Today we continue the Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep series with a magical essay by author April Pulley Sayre. Thank you, April.
My
goal in life is to share wonder.
My daily life is steeped in mud and toads and wildflowers and
adventures in rain forests. So I guess when you ask about how writing and
illustrating nonfiction is personal, I think: How could writing and
illustrating nonfiction not be personal?
adventures in rain forests. So I guess when you ask about how writing and
illustrating nonfiction is personal, I think: How could writing and
illustrating nonfiction not be personal?
Nonfiction authors are telling you about their love of the real
world. They are exploring the home we live in, the sunsets that make our hearts
swell, the plants that supply our food, the government and history that can
cradle or crush our children’s future and dreams. Nonfiction celebrates the
life that supports us, from smiles to cells.
world. They are exploring the home we live in, the sunsets that make our hearts
swell, the plants that supply our food, the government and history that can
cradle or crush our children’s future and dreams. Nonfiction celebrates the
life that supports us, from smiles to cells.
Of course, a story, a narrative, can spark connection. But so
can a photo, a fact, a thought, an idea. These non-narrative forms can inspire curiosity
and help us understand where we are on the map of the world.
can a photo, a fact, a thought, an idea. These non-narrative forms can inspire curiosity
and help us understand where we are on the map of the world.
Connection is the basis of wonder. It is not just a childhood
thing. It is what keeps us going even in hard times in life. Even grownups
crave that puddle-jumping joy, that stop-and-stare curiosity, that spellbound
sense that we are part of a larger picture.
thing. It is what keeps us going even in hard times in life. Even grownups
crave that puddle-jumping joy, that stop-and-stare curiosity, that spellbound
sense that we are part of a larger picture.
Perhaps
it appears that my 2019 books are about flowers, lizards, and questions. But
here I’ll let slip the secret keywords—their hidden book vibes.
it appears that my 2019 books are about flowers, lizards, and questions. But
here I’ll let slip the secret keywords—their hidden book vibes.
Bloom Boom = Exuberance. Kick-starting joy.
Like a Lizard = Goofy imitation. Surprise. Delight.
Did You Burp? How to
Ask Questions (Or Not) = Uh Oh Mistakes. Trial and error.
Empowerment. Inquiry.
Ask Questions (Or Not) = Uh Oh Mistakes. Trial and error.
Empowerment. Inquiry.
Yes,
what makes nonfiction live and breathe is voice and emotion. Bloom
Boom is a long lasting bouquet of flowers. Perhaps someone will give
it for Valentine’s Day or some other holiday. It is a happy book, a simple read
aloud celebrating the colorful unfolding of mass blooms in the wild and in
gardens. It has unseen roots, as flowers do.
what makes nonfiction live and breathe is voice and emotion. Bloom
Boom is a long lasting bouquet of flowers. Perhaps someone will give
it for Valentine’s Day or some other holiday. It is a happy book, a simple read
aloud celebrating the colorful unfolding of mass blooms in the wild and in
gardens. It has unseen roots, as flowers do.
There are places I danced with author friends among roads
surrounded by bluebells. There are pathways that I yearly climb with love for
the returning trillium bloom.
surrounded by bluebells. There are pathways that I yearly climb with love for
the returning trillium bloom.
Yet the book also has images taken on road trips when my
family was propelling itself through grueling grief, and photos I took while
struggling to strengthen after a surgery. There are photos that make me long for my mom and grandma,
who loved and showed me the flowers of the world.
family was propelling itself through grueling grief, and photos I took while
struggling to strengthen after a surgery. There are photos that make me long for my mom and grandma,
who loved and showed me the flowers of the world.
Yes, there is emotion flowing through the
craft of nonfiction. Just see me try to read Thank You, Earth without
getting teary and you’ll know that for sure.
craft of nonfiction. Just see me try to read Thank You, Earth without
getting teary and you’ll know that for sure.
For the reader, though, I want these books to fly without me
hovering over them and dictating what they should think or feel. I always
wonder about the songwriter problem. You know: when you love a song, and it
means something to you on a deep level. But then you hear the songwriter talk
about it, and it means something different to them, and it kind of messes up
what that song has become in your life and heart.
hovering over them and dictating what they should think or feel. I always
wonder about the songwriter problem. You know: when you love a song, and it
means something to you on a deep level. But then you hear the songwriter talk
about it, and it means something different to them, and it kind of messes up
what that song has become in your life and heart.
My editor, art director, and I pour ourselves into crafting a
book that can sing on its own, without us. We want the reader to have an
experience. That means taking some of the ego out of the book and allowing the
words to suggest, not preach or over explain. Nonetheless, intuitive readers
will find—in the word choice, the rhythm, the way the words flow—exactly how I
feel.
book that can sing on its own, without us. We want the reader to have an
experience. That means taking some of the ego out of the book and allowing the
words to suggest, not preach or over explain. Nonetheless, intuitive readers
will find—in the word choice, the rhythm, the way the words flow—exactly how I
feel.
When I submitted Raindrops
Roll, I felt like my soul was trying to push itself out of my chest. At
that time, this kind of book was new for me—and sort of nuts and experimental.
I had just spent a summer dripping wet, photographing obsessively, and letting
this whole foolish idea unfold. The book was joy—my wonder world, as a child,
and today.
Roll, I felt like my soul was trying to push itself out of my chest. At
that time, this kind of book was new for me—and sort of nuts and experimental.
I had just spent a summer dripping wet, photographing obsessively, and letting
this whole foolish idea unfold. The book was joy—my wonder world, as a child,
and today.
I was scared that my editor would not love it, that she would
not see that this was the world to me. Thankfully, she did.
not see that this was the world to me. Thankfully, she did.
I hope my books will send readers back to the real world with
refreshed eyes. That is the power of nonfiction.
refreshed eyes. That is the power of nonfiction.
Simply
share wonder. That is what I hope to do.
share wonder. That is what I hope to do.
April Pulley Sayre is a photo-illustrator and award-winning author of more
than 65 books, including Warbler Wave, Best in Snow, The Slowest Book
Ever, and Thank You, Earth. Her read aloud picture books are known
for their lyricism and scientific precision. Raindrops Roll was an
ALA Notable and a NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book. Eat Like a Bear and Rah,
Rah, Radishes are among her other ALA Notables.
than 65 books, including Warbler Wave, Best in Snow, The Slowest Book
Ever, and Thank You, Earth. Her read aloud picture books are known
for their lyricism and scientific precision. Raindrops Roll was an
ALA Notable and a NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book. Eat Like a Bear and Rah,
Rah, Radishes are among her other ALA Notables.
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Topics
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5 Responses
Love your books, April!!
April this is such a beautiful post, as deep as your dive into the natural world. Ty for this.
I love Bloom Boom! as well as many of the older books. I look forward to reading April's other 2019 books.
Looking forward to reading your new books!
I love all your books April and I was so glad to read your story here.