Happy March 5th,
everyone! Not only do I have the privilege of being a guest educator today, but
I’m also celebrating the release of my debut picture book, When Grandma Gives
You a Lemon Tree, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha! Woo-hoo!
In many picture books, including my debut, second person POV is used to teach, guide or instruct the reader how to (or how not to) do something in a fun and interactive way and often (but not always) includes humor to help tell the story and engage readers. The first draft of When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree was written in second person and although I tried writing it several different ways (which I’d recommend doing before committing to a POV), the second person version was always my favorite.
In my book, the narrator (author) speaks to “you” (character in the book). As you continue to research picture books written in second person, you may also notice books where the narrator (author) speaks to you (the reader) or the character in the book (narrator) speaks to you (the reader).
While doing research for my
book, I noticed that a growing number of authors, who were using second person
POV and humor to tell their stories, were coming out with sequels or a series. One
of the authors I studied was Jean Reagan and her series, illustrated by Lee
Wildish, which started with a grandpa book and continued to include books
featuring Grandma, Santa, a teacher, and a ghost.
How to Babysit a Grandpa (2012)
How to Babysit a Grandpa (2012)
How to Babysit a Grandma (2014)
How to Catch Santa, How to
Surprise a Dad (2015)
How to Get Your Teacher Ready,
How to Raise a Mom (2017)
How to Scare a Ghost (2018)
(Jean announced on her website
that she has another book in this series coming soon!)
I was inspired by Jean’s series
and since I already had a grandma book, I thought it made sense to have a
grandpa book, too. Luckily, my editor and the team at Sterling Publishing agreed!
My second book, When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox, will be out in 2020!
Here are five more authors who have written humorous picture books in second person and have either added a second book or created a series. As you read these books, think about what makes them so appealing to kids and/or the adults who have continued purchasing them over an extended period of time.
Books
by Elise Parsley:
If You Ever Want to Bring an
Alligator to School, Don’t! (2015)
If You Ever Want to Bring a
Piano to the Beach, Don’t! (2016)
If You Ever Want to Bring a
Circus to the Library, Don’t! (2017)
If You Ever Want to Bring a
Pirate to Meet Santa, Don’t! (2018)
Books
written by Jason Carter Eaton, illustrated by John Rocco:
How to Train Your Train (2013)
How to Track a Truck (2016)
Books
written by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Goro Fujita:
Your Alien (2015)
Your Alien Returns (2016)
Books
written by Julie Glassman, illustrated by Andy Elkerton:
Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the
Library (2016)
Do Not Take Your Dragon to
Dinner (2017)
Books
written by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott:
There’s a Monster in Your Book
(2017)
There’s a Dragon in Your Book
(2018)
Now, I’m not saying that every
humorous picture book written in second person needs a sequel or a series, but
it can’t hurt to keep an open mind about where your first book might take you. What?
You want me to give you five more picture book titles that are excellent
examples of stories written in second person and use humor to engage readers?
Good thing I came prepared. Enjoy!
Be Glad Your Dad is Not an
Octopus (2016) by Matthew Logelin and Sara Jensen, illustrated by Jared Chapman
If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed
(2017) by Denise Vega, illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
And a here's a bonus: Dragons Get Colds Too by Rebecca Roan, illustrated by Charles Santosa
Jamie is offering a signed copy of her debut book, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree. To be eligible for prizes throughout the challenge, you must be registered by March 4, comment on each post, consistently read mentor texts, and enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the conclusion of ReFoReMo.
Jamie L. B. Deenihan is a
teacher and picture book author who lives in Suffield, Connecticut with her
husband, two children, and a growing collection of lemon trees. Her upcoming
picture books include, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree (Sterling/March 5,
2019), When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox (Sterling/Spring 2020), The New Bird in
Town (Avenue A Books, June 2019), Tooth Fairy VS. Santa (Penguin Workshop, Fall
2019), and Tooth Fairy VS. Easter Bunny (Penguin Workshop, Spring 2020). Connect with Jamie on Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram @jlbdeenihan, or through her website
www.jamiedeenihan.com
Great examples to study!Thanks#
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! Happy reading!
DeleteWhat a fantastic list of PBs to search for! My YA novel (nearly finished) is written partly in 2nd person - I love writing in that POV, but have oddly never thought to use it for a PB. I'll have to give it a go. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s great to try mss out in various POVs! Good luck with your nearly finished novel!!
DeleteI dig picture books with a second person point of view. Thanks for introducing me to some new ones. Loved the Ten Rules for Birthday Wishes.
ReplyDeleteTen Rules is SO fun!!!
DeleteThis looks like a great list to research. Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome! Happy reading!
DeleteI feel like second person POV is the hardest to pull off. I can't wait to read When Grandma gives you a lemon tree!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely has its challenges!
DeleteGreat post Jamie. It's always interesting to see how much research goes into all aspects of a manuscript, including POV. I hope you know how happy I am for you and your success!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane!!! I do know how happy you are because you have been so supportive! Love our PBBC family!!!
DeleteLoved your post and example books, Jamie! Congrats on your sequel!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina!
DeleteCongrats, Jamie, on your debut today! Lots of good 2nd person mentor texts out there to study, and it looks likes they are popular. I do have a 2nd POV interactive informational PB that I'm shopping around.
ReplyDeleteOoh I can’t wait to see your 2nd POV interactive informational PB on the shelves someday!
DeleteThis collection was a lot of fun to read & I agree, there seems to be a trend for more 2nd POV books. I thought the "Train your Train" & "Train Your Truck" books were very clever & in fact, reminded me a lot about puppy training :) Plus the illustrations were over the top and added to the rich content. Thx for pulling these fun reads out! And much congrats on your own bookbaby!
ReplyDeleteYes, Train Your Train does feel like a pet owners manual! Happy reading!
DeleteWow! You've got a wonderfully busy year of book launches! Thanks for taking the time to write this post and enjoy your book birthday today!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! It was an honor to be a guest for ReFoReMo!!
DeleteHow I love a well done 2nd POV PB! Thanks for sharing so many great ones and congrats on your success, Jamie.
ReplyDeleteI love 2nd POV PBS, too! I always gravitate to them at bookshops! Happy reading!
DeleteI love these series books!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! They are so much fun! Happy reading!
DeleteThanks for sharing this great collection. I would like to try this format sometime. It looks like a lot of fun and would certainly stretch me as a writer.
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a try! It’s interesting to see how different your ms will feel/sound in different POVs!
Deletethanks so much for all these examples to look up. I've written a 'how to' manuscript and these will be helpful, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteYes!! These are all great mentor texts for a How To book! So glad they are helping you!
DeleteWhat a great selection of second person POV PBs! I love this format and the idea of thinking ahead to a possible series as well. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about a series until I started researching and I saw how much series potential these books had! That’s how my sequel for Lemon Tree evolved!
DeleteLooking forward to reading your books!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you enjoy them!
DeleteThank you for highlighting these books!
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure!!
DeleteJamie! You're spot on about trying out different POVs for our stories. I didn't realize how many books use 2nd person. Thanks for your stellar reading list. I'll be heading to the library tomorrow. How thrilling for you on your debut and your upcoming published works! Congratulations! Bet you're dancing through your days in anticipation. With gratitude for sharing your thoughts and resources. May your writing continue to find success. Blessings...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words! I hope you have a successful month of researching and I can’t wait to see your books on the shelves!!
DeleteWow! How enlightening! Thanks, Jamie! I had no idea there were so many second person. I don’t know that I’d ever seen them “gathered” in one place.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how many there were, too! Happy reading!!
DeleteCongratulations, Jamie, on your debut & sequel! Thank you for your interesting & very informative post!
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome, Patricia!! Happy reading!
DeleteI loved Tammi Sauer's Your Alien! Can't wait to read When Grandma Gives you a Lemon tree. Thank you for a great list, Jamie Deenihan! I may have to attempt to write in 2nd person too.
ReplyDeleteYour Alien is so wonderful!! Thank you for checking out my debut book! I hope you like it! As far as attempting a ms in 2nd person POV...go for it!!!
DeleteI love most of those books, thanks for the list and taking the time to help us :)
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome! Happy ReFoReMo!
DeleteWonderful list of books! I'm referring a friend here now... Thanks so much and can't wait to read your book!
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad the post was helpful, Tracy!
DeleteHappy book birthday, Jamie! Lots of fun titles on this list, I’m excited to dig in. Congratulations on your sequel, too. Woohoo!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy! This week has been very exciting! I’m still on cloud 9 from my book launch, but now I need to get back to writing!!
DeleteThank you for the list. I'll certainly consider second person point of view.
ReplyDeleteIt never hurts to try even though you might find it’s just not the right fit. Good luck!
DeleteI love the premise of your debut book and am looking forward to reading it! Thank you for the extensive list of second person POV stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words about my debut! It was pleasure being a guest on ReFoReMo!
DeleteThis post helps. First person, 2nd person?!?!? Thank you, Jamie.
ReplyDeleteTry them all! Lol Happy reading and writing!!
DeleteCongratulations on your debut! Thanks for this list of fun second person point of view picture books:)
ReplyDeleteI came up with an idea for a 2nd person POV book in this year's StoryStorm month and I haven't quite figured out how to approach writing my first draft, so thank you for recommending all these great mentor texts!
ReplyDeleteI love this title!!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your list for writing in 2nd person, sometimes it helps having a few examples to help along the way.
Happy Book Birthday, Jamie! What a great selection of second person POV picture books.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book birthday! And thanks for the great list.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to put this title on my reading list. thank you.
ReplyDeleteI for to post am looking forward to reading the giraffe story being my maiden name is Longenecker, I have heard all the jokes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great set of examples! It'll be fun to read them all!
ReplyDeleteSo many fab mentor texts on this list. Some favorites and some sure to become favorites. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Teach your Giraffe How to Ski had my kids and I cracking up!
ReplyDeleteExcited for you about your book...I will definitely check out those books written in 2nd person.
ReplyDeleteHave read a few of these and will be getting the rest from the library.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jamie. Your book looks gorgeous! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSo many great titles. While I note some familiar books, I see some new titles. I look forward to reading from this list of humorous picture books.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Jamie, on your book WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE.
Suzy Leopold
Happy Book Birthday! Congratulations! Thanks for the post on 2nd person POV. You are right, there are many books out now written this way. :)
ReplyDeleteJamie! What an incredible list! This is the exact post I needed to read today so thank you! And congrats on your debut!!!!
ReplyDeleteSecond person POV is so much fun to read! thanks for sharing this great list. Singing the Lemon Tree song in celebration for you. :)
ReplyDeleteLove how humor is infused into these real life stories and real life moments!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jamie, for this wonderful selection of humorous 2nd POV PBs. Congratulations on your book!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I find it really hard to write in second person. Looking forward to reading your book.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I love about second person POV books is that many of them end with a leap into another problem.... like the unicorn book, or when you give a mouse a cookie, or dragons and tacos. Their humor can be so wry.
ReplyDeleteI love this format and actually have one on sub. Wish me luck! I read most of your suggestions, but I love reading them over and over! I can't wait to read the ones I haven't yet. Congrats on your book birthday! WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE is such a unique idea! I hope to get it soon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't made the 2nd person/series connection before. This is a great avenue for research. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is an awesome list. Congrats on your debut - I just asked the library to order a copy.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Lots of fun books to read and learn from. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read all of these examples!
ReplyDeleteJamie--congrats! I've been thinking about writing something in this pov, so your post is really helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these examples. There does seem to be a certain style to these books, and yet they're funny and entertaining in different ways.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jamie! You've already helped me fix my WIP. Woo Hoo
ReplyDeleteand Happy BBDAY!
DeleteHere is the updated list for 2nd PPOV Pbs: https://www.facebook.com/notes/reforemo/second-person-pov-mentor-text/1713849182192762/
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great and helpful post, Jamie. And good luck with the sequel of your beautiful debut book!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jamie. Congrats on your debut and sequel (as well as all the other books in the pipeline). These are really fun examples. Of course, there's always the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" series, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive list of How To's! I have lots of reading to do!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your advice about trying out different points of view. I love books told in 2nd person but just haven't been able to do it very well myself. Thank for more suggestions to study.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your books!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThese books are all so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 2nd person POV mentor text list -- and congrats on your debut, Jamie!
ReplyDeleteI love your list of books for second person POV. They are so much fun to read. Happy Book Birthday!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book birthday! Thank you, Jamie, for sharing these mentor texts written in 2nd POV :)
ReplyDeleteThe second person point of view is an interesting way to involve the reader in the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these mentor texts...makes me want to try to write something from the 2nd person POV.
ReplyDeleteThat was a WHOLE LOAD of MUCH ENJOYED reading! Interesting to see the structures in the series examples. I love that you gave us some stand alone examples too though. Enjoyed this today! Thanks a mill x
ReplyDeleteHappy to have this list of 2nd person POV texts to study. I have one ms. that definitely feels better in 2nd person. These should help me get it right! Congrats on your book. I love the title.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list of great books--thank you!
ReplyDeleteA lot of fun books to study today! I can't wait to read about the lemon tree!
ReplyDeleteHappy book birthday! I have never written in this viewpoint, but you have convinced me that I should try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realized all the different ways a PB could be written in 2nd person. Thanks, Jamie. When Grandma Gives... arrived from Amazon today!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and wonderful list of books! I just put your lemon tree book on hold. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love the second person POV books. Nailing down who the "you" is and who is narrating can be tricky (or maybe that's just me?!). Thanks for the list!
ReplyDeleteGreat example titles featuring 2nd person POV. Congratulations on your book! I look forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget one of the earlier ones--IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE which has numerous sequels and inspired others to follow a similar pattern.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new book! I love your list of titles and still have to find and read a couple of them. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have not tried to write in 2nd person POV yet. After studying these books, I might give it a try for my April 12x12 draft. And the very happiest of book birthdays to you Jamie!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these great examples, Jamie, and the reminder to try writing our manuscripts from different POVs. I haven't ever written 2nd person with my PB manuscripts and am excited to try it out!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! Some really great books! And can't wait to read yours! Also, a question: I've often heard people use "meta" in reference to books in which the narrator or MC brings the reader into the book and/or directly talks to the reader. But I've heard others use it only when the book is specifically about the characters in the book referencing the book they are in. Which is correct? Is the term "meta" interchangeable with "second person"?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Some funny stories here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this list! This is just what I needed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comprehensive list. These are fun books, for sure.
ReplyDeleteJamie, It must be a very special time for you to get to mentor us as well as celebrate the debut of your picture book. My heart celebrates with you today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing such an excellent list of books with 2nd person POV. I was wondering if you (or anyone who may see this) know of any published picture books in which the author changes the point of view in the middle of the book (engaging the reader). If so, please comment with the title.
Thanks for the challenge to try writing from different points of view.
Personally, I find the 2nd Person POV challenging to do well, and all of these examples do just that. They were delightful. Thank you for your insights and thank you for this list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post. I have several of these books waiting for me at the library to pick up. I can't wait to read them
ReplyDeleteGood mentor texts for 2nd person POV!
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun reading these. What a great assortment of mentor texts.
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book debut! I will definitely consider writing from the 2nd POV.
I have never considered 2nd POV, because I always thought it was too childish, but I'm having fun with these books, maybe I should reconsider... It will take me a while to get used to it, but I will try.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your debut PB, Jamie! And thanks for sharing so many great examples of using the 2nd person POV. I especially love the humor in YOU DON'T WANT A UNICORN!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book birthday. Point of view is one of those craft lessons I read and reread. Your post helped a lot. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat examples, thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm not a good fit for writing in second person POV, but I enjoy read it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jamie, and thanks for sharing your knowledge today!
ReplyDeleteSo many great books, and I can't wait to see yours.
ReplyDeleteI especially enjoyed, Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great stack of books for today-I loved the humor. I found it fascinating to learn that second person books seem to be found in a number of series. I also noticed many of these books featured those irresistible-to-kids subjects (unicorns! aliens! dragons! monsters! pirates! Santa!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book birthday. Great list of fun and funny books.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! This was very helpful and inspiring. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of books! Thanks for this post and congratulations on your new book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great list of second person POV books. And congrats on your debut!
ReplyDeleteHappy Debut Day! I appreciate this list of second person POV books. I loved the way "How to Surprise a Dad" combined realism and humor.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jamie! After reading 25 (count 'em, 25!) second-person picture books my opinion is that the appeal is how immediate the voice is. It's like a very silly but very earnest friend is sharing their best hints and tips! Thanks for the one day master class!
ReplyDeleteThis has been my favorite day so far. I loved "How to Babysit a Grandpa" and the HOW TO style on what to do. It was so sweet and I loved seeing the connection between generations! I also loved "You DON'T want a Unicorn." My daughter loves unicorns so I think it was especially fun reading that one to her. I'm inspired to try this point of view in my own writing - it allows a lot of room for humor and that's the style of book my family enjoys the most.
ReplyDeleteGahhh I forgot to add my name again. Sorry!
DeleteI feel like I know Second-Person Point Of View better now. I thought "If You Ever Want To Bring A Circus To The Library, Don't" had just the right amount of humor. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut picture book. I look forward to reading it as well as the rest of your recommendations. The ones I have completed so far have been fun. It is interesting to see how second person POV has been used so successfully and to consider how I can apply it to my own writing.
ReplyDeleteI am working on a story now that I think might need to be in 2nd person so I really appreciate the post today. Thank you
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list of books written in the second person. I didn't know there were so many. Can't wait to check them out. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading these books, I certainly feel I have a better grip on something I hadn't quite understood before. Thanks for the starter list of great books! Congrats to you!
ReplyDeleteI love 2nd person POV where the child feels like they are part of the story. "How to get Your Teacher Ready" is great for the beginning of a new school year for the child who is anxious about school. "Be glad your Dad is not an Octopus" is a wonderful book to share between a father and his child/children.
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed diving into the 2nd person POV. It is interesting to watch my kids react to the different types of books. They talk back to these books like they are people. It is lovely to watch.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of your book - I look forward to reading it! I am so enjoying books written in 2nd person. Thanks so much for this post!
ReplyDeleteLove these books. From the matter of fact presentation of the outrageous in the Don’t Take series to the subtly sweet messages in the Your Alien books, the humor is delightful. Congratulations on your new book!
ReplyDeleteI love how 2nd person POV draws the reader in. These texts have helped to define this POV well for my own writing.
ReplyDeleteJamie, Thanks for these lessons on 2nd person POV. I've really enjoyed these books! I'm a teacher as well as an aspiring author. I've shared a few of these with my class and they're enjoying them as well. And congratulations on your success!!
ReplyDeleteThe trend of 2nd person POVs and being series steppingstone is blowing my mind. I had never noticed this but the way it was presented makes sense. Very strategic. I’m loving it (and so are my kids).
ReplyDeleteThank you for all these suggestions It's helpful to have a large list and those grouped by similarities.I feel the 2nd POV brings the reader into the story.
ReplyDeleteToday was one of the posts I was most excited for this year! I love when a book does 2nd person POV well and these are all excellent mentor texts. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this informative post!
ReplyDeleteThese are great examples of PBs in 2nd POV - something I look forward to trying. The market certainly has exploded with books in this style - so it’s obviously popular with children and readers.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderfully extensive list of this popular style. Congrats with your upcoming publications.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thorough list of second person picture books. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a list! I've been toying with a pb that is written in 3rd POV that's just not working. This post has inspired me to go back and try 2nd POV. Off to the library to pick up as many of these as I can find! Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteI find this genre difficult to get right, so it was good to read these books. It's particularly interesting to look at each book as part of a series rather than stand alone. Being able to extend an idea into a series is something I've been working with for board books, but not so much for the picture books I write.
ReplyDeleteThese books are so fun. I've experimented with writing in this POV for several of my manuscripts but haven't had one "stick" yet. Still a useful exercise and we'll see what happens in the future!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see such a rich compilation in one place. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI usually write in third, just started a first person, and am inspired to go play with second! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut picture book! I've read it and it is wonderful! This post makes me want to study all of these books (many I've seen but a bit I haven't yet) and then pick up one of my WIPs that is written in this format. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo excited to hear that she has a second book coming out in 2020. I enjoyed nearly all of these and they reminded me of one of my all-time favorite of these type of books: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. Thanks for the post about 2nd person POV!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jamie! This is a great list. The girls and I have had fun exploring a bunch of these 2nd person POV books.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of second POV! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jamie. I've never thought of writing in second person, yet I am enjoying some of these...maybe a start.
ReplyDeleteThank you and congratulations on all of your success!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Great selections. I've never written in second person. I'll have to consider it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut!!! I love this extensive list. I am working on a 2nd person POV story right now.. and this is a really helpful list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great list. I have all of Elise Parsley's books and love them. Second person definitely draws in the reader. Congrats on your success!
ReplyDeleteI've researched 2nd person quite a bit because it's one of my favorite ways to write. It doesn't fit for many stories, but when it does, it makes the story sing. Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteSuch a useful post and list! I have an MS in second person POV that I am struggling with, and it was inspirational to read all the mentor texts and see you also categorize those by who the narrator and the "you" is.
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize my name wasn't displayed, sorry about that.
DeleteI am writing a second person POV right now so this post and list of resources are appreciated! Congrats on your debut also, Jamie!
ReplyDeleteThis past holiday season, we read and (re-read and re-read) "If You Ever Want to Bring a Pirate to Meet Santa, Don’t!" because it was so funny and unexpected. The second person POV really works. Jamie, congratulations on your debut and on the grandpa book as well!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this selection. "How to" and "You you ever want ....don't" series were so funny! If Your Monster Won't Go to Bed is a huge hit in our house and it's absolutely brilliant.
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of 2nd person PBs. Thanks for sharing these suggestions. Congratulations on your debut and all your upcoming releases, too!
ReplyDeleteExcited to read these selections!
ReplyDeleteHappy book birthday, Jamie! May this be the first of many such happy occasions.
ReplyDeleteSecond person POV seems to be especially popular in the current market. I'm curious as to when this little movement got its start in picture books. Did it occur around the same time as post-modernism, or is it even older? Not all PBs that use this perspective are meant to act as metafiction, but there is definitely a strain of titles that use the perspective to play with the fourth wall (ex: THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES, HAVE I GOT A BOOK FOR YOU).
The "instructional" 2nd person PB probably goes back to the very origins of children's books, those illustrated tomes of Bible stories and good etiquette that sought to impart valuable life lessons to unruly youths. Books like Elise Parsley's series seem to turn this notion on its ear, dealing in the absurd albeit genuine thought processes of the young. (Didn't we all experience a time as kids when we wanted to bring something random and ungainly on a family trip?)
Of all the books I read for this post, my favorite was TEN RULES OF THE BIRTHDAY WISH. As others have said, the 2nd person POV has that special talent of (quietly or noisily) breaking down the barrier between book and reader and drawing the latter into the former. The reader feels as if they're in special communion with the story, like they've just been given an exclusive invitation to a secret world. TEN RULES was wonderful because it took a bit of everyday fantasy (making birthday wishes) and legitimized it with a fanciful "guide book" approach that left room for plenty of humor and a sweet final note reinforcing the power of dreaming.
Thank you for this list! Congratulations on your picture book!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jamie for your POV on POV! I tend to write in the same POV and I am excited to play around with this a little more. Thanks for providing a great list of mentor texts to study and congratulations on When Grandma Give you a Lemon Tree - looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love second person POV, but there were so many on your list I haven't read. Thanks, Jamie!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to explore the 2nd person POV and also series potential bonus thoughts, all while i was sipping a warm honey lemon drink.
ReplyDeleteWhat a useful selection of books to study as I struggle with my own 2nd person ms attempt!
ReplyDeleteYou listed some of my VERY favorite books! And some that I haven't read and will be reading ASAP! Congrats on your books and thanks for these great examples!
ReplyDeleteI love second person point of view and have one to add to your list Bedtime, Daddy! written by me to be released 2020. Which I wrote as an exercise in writing in second person POV. It pays to try different styles. Congratulations
ReplyDeleteon your books too :-).
Thanks for the ideas on second person POV and writing in different POVs to experiment.
ReplyDeleteI never noticed the frequent pattern of humor in 2nd person POV until you pointed it out! My boys loved reading with me from this list, and so interesting to see their responsiveness to this style. Thank you, and congratulations, dear Jamie!
ReplyDeleteGreat examples of 2nd person POV! The library has to love me during ReFoReMo! :)
ReplyDeleteWriting from a different POV is just what I need for my current MS. There is something that creates a closer relationship between the reader and the protagonist with 2nd person POV. Eager to try it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all these 2 person stories - a great list. And congratulations on your budding PB series(es?).
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful selection of books! I always love finding ones I haven't yet read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and super selection of books. Thank you for posting and congratulations on your debut book!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd hardly come across any of these!
ReplyDeleteWow! Who knew there were so many 2nd person "How (not) to" books out there. Thanks for the research and the list.
ReplyDelete-Darcee Freier
Thank you for this opportunity to explore POV further. I loved "There's a Monster in Your Book". Great for helping children who just might be a little scared of a monster in their room at night. Perfect way to empower them to take charge.
ReplyDeleteThis category is really expanding! It's inspiring to see fresh takes even within a series!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these examples! It's almost overwhelming, but it's wonderful to see so many 2nd POV mentor texts to explore.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new book! These 2nd person books are so fun.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut book - and on the many that are on the horizon! I love these 2nd person POV. They are so much fun to read! And it's exciting to see the series potential that comes from a successful first one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these examples!
ReplyDeleteThis was great. Even better was the idea of how to rewrite a story in second person POV. Who knows, an idea that's been haunting me for two years just may have breathed a new life.
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