MENTOR TEXT MONDAY: Criminals in Picture Books, Part 3
- rateyourstoryweb
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
As you can see, I couldn't resist taking a third swipe at this topic and we didn't take a break from it after all!
Please read Part 1 of this series HERE, and Part 2 of the series HERE, where we establish some of the things editors and agents look for in a picture book submission (most submissions, not just those about criminals). Once you do, you will see that a picture book about a criminal is certainly an exception to the rule. So why do these books get published? Some work despite the subject matter -- and we'll take another look at why.
And if you haven't been attending our Mentor Text Talks on Thursday, you're truly missing out. We had some wonderful chats last week when we read and discussed I Am a Thief by Abigail Raynor and Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Sylvie.
But now, let's look at a few more examples recommended to me by Rate Your Story Members:
WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD by Julia Donaldson, Art by Lydia Monks (Henry Holt, 2009).
Notably, this also bears an old publication date, which means one of two things: The topic is old and outdated, and sensibilities have changed, or, the world is just waiting for a new and modern take on the subject. Likely the first suggestion, but if you're up for a challenge to write a picture book on the topic that's fresh and new and just right for today's market and sensibilities, have at it!
Jacket Copy: Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are crafty robbers with a cunning plan: They'll sneak past all the animals and steal the farmer's fine prize cow. But they forget all about the tiniest, quietest creature on the farm -- the ladybug. She has a plan of her own!
First Line: Once upon a time there lived a fat red hen, a duck ina pond and a goose in a pen, a woolly sheep, a hairy hog, a handsome horse and a dainty dog, a fine prize cow, two cats that purred and a ladybug who never said a word.
Wait! Did she say fat? Hmmm. . . there's one example of how things have changed since 2007 or whenever this got accepted by the publisher. Likely fat would be replaced with a more PC word or, at the very most, shown in the art and not called out. But back to our story . . .
Aside from featuring criminals, this book features animals and their appropriate sounds (repeated throughout for interaction), which adds a nice takeaway for little ones. And it makes the plan to trick the thieves more fun (I don't want to give it away).
What really works about this is that it shows what a group of littles (thinking of the farm animals as surrogates for children) can accomplish when they work together
Get YOUR copy HERE.
I AM A THIEF by Abigail Rayner, Art by Molly Ruttan (North South Books, 2019)
BLURB: When Eliza Jane Murphy—line leader, captain of the worm rescue team—impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples.
My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!
I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?
But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.
A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.
While this story is about a child who makes the unfortunate choice of stealing a gem from her class (and not a hardened criminal), it does really touch upon how many children feel when stealing.
Of all the books we've explored, it portrays the most kid-friendly angle with the most takeaway value -- until the ending. I don't want to ruin the surprise. But the message was clear as day, until. . . that. I guess the real message is that no one is perfect. I guess that works, too. But the message not to be honest and not sneak or steal is a good one too, and the suggestion to preserve that clean record is a helpful one. Still, all in all, the book did end with a surprising twist!
Ger YOUR copy HERE.
As we have discovered, Mentor Texts not only show us what to do, but in some cases, what not to do. The choices are yours -- make the best choices possible, with the child reader in mind.
I really hope these books shed some light (not a jailbreak searchlight LOL) on the topic. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments in the comment section, and to share this post on Social Media. Those who comment will be placed in a drawing for a special prize, which could be an Ask Me Anything Session with me or a Rate Your Story Speedpass. Feel free to note your preference in your comment. Extra entries for those who share, so please say where. Winners will be chosen on July 20th, 2026.
Twitter: @literally_lynne
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And as always, I invite you to attend my FREE Thursday night Mentor Text Talks -- e-mail RYS.CyberOffice@gmail.com for further information.
PS Keep your eyes out for my next Mentor Text Monday post, Christmas in July! LM
