[marla-lesage Posts: 371 Status: Offline Write. Illustrate. Revise.]

Looking for mentor texts examples where a fictional picture book has facts included. Specifically books with character & plot rather than concept books.

[JodyJS Posts: 1,236 Status: Offline Preorder now! Out Jan. 7, 2020! WWW]

My forthcoming A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK is what you describe. Can you wait until February? 

[Trine Posts: 116 Status: Offline WWW]

I think THE KITE THAT BRIDGED TWO NATIONS by Alexis O'Neill might qualify.
It is about a true event, but she clarifies what is actually known and unknown.
 

[Verla Kay Posts: 4,643 Status: Offline Invite Verla Kay to speak in your area WWW]

Marla, all of my picture books (except Iron Horses and Rough Tough Charley, which are totally non-fiction) are fictional books that tell true facts. They are also written in rhyme, but the facts are all totally accurate in every one of them.

[marla-lesage Posts: 371 Status: Offline Write. Illustrate. Revise.]

Thanks Verla

[thunderingelephants Posts: 1,201 Status: Offline]

Marla, all of my picture books (except Iron Horses and Rough Tough Charley, which are totally non-fiction) are fictional books that tell true facts. They are also written in rhyme, but the facts are all totally accurate in every one of them.

How do you manage that? So envious.
Anthropomorphic writing can sometimes cause you to research a bit. I've found myself writing a story and said aloud "Okay, so this is an elephant, but would he really do that?".
Children pick up on these things and ask questions so sometimes it is better to have a bit of fact, just in case. Centipedes don't have 100 legs, for example, and I almost contemplated re-writing an entire story because of it.

[steve-newberry Posts: 3 Status: Offline Laughing & Learning for Young Minds! WWW]

My publisher (The Innovation Press) deals almost exclusively in this type of book! For example:

- How to Survive as a Firefly by Kristen Foote is all about the science of fireflies, but it is told by illustrated fireflies with story wrapped around it. 

[JulieM Posts: 821 Status: Offline WWW]

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, and some of Melissa Stewart's books.