Wednesday, September 23, 2015

PB Party 21: HOLA MEANS HELLO, Realistic Fiction PB

Title: Hola Means Hello
Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 626

Query:

Dear Agent,

Max thinks his dad is wrong. He doesn't like their new home. It's walking-on-the-sun hot. There is no grass or snow, only hot dirt and rocks he cannot throw. Worst of all, he has no friends and his robots are lost. Then an old woman knocks on their door. Her words are fast and slippery, like water over rocks. He cannot understand a single word she says, but it seems to Max that knowing or not knowing the words doesn't matter. Hola Means Hello is a picture book about friendship beyond language and love across cultures. It is complete at 626 words.

The book was inspired by a woman who made herself a grandmother figure to my cousin's children despite the fact that they only speak English and she only spoke Italian. She proved, time and again, that language isn't necessary for friendship.

I was born and raised in Arizona, though Indiana is currently home. I "retired" from teaching (6th grade) extra early, and now have the good fortune to be a stay at home mom for my two boys. I'm a member of SCBWI and a participant in the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge. If I'm not writing or reading (or you know, doing mom jobs) I'm probably on my couch in fuzzy socks and sweat pants binging on Netflix. I'm definitely not folding laundry.

Thank you for your time!



First 50 Words:


Dad says I’m going to like it here, but I think he might be wrong.

I don’t have friends here. And it’s hot. Really hot. Walking on the sun hot.

I want to lay in cool green grass, but there isn’t any grass. I want to throw a snowball, but there isn’t any snow.

2 comments:

  1. I like the start of this! Feel free to send the query and manuscript to info @pippinproperties.com. ~Courtney

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  2. I think this concept is wonderful. I'd love to see this! Please send the query and manuscript to LBiagi (at) jvnla (dot) com with #PBParty in the subject line. Looking forward to reading! -Laura Biagi

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