I like it - I learned from it: The Red Fruit

As I continue my own writing journey, I want to reflect on some books I enjoy and why I enjoy them. I hope this will help inform my own writing. Also! It may help you discover books YOU like too. Of course, the whole business is very subjective. Why listen to me? I don't even like ice cream. And can you really trust someone who doesn't?

Anyway...

The Red Fruit: by Lee Gee Eun

Published by: Levine Querido

Page count: 64

Get the book here.

Description from the website:

Baby Bear is off exploring on his own.

Tok! 

Now what’s this that just hit his head? Mmmm…it’s a delicious red fruit. He must get more.

Up, up, up, to the top of the forest. Hello Caterpillar! Hello Squirrel! Hello Bees!

Now what is that? Why, it’s the biggest red fruit of all! Baby Bear must have it. He leeeaaaps…

Opening line: Baby bear got up early, by himself.

Why I like it/ What I learned:

• Simplicity - This story has a simple main idea and it is stated right from the first sentence. May we all strive for such an opening line.

  
  

• Art tells the story - Some may say it is easier for an author/illustrator to do this, but this book is not only good at using the art to tell the story but it is good at telling the emotional arc of the baby bear character. Lee Gee Eun is a master at using color to make the reader FEEL something when and how she wants them to feel it. For those of us who don't draw, it's a good reminder to put some trust in the illustrator - to leave room for them to help tell the story.

• Humor - The humor is subtle and sweet. Lee Gee Eun uses the page turn to give us funny surprises. I'd like to note here that this book is 64 pages. The publisher gave Lee Gee a lot of room. When we write maybe we shouldn't be so focused on the 32 page count, but instead think about making sure we have page turn moments.

  
  

• Simple text that reflects the character's voice - The text is very sparse, and it has a distinct voice - that of the baby bear. It is a voice that is young and curious and innocent.

  
  

• The end - The ending brings us back to a full circle moment back to the beginning, like almost all of the best picture books do.

Conclusion:

I liked this book and so did my kids (we don't always agree). You should get a copy or find it at your library! It is a good reminder that voice can be conveyed without a high word count and humor can be found in a well timed page turn.