Mentor Text Author Study: Revisiting Tim McCanna

 By Keila V. Dawson

Last year I looked at books written by Tim McCanna in an author study and wrote about how his words flow so effortlessly across the page in perfect rhythm and rhyme. And how his storytelling engages young audiences through fun word play.  

In his latest release, DINOSONG, illustrated by Richard Smythe, McCanna's young audience follows prehistoric dinosaurs on an adventure-filled day.

McCanna uses onomatopoeia to make the text active and engaging. And the sparse text, accompanied by bright, playful illustrations, adds a visual narrative to complete the storytelling. There are many books about dinosaurs and McCanna finds a fresh approach to the topic for kids who love them.

Chip.
Chop.
Flip.
Flop.
Shatter.
Scatter.
Smack.

What a fun read aloud!

 IN A GARDEN, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro, follows a year in the life of a community garden. 

This book includes all life – the different plants, insects, and people that help the garden grow. Stunning illustrations zoom in and out to highlight change. The story is a wonderful example of story structure that comes full circle using the cycle of life in the natural and human worlds. And it has such a clever ending!

Spring…

"In the earth

a single seed

sits beside a millipede."

Summer…

"Blooms of every shape and size

 call to bees and butterflies."

Winter…

"Time goes by  

and by

and then...”

Fall…

 life returns 

to start

again."

Once again, Tim McCanna shows off his mastery of lyrical storytelling with sparse text and precise word choice that keeps younger readers engaged on every page.