What a day! It’s Groundhog Day AND Would You Read It Wednesday AND World Read Aloud Day!
Since I wrote this post ahead of time, I don’t have Phyllis’s prediction for you, but I know what she’s hoping for 😊 I’ll give you a hint: it involves flowers 💐🌼🌷🌻🌹🌸🌺
She and I have a busy day, so we’re just going to jump right in and fortify ourselves with some fancy, fun, groundhog-friendly chocolate! Won’t you join us? We have a choice! Groundhog Day Cupcakes and Groundhog Day No Bake Cookies!
Groundhog Day Cupcakes & Groundhog Day No Bake Cookies
Recipes HERE at Fork and Beans
Please help yourselves to either or both. I mean, really, you should probably try both to see which one you like best 😊😊😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Helen. Helen is a Texas transplant living in beautiful Richmond, VA with her husband and two children. When she is not writing and dreaming of engaging picture book ideas, she works as a medical provider with refugees and immigrants.
Website: www.readhelentanner.com; IG and Twitter @readhelentanner ; LinkedIn: helenltanner
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Daphne’s Dress Code Dilemma
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: It’s first grade…
Daphne’s new school requires sneakers.
She refuses to wear them.
What’s a bold fashionista to do when her individuality is threatened by everyday rules?
With her big brother’s help, Daphne learns that embracing change can be wildly fun in DAPHNE’S DRESS CODE DILEMMA.
So what do you think? Would you read it? YES, MAYBE, or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If you answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Helen improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It, or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the menu bar above. There are openings February 9 and 23, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on my editor Erin Molta!
Helen is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to visiting classrooms full of kids to share Fun With Phyllis! 😊
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Yes, I would read it because I would wonder how Daphne complied with wearing sneakers but on her own terms. Maybe coloring or drawing on them in vivid colors like an artist’s blank canvas (sneaker)? It has many possibilities. I hope she comes up with the main idea. Sounds like she needs her brother to help her with some technical areas (tie-dye, cutting with scissors etc.) for reasons someone her age couldn’t do. The universal theme of individuality is always appreciated in stories. Good luck.
Susanna, I was so happy to see Phyllis’s prediction. The flowers should be blooming soon!
Helen, I would read this. It sounds like a fun premise and I love that Daphne finds a way to still be a “fashonista” even in sneakers. A small hint at how she does this might help the pitch. For example, …with her big brother’s help and a little glitter, paint and panache…” that type of thing if that is what she does to solve the problem. I would make sure whatever the solution is, that Daphne is the one who comes up with the plan. Her brother can help execute it, but the solution should be Daphne’s own.
Also, does she really learn to embrace change? Or is it more that she learns there are ways to follow the rules and still express her personal pizazz? I hope these thoughts are helpful. Best of luck!
Yes, I would read this – love books that encourage individuality. I agree with other comments about hinting at the solution and making sure Daphne has agency. I would also like to know a little about why she refuses to wear sneakers, since sneakers can be very fashionable. Does she have to wear boring white ones, or does she just prefer something fancier? A few more details could help the reader connect with the character and want to dive in to learn more about her. Good luck with this, Helen! It sounds like a fun read.
I think you’ve summed it up beautifully! By using the word ‘fashionista’ you let your reader know she is discriminating about what she wears. Great pitch! Can’t wait to see this in print!
THOSE groundhog cheek cookies!!! Adorable.
The pitch might benefit with some more specific examples of what she does wear to give more flavor of the writing.
Yes, I would definitely read this book. I’m already picturing what her and her brother might come up with in the way of decorated sneakers :0)
The groundhog goodies look delicious! Thanks! 🙂
I would definitely read this PB! I love the pitch and I am trying to picture this little “Fashionista”!
Good Luck! 🙂
COMMENT POSTED FOR MARY BETH
Yes! I would love to read this story because I am curious about how her brother helps his “fashionista” sister out of this conflict. I also love Daphne’s sassiness and “respectful” defiance. It sounds like a story that encourages kids to be themselves, stand up for themselves and creatively problem solve—with a bit of humor too! I want to see the artwork and imagine Daphne’s wardrobe to be full of color and whimsy. Blessings on this journey…