MOWMT 21: Magic That Makes Us Feel with Danielle Render Turmaud

The Magic in Books That Make Us Feel

By Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD

Have you ever opened a book and found yourself taken on an emotional journey that you never expected? The transformation can be instantaneous! One moment you’re focused on your own life, and the next you find yourself captivated and transported right into the pages.

This feeling is magical. And the world responds delightfully. These books tend to be popular with readers, win awards, and even become bestsellers. Why is that?

Because when we feel, we feel alive.

So how do we write picture books that bring readers on deeply emotional journeys (and with so few words)?! Is it really magic?

In some ways, yes! The unique voice and heart that each author brings to their work cannot be quantified. I won’t try to sell the lie that we can bottle that up and pass it on to you. But, what we can do, is review mentor texts that take us on deeply touching journeys and explore how these authors captivated us. The strategies and strengths we find can then be identified as skills to practice as we seek to enhance our own ability in writing “magical stories.”

So, let’s take some time to do this together! Looking at the three picture book mentor texts below, we will break down some of the methods these creators used to bring us on an emotional journey.  

The More You Give (2022)

Written by Marcy Campbell

Illustrated by Francesca Sanna

Finding Papa (2023)                                     

Written by Angela Pham Krans

Illustrated by Thi Bui 

Like So (2024)

Written by Ruth Forman

Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

After reading these picture books, we can identify the following strategies used:

#1 These mentor texts use evocative imagery (both in illustrations and words) that help us access our emotional experiences and physical senses.

For example, in Finding Papa (2023), the story starts with the following words:

“One morning, Papa gave Mai a long hug. It was longer than usual.

  Papa gave Mama a big kiss. It was bigger than most.”

Even without the illustrations to enhance the reader’s experience, Angela Pham Krans phrased this passage in a way that makes it feel tangible—as if we can feel the embrace and kiss ourselves.

#2 The creators foster a sense of wonder by touching on topics/themes that we relate to and care about.

Each of the mentor texts above focus on themes that are valued components of our lives: family, love, hope, intergenerational impact, connection, and more. Because of this, the creators didn’t have to convince us to care about these topics; they already matter to us and are interwoven into the very fabric of our being. And thus, emotional experiences surface as we read about them.

#3 The creators incorporate layers that naturally evoke an emotional experience (e.g., love between families, grief, hope, persistence, etc.).

The creators (authors and illustrators) allow our emotions to do the work for us. They don’t have to force the emotional experience because we have natural responses to the scenes and experiences they write about. They draw on what it means to be human—and our emotions follow.

For example, in The More You Give (2022), through the text and illustrations, we are invited to feel the bond between a boy and his grandmother. When the boy loses his grandmother, he then seeks to pass on her legacy to his daughter. As humans, we naturally connect to this experience because many of us have also loved, lost, and wanted to continue our loved ones’ legacies.

#4 Word choice is carefully selected to ensure that each passage is intentional, clear, and potent.

For example, in Like So (2024), simple phrases are used throughout the story (e.g., “We got love like so”). The sparse text in this book allows us to feel the message more poignantly, where additional words would likely have overcomplicated the message. In turn, we receive the message with our hearts instead of our minds.

#5 The endings are satisfying and leave us feeling deeply.

In each of these mentor texts, the authors skillfully end the story with words and moments that speak to our hearts. There is a satisfying emotional arc that moves us deeply.

As I conclude this blog post, I reflect on the privilege it is for us to be kidlit creators who may write stories that will bring magical moments into the world. Keep feeling, keep reading, and keep writing!

PRIZE: To support you in your journey, Danielle is offering one PB manuscript critique (~800 words or less) to a March On with Mentor Texts participant.

DANIELLE’S BIO: Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD, is an agented kidlit author, trauma therapist, published academic author, Expert Blog Author for Psychology Today, experienced professor, international presenter/speaker, Critique Coach for the Picture Book Author Academy, host of the annual Take Your Kid to Publishing Day event, host of the #YouDeservepIt writer pitch event, Mighty Kidlit Leader, and host of the You, Me & the Writing Journey podcast.

CONNECT:

I’d love to connect! Please find me at the following:

Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram: @Drenderturmaud and @YMWJPodcastWebsite: https://danielleturmaud9.wixsite.com/danielle-render-turm

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