Well-worn Topic? Try a Fresh Approach!

​Have you ever felt that sinking feeling when you get a brilliant idea for a new picture book, only to do a quick internet search and discover the topic has already been covered? I have. Many times. Does this mean you should toss the idea in the waste basket? Maybe not.

​The quote from Ecclesiastes is true, there is “nothing new under the sun.” Some topics, like bedtime, the start of school, the joy of reading books, etc., have been covered over and over and over again. Nothing new there. What is new is how you approach the subject. Can you bring a fresh voice or twist to that well-worn topic? If so, then there may be space in the picture book market for YOUR unique take.

One book that recently blew me away with its creative approach to a popular topic is Carter Higgins, round and round the year we go. I was lucky enough to be in a debut group, Picture the Books, with Carter back in 2017, when her first book This is Not a Valentine, and my book Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmer’s Market released. It’s been a pleasure to watch Carter hone her unique voice and bright, bold style as an illustrator.

​The topic of round and round the year we go is the months of the year. A quick search of “picture books about the months of the year” reveals a stack of titles, old and new, including books by picture book legends Maurice Sendack, Chicken Soup with Rice, and Leo Lionni, A Busy Year. Did this stop Carter? NO!

​And thank goodness it didn’t. round and round the year we go is a fresh, lively read that is sure to be loved along with the classics. How does Carter do it?
 
For one, Carter’s rollicking rhythm is SO FUN to read aloud. Carter uses (mostly) trochee feet, where the first syllable is stressed and the second unstressed. (Think DUM-da.) Here is a section of Carter’s text which I’ve scanned to show the meter:

 IC y - AIR where - SNOW flakes - VA ry
BRAN ches - BARE in - JAN u - AR y
BOOTS in - PAIRS and - SLED to - CAR ry

This falling rhythm creates the feeling of tumbling down a hill. It bounces readers joyfully from month to month. (For more information on using the trochee foot, see THIS RHYME DOCTORS’ POST  by Eileen Meyer.)
 
Carter also uses unexpected word choice paired with poetic devices such as consonance and assonance to describe typical seasonal activities.

For example, she calls February’s groundhog a “shadow-wary visionary.” (Notice the “w” consonance “a” assonance.) And November’s bare trees “empty timber.” (Notice the “t” consonance.) (For more on using poetic devices to enliven your writing, see THIS POST on assonance and THIS POST on consonance, both by Eileen Meyer.)

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Finally, Carter uses personification to creatively introduce several of the months/seasons. For example, “march leaps in for spring to start,” and “winter whispers fuzzy hugs.” (For more information on how personification can pep up your story see THIS POST by Eileen Meyer.) 
 
I’m definitely adding Carter Higgins round and round the year we go to my shelf of mentor texts. It’s a great reminder that sometimes all an OLD topic needs is your NEW and unique voice!

-RHYME DOCTOR Michelle Schaub