Wednesday, September 23, 2015

PBParty 10: ANBU, PB

Title: ANBU
Genre: Picture Book
Word Count: 580

Query:

Dear Michelle and Sharon,

I am sending for your review my picture book manuscript ANBU, an exotically heartwarming tale of friendship and art set in India.

Growing and changing are wonderful, and Anbu the elephant wants to keep all of the wonderful. Forever. But no matter how hard he tries, he just can't remember everything. Then, he happens upon Riya, a little girl who is painting in her yard. She hands the brush to Anbu, and they begin to create memories together through art—including marching in the magnificent painted elephant parade in Jaipur.

ANBU stands apart from other currently available picture books about India because it doesn’t present a folktale/religious retelling or have an informative feel. Instead, the beauty and traditions of Northern India are incorporated naturally within the context of character-driven story with which readers of all ages and backgrounds can identify.

I am on staff with the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of SCBWI, where I run our regional blog, Eastern Penn Points, (http://easternpennpoints.wordpress.org) and plan local events. I lead a critique group in the Lancaster, PA area, which includes published and aspiring authors. As a Limited English Proficiency instructor in the Virginia school system, I had the privilege of working with young immigrants from all over the world, including several from India. One of my students spoke very little, but drew wonderful pictures to communicate with me. She is the inspiration for Riya, the human character in this story.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration, and for offering this wonderful contest!


First 50 Words:

The world was always making itself new, and Anbu loved it. But sometimes, Anbu wanted to remember how things used to be.

While he danced in the warm, monsoon rains, he still wanted to curl up in Mama’s trunk like he had on chilly nights. When the butterfly popped out of Caterpillar’s sack, Anbu trumpeted—

3 comments:

  1. I really want to see this one! Please send query + manuscript to Rebecca@goldenwheatliterary.com

    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the unique approach to India presented in your premise. Please send the query and manuscript to cedarfort.submittable.com/submit. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'd be happy to take a look! Please send a query and the manuscript to chquery [at] mcintoshandotis [dot] com.

    ReplyDelete