MOWMT 13: Boosting Bold Backmatter with Lauren Kerstein
- rateyourstoryweb
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Lauren H. Kerstein Boosts Bold Backmatter That Grabs the Reader as Much as the Text
Everything I’ve ever learned, I learned from a picture book!
The beauty of writing nonfiction picture books is that you have the opportunity to dive down deep rabbit holes and dig up diamonds to share with readers.
The challenge of writing nonfiction picture books is that you may end up with so many diamonds, they won’t all fit into a 32-page, 40-page, or even a 48-page picture book.
When I wrote HOPE RODE, I pulled from over one hundred pages of research and interviews I’d conducted. I was so fascinated by the topic that I couldn’t stop reading, researching, and interviewing. I wanted to share ALL of it! But I couldn’t. And so, I had to make difficult decisions about what belonged in the text and what was better suited to the author’s note/ backmatter.
These decisions weren’t easy!
I often find myself talking about this process of picking and choosing information for the text versus the backmatter with my creative coaching clients. I might ask the following questions:
- What information NEEDS to be in the text in order to move the story forward?
- What information is critical to the “character” arc?
- The narrative?
- The heart?
- And what information offers an opportunity for the reader to dive further into the topic AFTER they’ve finished reading?
There are so many wonderful examples of books that balance this delicate dance of text and backmatter. Story and further information. Here are a few—
THE GLASS PYRAMID: A STORY OF THE LOUVRE MUSEUM AND ARCHITECT I.M. PEI; written by Jeanne Walker Harvey; illustrated by Khao Le; published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 2025
Jeanne Walker Harvey’s backmatter is unique, concise, and fascinating. Not only does she provide more information about I.M. Pei, she also expands upon the STEM connections in a way that is both incredibly interesting and beyond satisfying to the reader who wants more. Finally, she describes an architect in brief and engaging terms. Her selected sources and online videos and interviews offer even further information to the most curious of readers.
LINCOLN written by Beth Anderson; illustrated by Sally Wern Momport; published by Calkins Creek; 2025
Beth Anderson’s afterword contains paintings, pictures, further information, and the opportunity to explore critical thinking, perceptions, and the ways in which people advocate and protect our democracy. The bibliography divides sources by primary source, edited collections of primary source material, and secondary sources, which is a critical distinction and one that can be used to help students understand the difference between sources. The search for facts is a slippery slope in our ever-growing and changing world, and Beth’s afterword and source material are incredibly useful tools in order to better illuminate the importance of finding reputable sources. Finally, a full page is dedicated to the Great Western Railroad Time Card which brings this moment in history to life even more!
HOW THE FOREST FEELS: SENSORY PLAY NATURE’S WAY written by Wendi Silvano; illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen; published by Holiday House; 2025
I loved both the simplicity and the complexity of Wendi’s author’s note. It contains additional information about the five senses and activities that ensure this concept is accessible to even the youngest of readers. The activities are also exciting for older readers. Wendi seamlessly included further facts both about nature and the sensory system in the author’s note that support the fun activities. And finally, she was able to talk about safety in a supportive and engaging way.
THE WIRE ZOO written by Natasha Wing; illustrated by Joanie Stone; published by Paula Wiseman Books; 2024
Natasha Wing’s backmatter offers fantastic examples of Elizabeth Berrien’s incredible creations as well as further information about Elizabeth. Natasha broke the information down into accessible pieces, and truly shed light on this talented artist. The backmatter also explores the power of teachers/mentors in our lives and the ways in which Elizabeth’s art teacher truly changed the trajectory of her journey because he saw HER!
HOPE RODE: THE PROMISE OF THE PACKHORSE LIBRARIANS written by Lauren H. Kerstein; illustrated by Becca Stadtlander; published by Union Square Kids; 2025
As I mentioned above, I had a lot of trouble deciding what to include in the actual text and what to leave for the backmatter/ author’s note. I wanted everyone to know EVERYTHING about these incredible librarians, the origin of this program, the impact of these fearless women, and the research snags I hit along the way. At the end of the day, given my sparse, lyrical text, I hinted at information in the text that I later explored in the author’s note through photos, quotes from patrons and librarians, brief supplemental snippets of information, and acknowledgements. I wanted to include as many photos as possible so the bibliography and additional readings ended up relegated to my website. My author’s note also explored the conflicting information I found regarding the inclusion of the BIPoC community and the painful decisions I had to make regarding representation in order to ensure the book was historically accurate. (And the outstanding people I interviewed who helped me ensure my decisions were solid.)
When we write— whether fiction or nonfiction— enormous numbers of images and words end up on the cutting-room floor in order to ensure all elements of the manuscript work from pacing to heart to narrative arc to emotional resonance, etc. The backmatter/ author’s notes give us the opportunity to dive deeper so that our readers walk away with both a satisfying story as well as further information to fuel their curious souls.
I challenge you to explore the information you’ve gathered and ask yourself important questions about what belongs in the text and what will make your backmatter bold enough to grab your reader’s attention and hold onto it long after they’ve finished reading the book.
Prize: A 30-minute Ask Me Anything
Lauren is an award-winning author, psychotherapist, creative coach, screenwriter, and NYT-bestselling ghostwriter. She is the author of the Rosie the Dragon and Charlie picture book series, Home for A While, Remembering Sundays with Grandpa, and Hope Rode. Lauren writes books in her field and just released a book about emotion regulation. Her board books with Creative Publishing Services are due out this Spring. Lauren is one of the founders of #ReVISIONweek, a judge with Rate Your Story, and is a long-time member of 12x12 and SCBWI. Her writing goals are simple. Read voraciously. Embrace feedback. Grow each day. Work hard. Be passionate. Write courageously. Touch children’s hearts.
BONUS ENTRIES: NOTE: As you comment on each post, please note whether you have shared this post, bought the author's book for yourself or as a gift, whether you have followed our guest blogger or Rate Your Story on social media (and where), as well as whether you have left a review of the guest blogger's book (and where) for extra entries (for each show of support) and to be eligible for surprise prizes.
Feel free to click the links to buy the books mentioned and help support our Weekly Mentor Text Talks (OPEN TO ALL - Replays available to Rate Your Story Members only)! Thanks for sharing the #BookLove #MarchOn #MentorTexts #RateYourStory
