Storytelling and children’s books: Literary devices?
I am writing several children’s picture books. Some make use of literary devices because they lend to lyrical reading (not poetry). However, one of my stories simply tells a story. The writing, I feel, is tight and evocative but I realize that there is a lack of typical literary devices that so many picture books use. Is this wrong?
There is no repetition, onomatopoeia, etc. There is some alliteration but not in chanting verses. The text is meant for an adult to read to a child. It is like a fairytale.
Are there other children’s book titles that can serve as examples of this type of writing? More text on each page, etc. It runs just under 1800 words. Too long?
Thank you for saying that, Christa. That makes perfect sense to me. Someone in a writing group kept harping on this (without having read my stuff at all) so I began to look at my work differently.
I’m just trying to improve my work as much as possible. Thanks for your input!
I do not find anything wrong with this. Who says that children need these elements in order to find a story alluring. By believing that good children’s literature must have repetition or some other literary device, we leave out so many other wonderful stories. A good story is a good story regardless. And limiting/reviewing a story based on the number of literary devices used is a silly idea. The most important thing to remember is that it needs to be entertaining because in all honestly, if a piece of literature does not captivate its audience (no matter the age group) then it has failed. If you feel that your piece tells a good story, than forget the rest. You don’t want to force something just to meet expectations.
Fairy Tale Storytelling – Bar Voices
|
|
Telling Fairy Tales Photo Mugs Five children listen wide-eyed as Grandmama sits by a roaring fire, telling them scary tales…. |
|
|
Puppet Heap Playthings Mother Hubbard Among Others – Lucy $16.99 Made using an innovative printed fabric process, each puppet is designed with an eye toward dimensionality and fine detail. The tales behind these classic characters are written all over their faces. Puppet measures 5.75″ x 5.25″ x 17″. For ages 6 and up…. |
|
|
Puppet Heap Playthings Mother Hubbard Among Others – Toby $16.99 Made using an innovative printed fabric process, each puppet is designed with an eye toward dimensionality and fine detail. The tales behind these classic characters are written all over their faces. For ages 3 and up…. |
|
|
Puppet Heap Playthings Mother Hubbard Among Others – Constable $16.99 Made using an innovative printed fabric process, each puppet is designed with an eye toward dimensionality and fine detail. The tales behind these classic characters are written all over their faces. Puppet measures 5.75″ x 5.25″ x 17″. For ages 6 and up…. |
|
|
Disney 45026 Pix Max Hannah Montana Fairytale Storytelling 5.0MP Digital Camera Create and star in your own picture-perfect fairytale! This 5 megapixel resolution camera creates dynamic pictures for photo buffs of all ages. Get creative with Disney’s Photofriends – insert your favorite Disney characters into your pictures as you take them! Let the camera direct you to shoot specific poses, then use the Disney Storytelling software to create a custom fairytale with you as the … |
|
|
Fairytale Storytelling DISNEY Disney 45026 Pix Max Fairytale Storytelling 5.0MP Digital Camera Model: 45026 Create and star in your own picture-perfect fairytale! This 5 megapixel resolution camera creates dynamic pictures for photo buffs of all ages. Get creative with Disney’s Photofriends – insert your favorite Disney characters into your pictures as you take them! Let the camera direct you to shoot specific poses the… |
|
|
Jim Henson’s the Storyteller – The Definitive Collection $19.94 THE STORYTELLER: From the creators of THE DARK CRYSTAL and LABYRINTH comes this nine-episode series utilizing first-rate casts and elaborate special effects to spin variations on beloved myths and legends. John Hurt stars as the Storyteller, who, along with help from his cynical dog, narrates these fascinating, beautifully constructed fables guaranteed to capture the imaginations of your entire fa… |
|
|
Stories Seldom Told $6.00 Featuring Stephanie Bennett on concert grand harp, with: winds, brass and strings; tablas, tympani and bells. Like fairy tales full of adventure and romance, music that inspires the imagination to dream. (Not storytelling) 1. MICHIGAN WINTER (6:12) Harp, flute and cello describe the peace of a snowy scene at dawn. 2. THE MAGIC FAWN (5:00) Reminiscent of a joyous Celtic dance, with a lively 9/8… |
|
|
Travelin’ Down the Road: Sing Along Stories from a $16.15 … |
|
|
Hoodwinked $2.99 … |