THE CHILDREN'S BOOK ACADEMY
  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship

100+ Character Driven Picture Books

9/21/2014

15 Comments

 

What have you read lately?


Many agents are seeking "Character Driven Picture Books." In a previous blog post I gave resources for information about writing character driven picture books. 

But as Stephen King said, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” 

And in order to really know how character driven stories work, we need to read them. And read lots of them. And read lots of them that are CURRENT.  (You should have favorites from the good old days, but we need to know what is currently being bought and sold and published.)

So (out of my own need) I've compiled a huge list of 100 + Character Driven Picture Books. 80 of them on the list were published in the last 4 years. The last 25 or so range from 2000-2010 (with the exception of one book being from 1990: Tacky the Penguin.) 
Download a copy here.
character_driven_picture_books_sheet1.pdf
File Size: 65 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Agents share their favorite character driven picture books...

Picture
Brooks Sherman from The Bent Agency told me off the top of his head, his favorites are THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen, SECRET PIZZA PARTY By Adam Rubin, and I AM OTTER by Sam Garton. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Lara Perkins, from Andrea Brown Literary said "I always love Tammi Sauer's MOSTLY MONSTERLY and one of my recent favorites is Zacharaiah Ohora's NO FITS, NILSON!"
Picture
Charlie Olsen, from Inkwell Management said his favorite character driven picture book is HERMAN AND ROSIE by Gus Gordon. 
Picture
Sara Sciuto from Foreword Literary told me her favorite was BETTY BUNNY LOVES CHOCOLATE CAKE by Michael Kaplan. "Mmm...chocolate..."
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture



So, what books are you looking forward to adding to your reading list? Comment below and let me know!
Picture
Mandy Yates is currently an elementary reading specialist and children's book writer. She has an MFA in creative writing from Spalding University and has been published multiple times in Highlights Magazine. 

She is also assisting Mira in teaching The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Books. http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html, as well as The Chapter Book Alchemist  http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.html .

Find some of her teacher resources over at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mandy-Yates.

And you can follow her on Pinterest, Twitter,and Facebook.  
15 Comments
Joanne Sher link
9/21/2014 11:11:58 pm

Fabulous post, Mandy! Thanks a TON for putting it together!!

Reply
Debbie Best
9/22/2014 10:38:21 am

Great informative post! Thank you! :)

Reply
tanya smith link
9/22/2014 12:01:19 am

Going to my small town library today. Hopefully I can fund some of these.

Reply
Sheri McCrimmon
9/22/2014 01:29:51 am

Mandy, this is fantastic! Thank you! Can't wait to find/read "Crankenstein" :)

Reply
Lisa Lynn Bates
9/22/2014 01:32:53 am

Thank you! This list is a great resource.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown link
9/22/2014 01:53:09 am

Great information! Thanks, Mandy!

Reply
Patricia Toht
9/22/2014 02:44:59 am

Thanks for all of the hard work compiling this, Mandy. What a great resource!

Reply
Lori Alexander link
9/22/2014 02:51:12 am

What a great list, Mandy! Thanks for including my picture book, BACKHOE JOE.

Reply
Elizabeth Rose Stanton link
9/22/2014 03:57:30 am

HENNY is thrilled to be in such grand company! Bwwaaak!

Reply
Taurean J. Watkins (@Taurean_Watkins) link
9/22/2014 05:12:05 am

So many of my favorite books released recently are on this list!

Of those on the list I've not gotten to yet, the ones I plan to read next are-

"Little Elliot, BIG CITY" by Mike Curato


I'm so used to many of my fave books being considered "obscure" but I'm glad that so many books I've read and love over the past two years are getting more recognition and traction. But here are some great (and fairly recent) releases that aren't on this list but are also fairly current-

"Mr. Tiger Goes Wild" by Peter Brown

"Letters From A Desperate Dog" by Eileen Christelow
Getting ready to review this one soon, and it's sequel "The Desperate Dog Writes Again", the comic panel format in some page spreads and impeccable dynamic pacing really bring these books to life.

While I understand the need to read current books in our field, I HAVE to recommend some Golden Oldies-

"Ballerino Nate" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and illustrated by R.W. Alley (Best known for illustrating the iconic "Paddington Bear")
-Out of print, but WORTH hunting down (especially if you've got a dance fan of the male persuasion) or seeing if your library has a copy. Hope someone reprints this one.

"Fox and Fluff" by Shutta Crum, illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello
Again, out of print, but WORTH seeking out, especially for you fathers out there! This is the fatherly companion to "Are You My Mother" and I HOPE someone reprints this one, too!

"Big Bad Bruce" by Bill Peet

As we near "Bully Prevention Month" in October, this old school title is especially worth checking out.

"The Wainscott Weasel" by Tor Seidler, illustrated by Fred Marcelino
This isn't a picture book, but is a great read for middle graders, and also would make a fab read, and the color art throughout the book from the late and great Fred Marcelino only sweeten the deal!

It was out of print but happily will be re-issued Fall 2014 in time for the 20th Anniversary of it's original publication back in the 90s.

This author's been under the radar for FAR TOO LONG! I urge you to check out this one when it re-launches. Expect a review on "Talking Animal Addicts" soon.

Reply
Kat
9/22/2014 06:31:44 am

Thanks, Mandy!!!

Reply
Sita Singh
9/22/2014 11:24:46 am

Awesome!! Thanks for the list Mandy! Most of them are my favorites:)

Reply
pat gibbs
9/22/2014 01:18:10 pm

Thanks for posting this....

Reply
Tracy Molitors
9/23/2014 05:05:31 am

What a lot of work went into this, Mandy. And what a great resource you have now provided. Thanks so much!

Reply
Lu
5/5/2019 01:10:52 pm

A good character pb. The Royal Rumpus and the March of the Pink Hats!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with awesome multi-published former student Shirin Shamsi who will be focusing on Muslim and cultural kidlit.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

    3rd Mondays will feature
    Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.

    4th Mondays will feature STEM, STEAM & SEL obsessed author Kourtney LaFavre sharing delightfully dorky, quirky, and fun info.

    And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break

    Enter your email address to follow this blog:

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Picture
Discover
Why Us?
Courses
Blogfish
Book Shoppe
About Us
Meet the Academy Faculty
Community
Contact Us

Privacy Policy
Join Us
Social Media
Join our Community and receive a fabulous free gift, yummy newsletters, scholarship info, contests, and more!

Like us on Facebook 
Join our interactive FB Group  
Find us on Twitter 
Follow us on ​Instagram  
Look for us on Pinterest
​
Watch us on YouTube
© 2012-2021  All content on this website is copyrighted. Sorry, all courses are non-refundable.
  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship