This Week’s Picture Book – Sir Charlie

Posted on By csoundar


Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Tale of the Terrible Secret


Sir Charlie features in a series of picture books produced by Egmont. It was a recommended read by the editor who worked on  it as an example of character-based picture books. One of the reasons this book was suggested to me was to explain the trend of commercial picture book markets from many angles.


a) In this case, it is created by an author-illustrator. I do come across 2 out of 10 publishers preferring this route.


b) The character is quirky, funny and has certain traits that can be carried into multiple books.


c) If a child enjoys a character, you have enough to provide more books in that series.


d) Commercially, it is more viable to spend money on a picture book series – for marketing, publicity and brand value. It is harder to promote single picture books.


I did like Sir Charlie and I think his other adventures would go down very well too.


So what did I learn then for my own writing? Nothing new, but the teachings from various workshops re-affirmed.


a) Always start with a good character and put them in difficult situations


b) Humour is important for picture books


c) Likeable character, something we want to root for


d) The character should be well-rounded and flawed so we can create more problems for him (or her).


I have 5 completed picture books in my virtual drawer. I have 3 published. 1 to be published. And I realise I have not followed those rules for all except 1. Focussing on the character and creating more stories around them is harder than you think.


Whether it is young picture book series based on well-known famous characters like Spot or slightly older ones with loads of text like Sir Charlie, I think there is a market out there for good characters our children can relate to.


What do you think? Do you have views on series characters for picture books? Share your thoughts with me.


www.chitrasoundar.com
www.chitrasoundar.com

My next picture book

Posted on By csoundar

After a long wait, I have placed a picture book with Indian publisher Pratham Books. Pratham in Sanskrit means “First”.
Pratham have been working as a Non-governmental organisation to put a book in every child’s hand. Indian children do not always get the opportunity to learn to read and write. When they do go to school or lucky enough to have parents who can teach them, they cannot afford the books that most 1st world kids take for granted.
While there is no dearth of creativity, there is a certain reluctance to waste time on fiction. It is not always understood that fiction is the channel of growth. When schools and councils are struggling to find money for text-books, there is no argument when it comes to fiction.
I am so proud to be a part of that movement. I will be very happy when many eager children read my story and enjoy it. While I want to  be someone like Julia Donaldson and have millions of your young readers buying Gruffalo and equally rewarding is the other spectrum where thousands of kids will read my book and all I get from it is the satisfaction, the knowledge that someone smiled from reading my book.
Pratham Books have been very selective in their content creation and I am very glad that their editorial team loved my book.
Here is to a new beginning  – a new relationship with Pratham Books.

Visit www.chitrasoundar.com 

www.chitrasoundar.com