Yesterday I went to a fun event at Eagle Harbor Books on Bainbridge Island. I got to help celebrate the publication of Turkey Tot, a new picture book written by George Shannon and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann.
The afternoon was extra special because George and Jennifer are my friends, and because Turkey Tot is Jennifer's first book. Yay!
Jennifer is also my A+++ critique partner, along with the fabulous Dawn Simon. The three of us form a troika (you can look that one up), meeting every other week to read each other's rough drafts.
We find ways to make our writing stronger, and sometimes Jen brings her illustration sketches. That's super fun!
Turkey Tot tells the story of four friends: Chick, Pig, Hen, and Turkey Tot, who's "been different since the day he hatched."
Turkey Tot is determined to get those blackberries the four friends can't reach, and you know what? It turns out that being different might be just the excellent thing they need.
The dialogue in Turkey Tot features talking animals, of course. They sound exactly how I imagine Chick, Pig, Hen, and Turkey Tot would talk if I came across them in the barnyard.
Have you written a story with talking animals? Give it a try. Pick two of your favorite animals and let them star in your story. Your dialogue can be silly or serious, clever or crafty.
As Turkey Tot would say--well, check out the funny, wonderful Turkey Tot and you'll see!
