posts: 699 Status: Offline WWW]

My daughter's kindergarten teacher would say "my stars". :

One of my son's early primary teachers said, "Drat!" So, of course, he picked it up. He sounded quaint, and vaguely British.

[Tammi Posts: 1,367 Status: Offline WWW]

I used "durn" in Cowboy Camp, "phooey" in Princess in Training, and "fiddlesticks" in my upcoming The Farm that Mac Built. Apparently, I am a picture book potty mouth. 

Another possibility could be, "Rats!"

[SYoon Posts: 721 Status: Offline Novelty and Picture Books WWW]

I used "durn" in Cowboy Camp, "phooey" in Princess in Training, and "fiddlesticks" in my upcoming The Farm that Mac Built. Apparently, I am a picture book potty mouth. 

HILARIOUS! 

[Tammi Posts: 1,367 Status: Offline WWW]

And, uh, one of my latest releases is actually called Oh, Nuts!

[Artemesia Posts: 4,527 Status: Offline WWW]

  I'm also a PB potty mouth, having used most of those myself! Nice to know I'll be able to get away with it!! I'll just point at your books and say, "Well, Tammi did it!" and then pout, stomp my feet and hold my breath until they let me have my way. 

[SYoon Posts: 721 Status: Offline Novelty and Picture Books WWW]

And, uh, one of my latest releases is actually called Oh, Nuts!

*like*

I love Oh, Nuts!  In fact, I posted your book trailer on the boards because I loved it so much! I can't believe you didn't post it yourself!!! It's so awesome! It's in Promote Your Books, titled... "Tammi Sauer's secret book trailer!" hee hee

[DianaM Posts: 1,186 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

I didn't read the whole thread but did someone already mention "Those Darn Squirrels!"? Hilarious. The sequel just came out and I think it has a starred review in Kirkus.

But if you want something piratey, you may need a different approach. Ever watch Spongebob? My three-year-old loves to say "tartar sauce" as an expletive.

Depends on the sort of voice you want to evoke.

[CaroleB]

Hmm, I'm thinking of using phooey doo doo in my current wip.
I wonder if that sounds too poopy?
Ya know, it's hard to know what is acceptable.

Carole

[Artemesia Posts: 4,527 Status: Offline WWW]

Carole, I'd use what feels right. Your agent or any interested editor will tell you if they think it's not appropriate.

I don't think phooey doo doo crosses any lines, but it might depend on the context. 

[Tammi Posts: 1,367 Status: Offline WWW]

Omigosh, I just realized I have ANOTHER book with an expletive.....

In Me Want Pet!, the cave family uses the word, "Ug."

I am probably going to get kicked out of the kid lit community.

(And thanks, Salina, for posting the Oh, Nuts! trailer. You are the coolest.)

[Amanda Coppedge Posts: 483 Status: Offline WWW]

I also know that people will find reasons to be offended about things--you will never please everybody. One story time parent got very offended over a story featuring snakes because snakes symbolize Satan and how dare we expose children to that? One dad got mad at me for reading a (friendly) monster book because they had just worked through "There are no monsters under your bed" at home and then the librarian "confirmed" that there, in fact, are. Because a picture book corresponds to reality, gotcha. Etc.

[Liz Straw Posts: 1,084 Status: Offline That was a yummy book!]

Oh my stars and garters, I know picture book potty mouths.   

[Christy Posts: 750 Status: Offline Luck= preparation + opportunity WWW]

I totally saw darn in a pb I got from the library the other day. What was the title??????? But because of the word, I knew I couldn't read it to my 2nd graders. I'm in a public school and there's no way that would fly in my district. Something to think about.

[Ruth Donnelly Posts: 699 Status: Offline WWW]

Apparently, I am a picture book potty mouth.

   Why can't there be a "like" button?
I also like phooey doo doo.

[Lynda Posts: 98 Status: Offline Works in progress]

I totally saw darn in a pb I got from the library the other day. What was the title??????? But because of the word, I knew I couldn't read it to my 2nd graders. I'm in a public school and there's no way that would fly in my district. Something to think about.

Really? I didn't know darn had any dark side to it at all - I'm amazed. We don't really use it in the UK though, except when we're doing bad US impressions and mending socks.

Amanda, fascinating to hear some of the parental reactions to books. I'm quite drawn to scary subjects for my PBs.

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Really? I didn't know darn had any dark side to it at all - I'm amazed. We don't really use it in the UK though, except when we're doing bad US impressions and mending socks.

Lynda, the UK is far more lenient when it comes to most words relating to the potty or swearing/cursing, I've found. As far as I'm aware you wouldn't get dirty looks for saying, 'idiot' whereas in the US you might. And using words like bloomin' or cripes aren't seen as bad, even though they derive from bad words.

The one exception to this is spaz. In the UK you'd get thrown out of a classroom or office for saying that to someone. In the US it doesn't have the same negative connotations. I've seen it used in many children's books!

[Lynda Posts: 98 Status: Offline Works in progress]

LOL, Franzilla I wouldn't think twice about saying "Cripes, you blooming' idiot!" Well, apart from worrying it would damage my street-cred. Oh that's right, I don't have any.

[Franzilla Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

LOL, Franzilla I wouldn't think twice about saying "Cripes, you blooming' idiot!" Well, apart from worrying it would damage my street-cred. Oh that's right, I don't have any.

'Street cred'? What is this thing of which you speak?!