Look at this illustration. Not quite sure what is happening.
Me either.
That is good.
I just entered this in an SCBWI Carolinas competition. The criterion was simply to create a square format, picture book page turner. This may sound easy, but it is not. It may look easy but looks can be deceiving. Creating and successfully carrying out a hook is hard. Oh, did I mention, no text is allowed.
How do you establish a cliffhanger with a single image and no text? You make it compelling enough to entice children to want to know more.
Some of you have seen this little penguin character of mine, named Steve. Steve shows up a lot. It really is not surprising to see him here as he has a strong sense of adventure. But in this illustration is Steve being brave or stupid?
I’ve read that bravery is when one jumps in the sea to save another and stupidity is when one jumps in the sea to save another without knowing how to swim. Steve is an excellent swimmer but I doubt if he knows anything about pulling shark’s teeth.
If stupidity is acting bravely for a selfish reason and bravery is acting stupid for a selfless reason, I would venture to say that Steve is being brave to help Sharkie with his loose tooth. But if Sharkie turns on him, Steve ends up being a stupid lunch.
So which one is it, bravery or stupidity. The answer is found in the outcome.
You have to turn the page.
Yay!
Smiles,
Wendy