Congratulations! You made it through the busiest week of
ReFoReMo! Not only did you gain educational insight, but you received at least
10 reading recommendations for each of these days. Whether you read over 50
books this week or you simply read one each day, we applaud your efforts to
make mentor texts the new black. Which is now grey. Or is it orange? I have an
idea! Why don’t you set a new trend?
Have you found yourself in the books you've read so far? Let’s reflect on
our presenters’ words of wisdom.
While reading, which elements make YOU…
…want to reread a story?
…love the language?
…tap your foot to the beat?
…laugh out loud?
Which books will set the mood music for YOU before you write?
Which ones make you FEEL something?
Perhaps you've discovered that none of the mentor texts on our reading list speak to your current needs. We encourage you to read and research widely! You don't have to be tied to our list or our timeline. Make your own trend, but do strive to make mentor texts a regular part of your education.
Perhaps you've discovered that none of the mentor texts on our reading list speak to your current needs. We encourage you to read and research widely! You don't have to be tied to our list or our timeline. Make your own trend, but do strive to make mentor texts a regular part of your education.
When you start paying attention to what you enjoy reading the
most, you’ll get a glimpse at what you may love writing, too. And you should
absolutely love what you write!
Of course, you’ll never know until you try. Pull out your
notebook, record your favorites, and all of the things that stood out to you in
each book.
Do you see any common
ground?
Carrie is giving away a picture book critique at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. To be eligible for this prize, please leave a comment on this post and strive to read mentor texts regularly.
Carrie is giving away a picture book critique at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. To be eligible for this prize, please leave a comment on this post and strive to read mentor texts regularly.
Carrie Charley Brown is the founder and co-coordinator of ReFoReMo. She eats, sleeps, and breathes picture books as a writer, professional critique mentor, and first grade teacher. Carrie has contributed as a 2014/2015 CYBILS fiction picture book panelist and regional advisor/social media chair for SCBWI North Texas. She enjoys supporting authors, illustrators, and kidlit organizations by reviewing books, creating videos, and spreading mentor text love. You can find her educational blog posts on Writer's Rumpus, Carrie On Together, and the ReFoReMo blog. 
Thanks Carrie. It has been a wonderful first week - and so many great mentor books and advice about writing.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly been a busy week researching so many wonderful picture books. Thank you so much for all the hard work putting ReFoReMo together.
ReplyDeleteI love lyrical language and humour, so I was happy to add some new favourites to that list. Thanks for a great first week.
ReplyDeleteI found many funny book sin this first week's batch. I love funny and try to write fun and funny! TY, Carrie.!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for some of the books to come into my library. I live in a small town and had to interlibrary loan most of the books. My plan is to go back through the posts once I have two or more books for each day. Then I will take notes, type manuscripts, etc. Can't thank you enough for hosting this and the guest bloggers for their time and reading lists. So good!
ReplyDeleteGreat first week. Thanks for all your efforts in making this an awesome month of reading and learning!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about reading other books while reading this list. I ended up grabbing around 7 books that weren't on here. I think that's a good thing :3
ReplyDeleteFocusing on what we enjoy reading the most => what we enjoy writing the most.
ReplyDeleteHow true. The stories that spoke to me the most, personally, this week were the ones that made me FEEL something. I was amazed and moved by the love and the message in Worm Loves Worm and how well and clever this book said 'love is love'. I was touched and tickled by the adorable little panda voice who just wanted to wear a stinking pair of pants. And I was entertained by and surprised about how much I cared for a stick and a stone and how badley I was routing for two inanimate object to have a successful friendship. Being able to take away all these 'FEELS' from week 1 really motivates me as a writer. And, well, as a human being who has something to share with the world :) Thanks for introducing me to some of the best books I've read yet!
Sounds like a super productive week, Melissa!
DeleteAlways some enlightened suggestions Carrie! Thank you for all you do for this reading community! I love all the mentor texts...so much valuable information and ideas! Love it all!!....(and having an excuse to reserve and read a ton of picture books for a month...is an extra bonus!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the love, Anita!
DeleteThank you for the post, Carrie. While I haven't been able to read as much as I would have liked, I really enjoyed the daily posts and reading some great mentor texts. Looking forward to reading more great books!
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote, Carrie. It's right to the point--and very motivating! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found this challenge. I've built a habit of reading lots of books (around 500 a year for the last 3 years) but it helps to do a bunch at the same time so you can compare and contrast and focus on it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've established a great reading habit! There's definitely something to be said for reading widely. I'm a huge believer in taking time to read deeply, as well. Enjoy the research that you do this month and beyond!
DeleteLots of new books for me to consider. This children's literature umbrella is enormous... A good start to using mentor texts . Thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all your hard work on this, Carrie. This first week has been fantastic, and I'm looking forward to more! I most definitely love books that make me laugh, and I will read them again and again, but those books whose language takes my breath away and make me pause and savor the words are probably my favorite.
ReplyDeleteLyrical books are amazing!
DeleteThis is my second year for ReFoReMo, and I still love it! This week there were a few familiars, but so many new titles for me...books that I might never have discovered. And boy, what I might have missed! Thanks for this first week. It has not only been delightful, but educational.
ReplyDeleteI am learning so much and it's so good to be able to laugh at silly things, just like children do. I am able to find about half of each list, but I did find some being read on Youtube, which is great. I saw this young guy reading Bark, George, and he did not like it--thought it was sexual. You never know how a book will hit you. Diary of a Worm and Stick and Stone were two of my favorites. Thank you for all your hard work, Carrie. We all benefit greatly.
ReplyDeleteI consider you are a mentor writer, so your advice about mentor texts is taken to heart! Thank you for all your efforts to enrich the PB community!
ReplyDeleteAs for your questions, I pondered them. I want to reread a story when I didn't see an ending coming or I was particularly touched with the storyline. I love language that is written in thoughtful, poetic prose or high-quality, story-driven rhyme. I tap my feet to books written with fabulous rhyme and rhythm. I laugh out loud at the humor that writers can convey that hits at my inner child. Mood music is set by my own inner voice. Stories that touch me and make me pause with inner speechlessness make me feel something quite special. What a blessing!
Thanks for sharing your answers with me, Meli!
DeleteI am so happy I found the ReFoReMo! I have learned so much. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy most important take-away has been, "When you start paying attention to what you enjoy reading the most, you’ll get a glimpse at what you may love writing, too. And you should absolutely love what you write!"
I've read all but ONE of the recommended books, and I'm now on a first name basis with my local children's librarian!
Best wishes finding what you love!
DeleteI love hearing the WHY of the recommendations. I know that I have a taste in picture books; I read Eric Carle every night for many years with the last child. It's such a treat to have all of these rich discussions!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you with us, Sherry!
DeleteThanks, Carrie. ReFoReMo gives me a chance to read for pleasure and learning. Of all the genres, PBs are my favorites
ReplyDeleteTruly a wonderful week. I love our community!
ReplyDeleteGood review of the inspiration from this week's offerings. I am finding new picture books to add to my favorites. Thank you for making this possible.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful I found this blog and month of helpful and encouraging posts. I strive to read as many as possible but life gets in the way sometimes. Love these helpful reading lists to guide my research. Thank you so much for your dedication to children's literature.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this! I'm getting so many ideas for WIPs that have been put aside because they just weren't working. Now there is hope for them. Excitement builds every day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie for all that you do. This was a terrific first week for ReFoReMo, and I totally agree with you when you wrote, "When you start paying attention to what you enjoy reading the most, you’ll get a glimpse at what you may love writing, too. And you should absolutely love what you write!"
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, I'm really loving getting back into ReFoReMo again. I've missed it, lol. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you Carrie for spearheading this wonderful month of reading! One of my favorite byproducts is that with so many stacks of wonderful library picture books stacked up around the house, my older kids (10, 13, 16) pick them up and read them too! Picture books are so magical!
ReplyDeletePure magic! Hooray for kids reading! And us!
DeleteI have favorite authors that I read and reread their books, but I always have time for new picture books:>
ReplyDeleteCarrie thank you for reforremo! I looked forward to reading the mentor texts. One of my surprise and delight texts was reading Unicorn thinks he's pretty great. I usually read nonfiction picture books and reading broadened my repertoire of PB books.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what was ahead when I signed up for ReFoReMo, but it sounded interesting. I have learned more this past week from the blogs and the meeting I attended chaired by Carole Calladine than I ever dreamed possible. ReFoReMo has given my writing a "rudder". Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear and glad you're here!
DeleteThis has been wonderful! Thank you Carrie and Kristi for putting this month long event together. I'm looking forward to the posts to come and all the suggested PBs to read.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I have books piled all over our RV...my honey will be so happy when I am done with ReFoReMo so he can sit down someplace. Anyplace. The usual stacks are not quite so high. But I love it! Thanks for coordinating all of this. Yay team!
ReplyDeleteI love humor and the language in a picture book. I like the use of alliteration and similes and metaphors.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all your hard work with this. It's been super helpful. I'm keeping a journal of the books that I found most helpful for my own personal writing journey. These reflections questions are perfect for this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am constantly drawn to lyrical language with wonderful meter and rhyme like Julia Donaldson's work. Hopefully one day those skills will cross over into my brain! Getting meter right is so tricky!
ReplyDeleteThis week I've been looking at life through the eyes of a picture book - when I realized that I see myself in other people (just like readers do in the characters of picture books) and when my horrible sense of direction became a strength (just like weaknesses become strengths in picture books to solve the conflict).
ReplyDeleteGreat week of mentor texts!
Thanks Carrie, this has been a great start to ReFoReMo. I have made reading mentor texts a part of my routine all year round, these are great suggestions that I have either already read or look forward to reading soon. I document each book read in a notebook and write something about each book as well as note various features in a categories index for all the books read. Later on I can quickly go back and refresh my memory on an aspect of the book as needed. Last year's ReFoReMo was my first year and I wouldn't be doing this without you leading the way!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear how well you are doing with your research!
DeleteThank you, Carrie! This has been a great week. I really am feeling a habit forming and have more of a goal as I read PBs for research.
ReplyDeleteHooray for mentor text habits!
DeleteA writing friend and I got together Wed for supper and read 43 of the week's book and graded them 1-10. what we liked what we didn't care for the characters, plot,. author/illustrator vs author and illustrator, word count, editor, publishing house and many more. We came away with quite a list of information and ideas. We plan t meet again in two weeks...we might have to do a sleep over to tackle of the next list of titles.
ReplyDeleteSharing this with others adds even more perspectives. Priceless!
DeleteThanks, Carrie, for beginning REFOREMO! I loved all of the Pos suggested for week 1 but I found two of them especially inspiring. I actually was motivated to begin writing a totally new PB manuscript. - Alice Fulgione
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie for your hard work with ReFoReMo. I added a Pinterest Board to keep track of the books that I found most helpful for my own personal writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to keep track, Maritza!
DeleteGreat first week, Carrie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love when I come across a book that shows me exactly what I needed to know about craft! Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteThanks for summing up the first week...and what a week it has been, filled with fabulous mentor texts and wonderful guest educators. Thanks for running this terrific challenge.
ReplyDeleteCarrie! We could not have a better leader for ReFoReMo! Perfect post. I can't wait to ask myself these questions!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do this without my better half! Thanks for being my partner, Kirsti!
DeleteI love the idea of determining what you LOVE to read most likely will be what you LOVE to write! Thank you Carrie;)
ReplyDeleteNicki Jacobsmeyer
ReForReMo has been such a gift. I love reading picture books and already to some degree looked at them as models - but did I do so with the same deliberate intent that I have in the past week? I don't think so. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a fantastic week! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful posts this week! There are so many good books that need to be read again and again. ReFoReMo is wonderful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first ReFoReMo, and I love the encouraging energy of these posts and the abundance of insight shared. Thanks so much. Looking forward to the upcoming weeks!
ReplyDeletecarrie,
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at I Yam a Donkey. So hilarious. Just the antidote for the real world. I've also loved Bunny bear, Ooko and many others. The biographies are wonderful. I'll be reading and reading all year long thanks to you!
Love all the PB insights and reading recommendations. Thanks for all the work on this year's ReFoReMo, Carrie and your team!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU, CARRIE, for the encouragement! I especially enjoyed the probing questions you included. These will definitely help to keep in mind as I not only read, but RESEARCH and SINK DEEP WITHIN the covers of each book, each line, each word, each illustration . . . THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie, for today, and for this last week and for what's to come. I'm at a stage where mentor texts are making a huge difference in my writing, so my first ReFoReMo could not have come at a better time for me.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely found myself laughing out loud many times this week. A great list of mentor texts, and great posts to go along with them. Looking forward to the weeks to come! Liz Tipping
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carrie and guests, for an exciting and inspirational first week. I have laughed at times and I've been motivated as I read my way through the week. I'm looking forward to getting my next round of reads :)
ReplyDeleteYAY! One week down. And what a week it was. Great posts again this year.
ReplyDeleteBut when I comment I keep getting a notice that my post has been blocked. Are you seeing these, Carrie?
I can see your comment here on the front side of the blog, Linda, so no worries! The blog is not being kind to us. I'm sorry. ReFoReMo education and recommendations are still here. Feel free to comment in the FB group if you can't here. :)
DeleteI don't think it's your blog. It's the new google or blogger changes. I get a message that says:
DeleteYour message has been blocked by kirsti.call@gmail.com. See technical details below for more information.
(Underneath that:)
Unauthenticated email from yahoo.com is not accepted due to domain's DMARC policy. Please contact the administrator of yahoo.com domain if this was a legitimate mail.
and I am no longer getting notifications of the new ReFoReMo posts per email. So I get the link in the FB group each day.
Very strange and I don't know how to fix it.
But if you are seeing my comments, then I'll just keep going.
:-)
Linda, we have heard that if you authenticate your yahoo email this will not happen to you. Here are a few posts that might help: https://www.lifewire.com/two-step-authentication-yahoo-1174470 and https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/12/how-enable-two-factor-authentication-yahoo-mail
DeleteMy local librarians are happy to see me leave, taking my mountain of books. I love that this is the way we get to research!
ReplyDeleteAfter this week my list of favorites has grown, as well as ones I MUST definitely own!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated having such a range of books in theme, style, language, and even publication date! It isn't too often that some of the oldies are pulled out to show what makes a good story. I think this underlines the fact that the elements for a good story need to be present even more than word count and topic trends. Absolutely, a writer must "absolutely love what they write!"
Things I noticed as I read the books that made it to my favorite list.
-humor not only makes for fun reading, it helps me remember the story
-when I connected on an emotional level I took my time. I paused and reflected and wondered more.
-I was never confused...the reading was seamless and smooth.
Sincere thanks, Carrie, for all you do for the writing community.
Thanks for sharing your thoughtful reflection, Karen!
DeleteI'm joining late, but I'm on board! Thank you so far for the lists, ideas and insights I've received. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of information but very excited about what's to come. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a great week with a lot of interesting reads. I found one mentor text for a book I'd been working on that wasn't working - it was so exciting to see something that brings to life the framework of what I was trying to figure out, and will help me adjust my approach to what I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteTotally enchanted with Weasels by Elys Dolan. Read to my by world's most adorable First Grader.....Working my way through the 12x12 brackets - some terrific, all interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the first week. I am getting caught up after spending a week with sick kiddos. As to be expected, now mama is the sick one, but at least I don't have to justify sitting on the couch with a few books!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon!
DeleteGreat insight!
ReplyDeleteThis has been a fantastic week. Thanks, Carrie!!
ReplyDeleteI spent the greater part of today organizing my books for the rest of the month. During this time I found myself going back over some of my favorite from the week. :) I've got some new favorites now.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm able to participate this year. I'm really getting a lot out of the challenge.
Thanks Carrie for this great event mentor texts rock and are so important. I look forward to the rest of the posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and to the guests for their great posts. Super first week! My favorite stories are the funny ones and those that play with language. Found a new favorite (Penguin Problems) and liked a couple more after this year's reading (Dragons Love Tacos, for ex.). Can't wait to read more in the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteEvery day this week I spent some time reading, writing, and creating. Thank you for an excellent first week of ReFoReMo.
ReplyDelete~Suzy Leopold
Hooray, Suzy!
DeleteThanks, Carrie, for this fantastic first week of insightful posts. I've maxed out my holds at the library and I have some new favorites! I'm looking forward to the rest of the ReFoReMo month!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! Great week 1 posts. I enjoyed reading Nanette's Baguette.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great first week!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed this first week- So many incredible, inspiring mentor texts! Looking forward to next week! Thanks very much!
ReplyDeleteI am loving this. The recommendations are excellent--and I realized I almost wrote the same story as Horrible Bear. (Good and bad realization at the same time--so thanks, Carrie, for the reading list!). Looking forward to tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been amazed by how many of these stories inspire me to write something of my own, and that's one of the great joys (and benefits) of reading mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love it when an "ah-ha" occurs!
DeleteThank you for this reminder about HOW to apply all this research. We're doing this to find works that we identify with...works that inspire us...works that we want to read and reread. Seeing you write out the question of "what speaks to us," I'm reminded to consider with each new mentor text what I do or do not appreciate or like. So far, I'm connecting with humor, but I wouldn't say that's something I've necessarily written any more than any other type of book. I also have found that I want to diversify my writing, trying lyrical prose (I know I could do that well, though I haven't yet tried). I'm thinking about gathering some writing prompts to trigger new adventures based on my mentor text research. Thank you for this opportunity and community. I can see a lot of growth in myself and my colleagues.
ReplyDeleteYour deep thought is evident which means you will truly benefit! Happy dance!
DeleteThanks, Carrie. It's been a good week. I wasn't able to find all the recommended books but read 25! Looking forward to next week.
ReplyDeleteI love studying picture books for their humor and heart. Thanks to everyone for the amazing lists this week. Carrie and Company, I think you and ReFoReMo "are pretty great!" :)
ReplyDeleteThanks to the first week of this, my son and I have a nice list of books to look for on our next trip to the bookstore. =)
ReplyDeleteI have piles of library books in my house now! It's illuminating to see which books my kids (almost 5 and 2.5) ask me to read again. Best Frints is number 1!
ReplyDeleteWow, the first weeks have flown by. Thanks Carrie for your insight. I love the idea of mentor texts setting the mood music for our own writing.
ReplyDeleteA fantastic book list and wonderful mission: to find what fires me up in the books I love.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the inspiration and lovely excuse to just indulge in getting my nose buried in great stacks and stacks of stories.
ReplyDeleteMaria Johnson
Thank you, Carrie. I don't know how I'll ever keep up. So many books to read, but I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteGlad I joined ReFoReMo. I've made it this years goal to read PB's in search of a mentor text that speaks to me. Thank you Carrie.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Lisa!
DeleteGreat first week. I certainly will ask myself these questions to find out what elements I like.
ReplyDeleteSo many amazing books. I get so excited every time I go to the reserved books shelf at my library and see my new pile.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteGreat week #1 - good books, good discussion. Ages ago I started a notebook for books... when I read a PB I love I jot down notes about what I like. IF it's one I think could be a mentor text for a future project I do a book map or even just write the text, spread-by-spread with notes about illustrations. That helps me later when I want to remember pacing/page turns, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou rock, Sue!
DeleteWhat a great way to push myself to read more. Thanks for this course
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Sara! So glad you decided to study with us this year!
DeleteI discovered that I enjoy funny picture books the most, and also more simple ones. Some picture books feel too long to me (maybe too wordy).
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful week! Thank you, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Carrie! I look forward to these posts and love reading about others reading recommendations!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - Thank you for this wonderful challenge! It's my first time participating and I'm learning so much from the mentor texts and blog posts. One of my favorite parts of the challenge is that I've been introduced to several books that I may not have chosen myself, but really enjoyed after reading. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteYes, Allison! And what's more- sometimes it takes 3-5 reads of a book, at different intervals, different moods, to finally realize the whole book's purpose and reach. I love that process!
DeleteThank you, Carrie! I'm discovering so much about picture books this time around and keeping up much better than I did last year. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Such great questions to ask myself as I read. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice!! Thank you, Carrie for this & all of your hard work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maria! Guess what's on our study plate at school right now? Animals! You know what that means? Coyote Moon!
DeleteI've re-read a few favorites and discovered some new ones. Thanks for a stimulating and productive week!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, thank you so much for doing this - so great to find new favorites, and rediscover, and uncover new things about, old favorites. So many books, so little time!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carrie, what a wonderful week it has been! There are so many wonderful books to discover, and rediscover, and I thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the motivation, Carrie! This is always so much fun - immersing myself in PBs and learning so much as I go!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all that you and Kirsti do to put ReFoReMo together, Carrie! I learned so much last year and can't wait for the rest of the posts.
ReplyDeleteI love ReFoReMo! It was a great first week and I know it'll only get better. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLike many others have gleaned from your post, I particularly like your pointing out, "When you start paying attention to what you enjoy reading the most, you’ll get a glimpse at what you may love writing, too. And you should absolutely love what you write!" Great advice.
ReplyDeleteHave fun exploring, Judy! And not just this month, but always!
DeleteThis has been a great week! I created a worksheet that I use to record what does and does not work for me in these mentor texts and sketch out my own ideas inspired by each book. It has been so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I cannot tell you how much fun I've had this week with all the amazing posts, commentary between friends, and awesome mentor texts to research. It's been wonderful! I have learned so much! One of my most cherished takeaways so far is the importance of a writer's notebook. It's some work to go beyond one's emotional reaction to a book, but I have been trying to delve just a little and I am already discovering patterns in what I like and what really moves me. This year that I have really worked with my writing, instead of just having that be a dream for the future, I have discovered that the journey is really for myself, for getting to know myself as a person, and it has been amazing. Best of luck to all of you in your own journeys!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Ledys! The notebook is like gold!
DeleteFantastic first week! I'm still catching up with the reading but intend to read them all. I find your statement about paying "attention to what you enjoy reading the most, you’ll get a glimpse at what you may love writing" to be absolutely true.
ReplyDeleteI have found so many great books this past week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carrie, for your words of wisdom & for being the inspiration, and one of the two main laboring oars, piloting this book-filled journey forward.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Patricia! Journey onward!
DeleteAs always, I'm finding a gold-mine of information this year! Love this process and only wish we did it TWICE a year... (Hint??) Keep the posts coming! I'll keep reading!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha and woah! :) We do have monthly challenges to keep you going year 'round. I hope those are also helpful to you, Juliann! We have some other ideas for the future, so I'll have to remember your excitement if they ever come to fruition. It's been tougher this year as I teach full time again. So happy to see that you are back!
DeleteMy kids were on vacation this week so it was a tough week for writing BUT it was a great week for reading mentor texts!!!! So many wonderful books. Happy dance in progress 😊
ReplyDeleteI am new to ReFoReMo, and this past week has been incredible! I have been able to read most of the books this first week. I am SO thankful for ReFoReMo, and a library that lets me check out up to 75 books at one time ;-)
ReplyDeleteHooray, Robin! So happy you are here and ReFoReMo has been valuable for you!
DeleteThanks to the first week of reforemo, my son and I have a nice list of books to look for on our next outing to the bookstore. =)
ReplyDeleteThis process is confirmation of what I thought I knew about myself. The most important elements to me, for my own writing, are humor, fresh perspective, word choice, and a satisfying ending. When I see those elements in a book, I love it - when I don't, I'm not satisfied.
ReplyDeleteGreat confirmation, Susie, and thanks for sharing!
DeleteI started reading mentor texts about a year ago. There's so much to learn from other authors. And I appreciate the insights of other readers, who often point out elements that I might not notice.
ReplyDeleteOh Carrie, this was a wonderful first week and I did find a few books I had not seen before and connected with two outside of the list, while I was hunting for the presenter's book list. All in all a fun time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic, action-packed first week! I got a bit behind because I was getting ready to attend a conference, working on creating business cards and my first website. I'm finally caught up on the posts and am reading lots of the mentor texts. And I bought new ones to read at my conference!! Thank you, Carrie :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a lovely stack of books to read and think about now! Reading new books always opens my eyes to other ways of exploring my own story ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis is has been a wonderful ReFoReMo week, Carrie! You set a trend with your generosity and championing of picture book reading and writing (and PB readers and writers!). Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great reflection of a very helpful first week. This is my first time participating in ReFoReMo and now I understand why so many writerly friends recommended it. Thanks so much for such a valuable resource!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opening week full of great books and great advice. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for organizing this! This is the first time I'm doing it and I'm learning so much and enjoying reading lots of books that are new to me and revisiting some old friends, too.
ReplyDeleteThis has been FANTABULOUS! I knew I'd be out of town this past weekend, so ordered a TON of books from my library and began reading. I noticed that I didn't want to read The Airport Book - didn't look interesting to me. When I got home, after flying Denver-Houston and back within 3 days, I read the book. AND LOVED IT. My experience was so fresh and she captured it in all the complexity and fun SO WELL! Just goes to show you never know when a PB will surprise you. So far, I've loved every single one and done a TON of laughing out loud. THANK YOU and big CYBERHUG!!
ReplyDeleteI am always looking for new picture books to read, so the lists are great, and it's so helpful to focus on different aspects as I read. Thanks so much for organizing all of this!
ReplyDeleteThis challenge is really helping make reading picture books as important as my writing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm very much enjoying this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRee
That was a whole lot of reading going on...off to a great start! Thanks for all you do to make this happen!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning so much reading books I might not otherwise pull off the shelves at the library. Enjoying the exposure. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKeeping up with the reading - did 5 books at the airport bookstore yesterday on the way to help sister in law with surgery! Love the on line encouragement and lists. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteMy pile of books is growing, I really need to catch up. Thanks so much for doing this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great first week of ReFoReMo! Reading and enjoying these mentor texts has brought me back to the roots of my love for children's literature. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Carrie, thanks for ReFoReMo! This is my first time and I'm enjoying the mentor texts and learning so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie and Kirsti! I'm looking forward to going through all of the books listed in the first week again - slowly this time.
ReplyDeleteWhew! I'm glad to hear that was the busiest week. I struggled to keep up. BUT I'm plugging along! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis has been a great motivator to go beyond what I usually pull off the shelves at the library!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a week of informative posts. I'm looking forward to the rest of the month!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carrie! I'm trying to get caught up...reading like crazy! What a great month. I've been looking forward to this for a while!
ReplyDeleteIt's laugh out loud books that do it for me, along with plenty of layers for children and adult readers alike. Thanks for a great first week!
ReplyDeleteA great first week that jump starts the month. Thanks, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for a great week! My books are piled up at home. (and even work!) It's also great to discover titles new to me!
ReplyDeleteMy plan was to read all picture book biographies and nonfiction. But I'm too curious about some of the books that have been mentioned this week. I may have to rotate. Piles of books everywhere. :)
ReplyDeleteI am thoroughly enjoying this and learning quite a bit. I didn't realize just how out of date I was with more recently released books. My teaching days were about a decade ago and my mentor texts were the ones I already owned. What fun to read and learn from the new stuff! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed rereading some books that I have read before finding new insights each time. I have also loved being exposed to new titles. I have found that I have developed a taste for biographical picture books as I have seen the creativity in how biographies can be told.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder to choose words as carefully in rhyme as I might in prose.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best things I've done this last year is to start using Goodreads. It's really helped me remember and find titles after I've read them! Reading a lot of great mentor texts is good, but the titles/authors can be hard to remember when you're older : )
ReplyDeleteCarrie, again, thank you so much for organizing this amazing month of reading! I really enjoy learning about such a wide variety of high quality books, and thinking about how they connect to my own writing practice. Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I was called away this past week with the early arrival of another grandchild, but I'll be catching up within the next few days. The extra buffer days are going to be much needed! Thanks again for sponsoring such a good line-up these last few years. Gotta run... gotta read!
ReplyDeleteFantastic week of reading and research, delving deep, and ah-ha moments. Thank you, Carrie, for pulling it all together!
ReplyDeleteSince I've mainly been reading nonfiction PBs of late, it was very educational and entertaining for me to read through this great variety of books.
ReplyDeleteFor about 10 years, I was reading 5 books per night at bedtime. These newer books would have been so much fun to read.
Also, recently, I have heard from a few editors who have asked "Do you illustrate?" I learned a lot through the very different illustration styles, and realised that simple is sometimes the best.
This is such a fun experience. Thank you!
This is my first ReFoReMo and I'd like to thank you, Carrie, for putting it together. As a first and second grade reading/LA teacher, I read a lot of books but this is helping me to look at picture books with an eye towards MY writing. Of course, I'm getting new ideas for my classes too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration to read so many great picture books! So many titles I have never read before. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThere have been a ton of great mentor texts so far, but what I've loved most have been the glimpses of how to use books to inspire writing with current projects. This is a whole new way to think about reading and writing for me. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, this is my third year and I've never enjoyed the challenge more.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn towrd the funny. Many of the picture books were humorous. Great selection this week.
ReplyDeleteFantastic week, Fantastic posts, thank you, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI love being handed great books. What a treat this week has been.
ReplyDeleteThis is my third year in ReFoReMo and I found I cannot stop reading and analyzing picture books during the year. The month expands unto a year round habit. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great learning experience.
ReplyDeleteSimple, yet such good advice. Thank you for a great first week!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, since I was gone last week I am catching up by working backwards. I have in fact come across many mentor texts that will work for a few of my manuscripts as comps. I have also gained new knowledge in editing my ms's and critiquing others. You and Kirsti are kidlit angels for putting this together every year. Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these posts. I have been slowly working my way through the recommended books - and found lots of new books to love already!
ReplyDeletea little behind, but better late than never! some great books so far!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carrie. I love stories that make me laugh or even cry. I like stories that evoke emotion or that teach a little bit of something, or are just simply heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteA few of the books mentioned up to this point that I especially like: Shh! We Have a Plan; The Forgetful Knight; The Library; I Yam a Donkey. There are so many to love!
Yes on reading widely! Some of the texts make me itch to write something just as wonderful. Others leave me feeling, "Huh?" The beauty of the process of finding MY mentor texts. Thank you for all of this!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, I got started on REFoReMo a little late, but I'm already buried in books to read. Thanks for your insightful comments.
ReplyDeleteThis year I am printing out each day's offering then pasting it into a notebook and adding my own notes as I read each and every book. So hoping that I will expand my horizons as a writer as I read, read, read. Again, thank you for all you do to make this happen!
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