Kids Books

Kids Books

WRITING A FAIRYTALE BOOK

WRITING A FAIRYTALE BOOK

 

A fairy tale is a story, often intended for children, that features fanciful and wondrous characters such as elves, goblins, wizards, talking animals, and even, but not necessarily, fairies. The term “fairy” tale seems to refer more to the fantastic and magical setting or magical influences within a story, rather than the presence of the character of a fairy within that story. Fairy tales are often traditional; many were passed down from story-teller to story-teller before being recorded in books.

Early fairy tales were dark and foreboding, with plots not suitable for a young audience. As written versions evolved, they included happier endings. In the original Hansel and Gretel, for instance, both the mother and father intentionally left the children to die in the woods.

 

Fairy tales are categorized by their elements, types, or motifs. Here are some of those types and examples of stories that fit those types:

 

  • Supernatural Adversaries: Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood
  • Supernatural or Enchanted Relatives: Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast
  • Supernatural Helpers: Cinderella, Puss In Boots
  • Magic Objects: The Magic Ring, Aladdin
  • Supernatural Power or Knowledge: The White Snake, Ali Baba
  • Religious Tales: The Three Green Twigs, The Flower of Lily-Lo
  • Realistic Tales: The Falsely Accused Wife, Ariadne
  • Tales of Fate: The Robber Bridegroom, Oedipus (Aarne-Thompson)

 

What Books Are Considered Fairy Tales?

Here are some of the key elements that make a fairy tale what it is:

What Books Are Considered Fairy Tales

  • Fairy Tales Put the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

The protagonist of a fairytale is never a superhero, a fairy, and a magical creature. Fairy stories are about someone ordinary, someone seemingly unimportant, who then travels into an extraordinary realm full of wonder, and magic, and fantastical beings. Often, this is a normal, somewhat discontent human child who leaves behind the monotony and difficulties of real-life to travel into the Perilous Realm of Fairyland.

 

  • Fairy Tales Evoke Wonder

True fairy tales have a certain sense of wonder. Fairy stories don’t have to contain adventure or an allegory; it’s not even essential that they are fantasy in the genre. But this “elementary wonder” is a vital part of a true fairy tale.

 

  • Fairy Tales Are Reasonable

An important fact about Fairyland is that it has rules. In Fairyland, anything can happen—magical, whimsical, fantastical things—but they all happen very reasonably and according to the rules of the place. This doesn’t mean that these laws can’t be broken—the very definition of a law is that it CAN be broken—but only according to reason.

 

  • Fairy Tales Are Meant To Be Retold

Fairy tales are meant to be retold. The new stories will carry some element or some inspiration from a story that has already been told.

 

  • Fairy Tales Mean Something

A true fairy tale has meaning—a reason for reading beyond entertainment or escapism. A fairy tale that contains true wonder and beauty cannot help but have some sort of meaning.

Some very famous fairy tales include Elves and the Shoemaker, Emperor’s New Clothes, Frog Prince, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Pinocchio, Princess and the Pea, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Three Little Pigs, Thumbelina, Ugly Duckling and others.

Fairy tales can include magic, talking animals, or a touch of realism. Unlike fables, fairy tales don’t always contain a moral or lesson, they can be pure entertainment but often teach about consequences and values like kindness and patience.

 

How Do You Write a Fairy Tale Book?

In fairy tales, there are no defined rules. So, you have the freedom to decide how you want to construct and use your fairy tale.

How Do You Write a Fairy Tale Book

Themes

Some of the common themes include:

  • Uses magic or other ideas to achieve the extremely impossible.
  • Problems of children and young adults
  • Security
  • Fear of leaving home
  • Fear of not having a family
  • Fear of not being loved or giving love
  • Reflect basic values and concerns of different cultures
  • Good and evil
  • Right and wrong
  • Justice and injustice
  • Happiness, kindness, friendship, loyalty
  • Good triumphant over evil
  • Love and loyalty
  • Love and loyalty can transform …
  • Discuss basic values of people

 

Characters

There are many generally accepted characters in fairy tales. Virtually any magical character is acceptable and expected in a fairy tale: dwarves, dragons, elves, witches, wizards, fairy godmothers, sprites, and so on. Fairies can appear in fairy tales, but certainly do not have to. Choose characters with traits that serve your story-telling purposes. Some common traits for your hero or heroine could be kind, humble, innocent and kind-hearted. They must be someone that your reader could relate to and feel something for. Therefore it is a good idea to make your main character a normal, everyday person who could change throughout the story. Think about Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk or Snow White. A fairy tale without a villain would be pretty boring. Create an evil character to test your heroes’ abilities and cause them some pain. The villain in fairy tales is normally the source of conflict. For example, they might stop your hero from achieving their goals or hurt them in some way. Some common villains include the Big Bad Wolf, Cinderella’s stepmother, or the evil queen.

 

Storyline

Storyline

Because fairy tales are short, there’s no time to have fully-developed characters or exquisite storylines. Instead, fairy tales are filled with archetypes, or even what we now consider clichés. Most fairy tales follow one of two basic plots. Needless to say, there are many more plots and variations on them, but these two are the easiest two to use in your very own fairy tale. The first one, called Rags to Riches, is about a poor person, hated by their family or the entire society, but somehow manages to climb the social ladder and eventually even ends up as a member of the royal family. The second one is called Overcoming the Monster. As you might have guessed, it’s about how the hero is threatened by a monster or an evil being and sets out to slay it. Obviously, they succeed and live happily ever after. So, the first step you have to take is to pick one of these plots. These plots make use of three basic elements: a hero, a conflict, and a solution. If you have these, you’re good to go.

 

Ending

Many of the people who have written about the fairy tale genre say that a proper fairy tale must have a happy ending. However, the original authors of fairy tales show us otherwise. In Disney’s movie The Little Mermaid, the ending is happy. In the earlier tale written down by Hans Christian Anderson, however, it is a tragic end. You can decide whether your story should have a happy ending or not. While original folktales sometimes had dark resolutions, it’s always safe to conclude with the standard fairytale ending where good triumphs over evil.

 

Setting

Different settings can create different moods in your fairy tale. Any setting is appropriate for a fairy tale. They can take place in other, magical worlds. Often, though, fairy tales take place in our world, with magical characters appearing to and interacting with humans. When choosing your setting you can also choose the time period of your fairy tale. Common fairy tales were set in the 18th or 19th century, but what if your fairy tale was set in the future?

 

How to Find Publishers for Your Book?

Many new authors find this part of the process overwhelming; here are three of the famous methods of finding publishers for your book.

How to Find Publishers for Your Book

Get an Agent

Getting a literary agent helps in easing the process of publishing. Part of the benefit to working with an agent is access to his or her relationships with editors—this is what gets their submissions to the top of the reading pile and what can help attract an offer. The other large benefit to working with a literary agent is that they will do the work of submitting your proposal or manuscript, following up, and negotiating a deal should an offer come through.

 

Look Online

When it comes to doing any sort of research, the internet is one of the easiest approaches to take. If you already know of a publisher or two in your genre, try a standard internet search with that publisher’s name. This will lead you to their website, where you’ll find critical information such as what types of books the publisher is looking for, whether the publisher will consider unsolicited submissions and instructions on how to send your manuscript.

 

Try Print Resources

A number of printed resources are also available to help you find information on publishers. These books outline publishers that accept manuscripts from both agents and authors without agents. Information on guidelines and what publishers need is also outlined.

As you can see, there are a number of easy ways that you can find the best publisher to help you publish a book.

 

How Do You Get Your Book Published?

A book can be published either using the traditional methods or one could go for self-publishing.

Traditional publishing involves these steps:

How Do You Get Your Book Published

Step 1: Research your genre

As an author, you should know what kinds of books people are buying. That will give you an idea of the books that publishers are looking to acquire and how YOUR book will fit into that space.

 

Step 2: Ask for feedback on your manuscript and edit

Your book doesn’t need to be the finest novel ever written, but it must be something its target audience will enjoy. For that reason, before you start looking for representation, consider working with beta readers: people with an interest in your genre who can offer you feedback from a third party perspective. Pay attention to what

they say, and self-edit based on their feedback. You might also consider working with professional developmental and copy editors.

 

Step 3: Research suitable agents.

While some small and medium-sized presses accept “unagented submissions,” you’ll find that your best bet to scoring a traditional publishing deal will be to first secure an agent. Not only do they have the right connections at publishing companies, but they

will also know how best to sell it to acquiring editors. In addition, pitching your book is just one of the many tasks that fall to an agent. They are also advisors and editors, who will give you objective advice on your manuscript and act as a buffer between you and the publisher. They are deeply familiar with the industry and should know how to negotiate the best price for your book (and

avoid potential scams).

 

Step 4: Prepare your submission and send out queries

You send the agent a “query letter” that quickly pitches yourself and your novel. They request and read your manuscript and If they like your manuscript, they enter discussions regarding your book and career. You sign an agreement that allows the agent to represent your book.

 

Step 5: Work with your agent to find a publisher

You can expect to work with your agent to further develop your manuscript. In many cases, they’ll see potential in your book and will act as your first editor of sorts. Ideally, you will discuss how to make your book more sellable before signing with them. Once you’re both happy with the state of your manuscript, it’s then up to your agent to go out in the wilderness, pitch your book to publishers, and negotiate the best possible deal!

Some self-publishing methods involve publishing as an ebook, audiobook, via print-on-demand, or going for self-publishing.

Hopefully, this article gave you some idea regarding writing and publishing your fairy tales.

 

 

 

 

CHOOSE THE BEST BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN

CHOOSE THE BEST BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN

“He that loves reading has everything within his reach.”

-William Godwin

 

Reading is one of the best habits a child can learn. The benefits are countless and the impact reading a story creates on a child’s mind is immeasurable. Children are like mud; shaping these young minds at this tender age is essential, and books play a major role in it. Initiating your child to children’s literature is essential as it covers a whole range of stories and knowledge laid out to them to experience and indulge in. Children’s literature comprises those books written and published for young people who are not yet interested in adult literature or who may not possess the reading skills or developmental understandings necessary for its perusal. Literature serves children in four major ways: it helps them better understand themselves, others, their world, and the aesthetic values of written language. When kids read, they often assume the role of one of the characters. Through that character’s thoughts, words, and actions, the child develops insight into their character and values. Frequently, because of experiences with literature, the child’s modes of behavior and value structures are changed, modified, or extended.

 

Children need to read books which are good and help them in some manner. Getting confused and going for a book that is not quite right is prone to happen. However, one should be very careful when selecting books for children. Ursula K. Le Guin said, “A person who had never listened to nor read a tale or myth or parable or story, would remain ignorant of his own emotional and spiritual heights and depths, would not know quite fully what it is to be human.”

 

Here are some of the reasons why books are important, justifying therefore why choosing good books is highly important.

Importance of book

  • Books create warm emotional bonds between adults and kids when they read books together.

 

  • Books help kids develop basic language skills and profoundly expand their vocabularies—much more than any other media.

 

  • Books are interactive; they demand that kids think. Fiction and nonfiction books widen our consciousness. They give us new ways to think and new ideas. They expand our universe beyond time and place and inspire our original thoughts.

 

  • Books develop critical thinking skills. A book is read by an individual. It has no laugh track or a musical score that emotionally primes a reader’s reaction. You alone decide what you think about a book and its contents with no one leaning over your shoulder telling you how to think.

Books develop critical thinking skills

 

  • Books develop and nourish kids’ imaginations, expanding their worlds. Picture books introduce young children to the world of art and literature. Novels and nonfiction books stimulate kids’ sensory awareness, helping kids to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell on an imagined level. Books inform our imaginations, inspiring creativity.

 

  • Books let kids try on the world before they have to go out into it. Books allow kids to experience something in their imaginations before it happens to them in real life. Books help prepare kids for their next stage of maturity, vicariously preparing for the “grown-up” world.

 

  • Books help us to understand ourselves, to find out who we are. Books strengthen our self-confidence and help us to understand why we are who we are. They help us discover where we come from and help us figure out where we want to go.

 

  • Books help children and adults to open up, to move beyond self-absorption, and connect to other people. Books show us the inner workings of multiple perspectives and let us know there is more than one way to view the world. Books build connections and broaden our capacity to empathize; they help us to understand others. Books help us to become more compassionate.

Books help children and adults to open up

 

  • Books help kids to chart their own moral and ethical course. Books help us to reflect on right and wrong, good and evil. Books can offer guidance and help us to determine our life priorities, our own set of values.

 

  • Books answer questions.

 

  • Books create questions.

 

  • Books provide the opportunity to share cultural experiences. When kids read the same book, enjoying a common reading experience, peer bonds are built within a generation. When children, parents, and grandparents share classic books, extended familial and community bonds are formed creating a shared frame of reference.

 

  • Books offer a wide breadth of information, experience, and knowledge. But unlike many electronic mediums, books also offer a great depth of information, experience, and knowledge. Books inform us about other people, other countries, other customs, and cultures. Books help us to teach ourselves about history, the arts, science, religion, nature, mathematics, and technology –– anything and everything in our universe and beyond. Books also help us to understand the effect that all those things have on us and our world.

 

  • Books entertain and offer a great escape. They make us laugh and giggle. They make us cry.

 

  • Books — unlike many other entertainments –– are free for everyone. You can find the book you need, for free, at your neighborhood public library.

 

  • Books are great companions. You are never lonely when you have a book to read.

 

  • Books comfort us. Books help us understand that no matter who we are, or what our experiences may be, we are not alone in the world.

Books comfort us

 

  • Books inspire us to dream.

 

  • Books give us the tools to achieve our dreams.

 

Giving children access to all varieties of literature is extremely important for their success. Educators, parents, and community members should help children develop a love and passion for reading. Not only is reading literature important in developing cognitive skills to be able to succeed in a school or work setting, but it is valuable for other reasons as well. Children’s literature is extremely valuable in both the school setting and at home. Teachers and parents should both be able to differentiate between quality and mediocre literature, in order to give students access to the best books to encourage these important values of literature and considering developmental domains. Children’s literature is valuable in providing an opportunity to respond to literature, as well as cultural knowledge, emotional intelligence and creativity, social and personality development, and literary history to students across generations.

 

Books tell kids about life-concepts, value systems and teach them about love, God, peace, and truth. Show kids how to deal with grief, anger, disappointment, bullying, divorce, and much more.

 

Thus, looking at the importance of quality literature in a child’s life, the five-finger rule is an important aid in choosing a good book. A book has various parameters to qualify as a good book. However, vocabulary is one of the most important parameters. Children need to understand what they are reading. Only then they can benefit from reading. A child should be able to decode and comprehend. Also, it should be challenging enough for children to stretch themselves and learn new vocabulary. In such situations, the Five Finger Rule comes handy.

 

Five Finger Rule

Five Finger Rule

How many of you parents out there struggle to find the perfect book to fit your child’s reading level? Or worse yet- how often are they having trouble selecting the right books for themselves? Sometimes cruising the shelves of our library can prove difficult when titles are overly challenging or too easy for our young readers. If you pick one which might be above their phonics capabilities, it’s possible to discourage a healthy relationship with literature. On the flip side, books that are not continuing to introduce a variety of ambitious vocabulary and overall content within their stories can also hold them back from progressing. It’s a tough balance that has to be found by both parents and kids which affects lifelong skill sets valuable to their future education and more importantly their love for books in general. Your child may have already developed a love for reading or is still hesitant when it comes to picking out books; there is an easy way for them to choose a just-right book on their own. It’s called the Five Finger Rule! One of the best ways to nurture this early interest in reading is by making sure the books they read on their own are suitable for their ability. Books that are too easy can make reading time boring, while those that are too difficult can cause your child to become frustrated, skip parts, and fail to understand what’s happening. Helping your child to find ‘just right’ books – or the perfect books for their reading level – can be simple using this Five Finger Rule.

 

The Five Finger Rule is a quick and easy way for your child to check if a book is suitable to read on their own. Before they start, ask them to turn to a random page in the book and read it. For every word that they don’t know, they should hold up a finger.

 

Your child can use the following guidelines according to how many fingers they hold up:

 

0 or 1 – Most probably it is too easy for your child. It indicates that the selection is below what you should be challenging yourself with, so you’ll need to find something a step higher to motivate your reading skills.

 

2 – A good choice that will give your child a reasonable challenge and allow them to learn new words.

 

3 – Your child might need some help, but still a good choice if they’re up for a challenge.

 

4 – It may be too difficult for your child to read on their own. If you are on hand to give them help or read along with them it can be suitable, but if they are reading on their own, choose a different book.

 

5 – Most probably a bit too advanced, try a different book. Don’t be discouraged by this though because chances are, you’ll be ready for that title in just a short while.

 

What you are shooting for is a two to three finger ratio, where the text is comprehensible but still provokes your learning. This means it’s the “Just Right for You” book and chances are, you’ll be pleasantly paired with one another.

 

The five-finger rule should only be taught as a guideline for helping your child to find ‘just right’ books. It’s worthwhile remembering that if they have their heart set on a book that seems too hard, it’s probably OK to let them have a go. Be nearby to help them if they get stuck on a tricky word, and don’t forget to praise them for making an effort. Alternatively, if you know they’ll struggle to enjoy the story or will likely feel despondent, tell them that they can read it later in the year and suggest a different book instead. At the end of the day, allowing your child to read the books they’re interested in (whether they’re too easy or too difficult) is an important part of nurturing and maintaining their love of books and reading.

 

Some reasons for a child choosing a book include their friend had read it, it was by their favorite author, or they liked the cover. This is all very well, but these reasons don’t take into account a child’s reading level or ability. We need to teach strategies to help them choose a just-right book for independent reading. We want the children to develop into lifelong readers. Being able to choose a just right book is the first step in that direction. All children, no matter if they are struggling or confident, need opportunities to be taught reading strategies into practice independently. This is reinforced if they have the opportunities to choose their books.

 

 

For all of us, reading is a continued source of education for both kids and adults which allows us to grow constantly throughout our whole lives. Whether our unique pace occurs within small steps, leaps or bounds, books will always remain one of the largest entryways into our discovery. Exposing children to quality literature can contribute to the creation of responsible, successful, and caring individuals. Therefore Five Finger Rule functions as one of the important tools in enhancing reading habits. Hopefully, this article was useful in highlighting the importance of reading for children and the Five Finger Rule!