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Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Cover to Cover, Part II ~By Suzy Leopold

During the month of April, I shared a post, Cover to Cover, Part I. I began identifying the parts of a book beginning with the cover. The book jacket, followed by interesting endpapers were identified along with front matter elements. 

Let's proceed with Part II and continue identifying the parts of a published book. The featured book is: 
THE GIRL WHO DREW BUTTERFLIES: 
HOW MARIA MERIAN'S ART CHANGED 
SCIENCE 
by Joyce Sidman.

THE GIRL WHO DREW BUTTERFLIES

Book Jacket and End Papers

First, I'll begin with these thoughts . . . 

  • Writers understand the importance of reading and studying picture books in the genre one writes. It is a sound idea. 
  • Writers request stacks of books from the library to read and study. 
  • Picture book writers visit local indie bookstore and inspect picture books from cover to cover. Writers examine recently published picture books. 
  • Writers read to hone their craft . . . The craft of writing for children.
From cover to cover, there are various parts of a picture book. Picture book terminology various from book to book. As previously stated, not all picture books include all elements described in the previous post and today's post. Every book does not include the same parts. These variants are based on the topic or theme, the genre, and the audience the book is intended for. Writers choose elements that support the story being told, offering the reader additional information.

As an educator, a writer of children’s picture books, and a Story Teller Extraordinaire, I feel text features are essential parts of a nonfiction book. These story elements can even be included in the genre of fiction. Including various text features and back matter that’s done well are useful components that can support the main text of a well written story. 

















I enjoy sharing books during story time at Afterwords Book Store on Tuesdays. Not only do I read books with the littles, I take time to include various book elements. The names of the author and illustrator are read. The front and back covers or book jacket are shown. Interesting end papers are featured. After the story is read, I may point out several components of the Back Matter based on the age group of the audience.

In Part I of Cover to Cover, many elements of Front matter. I left off with the gutter of a book.

Let's continue with another part of a picture book found on the verso [left hand page] and recto [right hand page] pages of a book.

Sidebars or Inset Boxes
Sidebars step away from the story to share additional facts throughout the main story. These could include quotes, definitions, and additional information to enhance the story. These informative inset boxes [sometimes called breakout boxes or fact boxes] are written on the same pages as the book's main text. This element provides a way to grab the reader's attention by presenting interesting ideas and concepts related to the main text. Sidebars are set off in a different font to stand apart. 

Nancy Sanders, author, explains the format of sidebars further on her blog Blogzone: Practical Tips to Help Your Writing Come True . . . 

Fellow GROGger, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, author wrote an excellent post about inset boxes with a catchy title, Sidebars: Not for Skipping.

Moving beyond the story . . . What can a reader discover in Back matter?

As an educator and a writer of children’s picture books, I feel back matter can be an essential part of a nonfiction book. It can be an excellent tool for the genre of fiction, too. Back matter that’s done well is a useful component that supports the story. 

Outstanding back matter not only supports the story, it improves the quality of the book. When back matter is included in a picture book, its like two stories in one.

Back matter supports literacy skills defined in Common Core Standards and the STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics] movement. It encourages critical thinking.
Back matter may include several or some of the following elements:

Index 
An index is a useful tool. An alphabetical list to help the reader find a page number with specific information. 
Index
Glossary
A glossary or key words is a list of important words to know. Students can read the definitions to understand an unknown word. The glossary or mini-dictionary may include specific history, science, or math related words to tie in Common Core Standards.
Glossary
Author's Note
Author's Note
Author & illustrator notes

These notes are often seen in nonfiction picture books. The purpose is to add a few facts that do not fit into the main text of the main text. These notes are compared to "footnotes" and are often personalized about the subject of the book.

Diagrams, Graphs, Maps, and Timeline
A great way to visually display facts and information about the story and topic. Using a timeline helps students connect the events of history and see the "big picture".
Timeline

Bibliography
A page with references and sources used.
Bibliography
Activities
This section may include crafts, experiments, recipes, and building ideas for the reader. Teachers and parents always appreciate these extended activities to build critical thinkers.

Epilogue
When considering an epilogue, ask this question: 
1. Is there anything else left to be said?
For additional information read this blog post by Hannah Gordon for more questions and information.

Afterword or Note from the Author
Additional facts and information.

Many picture books include Resources for further learning. Listed are my additional suggestions for more information.

Melissa Stewart Celebrate Science, Behind the Books: Three Melissas and Nonfiction Text Features.

Michelle J. Kelley and Nicki Clausen-Grace Reading Rockets, Guiding Students Through Expository Text with Text Feature Walks.

Valerie Peterson asks "What are the parts of a printed book?" Read her thoughts on this blog: The Parts of a Book.

From front matter to back matter, a writer chooses the parts of a book to best convey the message of the story and the facts of the main text. These elements are some of the basic parts of a published book. While you won't include every single element described, you may want to consider including those that enhance your story.

17 comments:

  1. Good explanation of book parts and why to include or why not to include certain elements all picture book writers should consider. Those littles on Tuesdays at the bookstore are getting a fab, fun intro to picture books from you, Suzy! Bravo.

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    1. You are always so supportive. There are many book elements to consider. Thank you, Kathy.

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  2. A great Part 2 to your earlier post. You've covered it well. I am always in learning mode.

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    1. Your comment is appreciated, Sherri. A writer must choose elements that support the story.

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  3. Great post - thank you for laying the book out so clearly. Sharing with my local Shop Talk group.

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Do hope the members of the Shop Talk group find some helpful tid bits.

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  4. I really appreciate the resources that you included, especially Melissa Stewart & Nancy Sanders. Thanks for this informative post.

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    1. Aren’t both Melissa Stewart & Nancy Sanders are so giving of their knowledge of the kid lit world? Your support for the GROG Blog is appreciated, Maria.

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  5. Thank you, Suzy. You've answered questions that sometimes hang in a gray area. I appreciate this follow up to Part 1.

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    1. Together may we continue to grow & learn as writers, Charlotte. Thank you for being a follower of the GROG Blog.

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  6. Great post. Always good to review this info. Thanks.

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    1. Your support for the GROG Blog is appreciated, Mary.
      ~Suzy

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  7. I really appreciate your follow-up to this area of NF picture books, and how others have used these areas to further their book designing. Thank you again for a great post.

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    1. If you write fiction along with nonfiction, keep in mind some of these elements should be considered for fiction, too.

      Thank you, Virginia.
      ~Suzy

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  8. Hi,Suzy. thanks for the info and the links about sidebars. I've written a few PB manuscripts with sidebars and Nancy's post was helpful.

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    1. Greetings to you, Janet. Sidebars can certainly add to the storyline.

      Hugs for you.
      ~Suzy

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  9. Appreciations for this cornucopia of helpful detail about what's inside a book we share with young ones, Suzy. It's Tuesday as I write this & I can only imagine the joy your AfterWords Bookstore club experiences with your page turns.
    This article makes me slow down & appreciate the non-fiction picture book in I way that is mindful & helpful. Brava!

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