PBParty 14: I AM NOT A BUTTERFLY, Humorous fic/info PB

Title: I AM NOT A BUTTERFLY

Genre: Humorous/"fic- informational" picture book

Word count: 517 words

Query:

Dear Awesome Agent:

I am querying you because of your interest in humorous picture books with animals. I hope this manuscript’s read-aloud potential with nonfiction woven throughout will match your interests.

What starts off as a case of mistaken identity for just-your-average Moth quickly turns into a battle of frustration as he tries to convince them he is not, in fact, a butterfly. When a real butterfly flutters on the scene, Moth must convince the other animals that he doesn’t have to be the same as a butterfly to be awesome, too.

I Am NOT a Butterfly offers a high-energy read aloud for ages 3-6 with bits of facts sprinkled within this 517-word picture book. This manuscript also includes back matter with facts about each of the commonly mis-associated animal pairs mentioned within the story. Readers who loved Dev Petty’s I Don’t Want to Be a Frog (Doubleday, 2015) and Cece Bell’s I YAM a Donkey (Clarion, 2015) will enjoy this book’s varied voices and dialogue structure.

I am a SCBWI member, a participant of Julie Hedlund’s 12x12, regular participant in PiBoIdMo, and active in a critique group. I was a Round 1 panelist in the 2014 Cybils Awards. I have additional manuscripts, including picture book biographies and historical fiction. I also participated in the SCBWI Carolinas 2015 Mentor Program.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

First 50 words:

A butterfly!                                                                                   

Who? Me?                                                                   

Yeah, you! Hey, butterfly!                                               

You must be thinking of someone else. I’m not a butterfly.

Sure you are.                                                                   

You have antennae. 

And wings. 

And you’re flying, aren’t you?

Yes, but ladybugs have antennae and wings and fly, too. 

You wouldn’t call me a ladybug, right?

Don’t be silly. You’re a butterfly!