Throughout my second semester of my junior year at Dominican University of California, I had the honor taking a Children's Literature class. During this time, not only did I learn about the different types/genres, but I was also able to write my own. Unfortunately, I also illustrated it, so the pictures do not serve this story any justice. Included in this story is a little bit about me, as well as other information that is generally included in a book proposal. I hope you all enjoy!
Summary:
Meet little Missy Mae. Unlike most children, Missy was born with special hands. These hands still work exactly like other children, but they look a little bit different. She enjoys going to the snow with her mom and dad, participating in sports with her friends, and she especially loves playing the piano. What exactly is so different about Missy’s hands? Missy was born with a total of nine fingers. Read along to find out more about little Missy Mae and the wonderful life she lives.
Author’s Biography:
Madison Munson is a current Creative Writing Minor at Dominican University of California, located in San Rafael. With a love for children, especially her 4-year old niece and 2-year old nephew, writing for the younger generation has always held a special place with Madison. Growing up, she had witnessed other children facing different challenges without fully understanding that they are still just like her. Writing a children's book for those who were born or grew up a little bit different is something Madison wants to put forth into the world and show everyone that it is ok to be different. Previously, she has been published with OpEd News, an online magazine. Her paper, “How to Graduate from College Debt-Free!” is a satire about making child sweatshops a more realistic option to help pay off their future college loans. This paper also includes an exclusive interview with Senior Editor of OpEd, Joan Brunwasser. Other published works can be found on Dominican University’s online journal, The Tuxedo.
Target Audience:
My target audience is for children in preschool and kindergarten, particularly ages 4-6. Children of this age with keep this book with them because of its uniqueness. It tells a short story about a young girl who has a missing finger. Although this is just a small part of the human body, her hands still stand out from others. When a child grows up looking the slightest bit different from others, they might stand in the light they aren't particularly fond of. This book has the ability to show children that it is ok to look different. It also contains an underlying message about equality and treating others the way you would like to be treated. Missy Mae never encounters a bully, but she does encounter inner self-confidence issues. She sometimes has a difficult time accepting her hands as they are, however, her parents support her and love her just as she is, and so do her friends. Missy is not defined as a child with nine fingers, but as a little girl who loves to play the piano, jump rope with her friends, and go to the snow with her parents.
Competition:
- "The Gift of Grace" - Grace Mary McClelland
Published By: The Wild Onion Press in 201
- ”The Tree With No Limbs" - Christine Marie Johnson
Published By: Tate Publishing & Enterprises in 2008
- "The Making of My Special Hand: Madison's Story"3. - Jamee Riggio
Published By: Peachtree in 1998
- "Imagine...Amazing Me!" - Libbi Chilia
Published By: Halo Publishing International in 2008
- "Oliver's High Five" - Beverly Swerdlow Brown
Published By: Health Press in 1998
- "Charlie: The Dog That Didn't Have a Paw" - Delaney and Ria Hurst
American Printing & Copying in 2010
All of these books contain information about children or animals who have missing hands or legs. One book, The Gift of Grace even tells the story of a young girl who was born with incredibly small hands. My book differentiates from the above books in one specific way: only Missy’s finger is missing. Instead of there being a large part of physical self gone, only a small and almost unnoticeable portion is missing. Missy still faces the same challenges that these children with with more obvious challenges face, just in a different way. This reminds readers that not all challenges people face are obvious. Sometimes, they can be nearly unnoticeable to the naked eye, such as mental disabilities or minor physical ones similar to little Missy Mae.
Manuscript Specifications:
This is an eight page, 200-word, picture book read with the incorporation of rhyming to enhance the child’s experience. Each page contains a picture related to what Missy Mae is experiencing or feeling at that moment in time. Most importantly, these pictures focus on Missy doing the same activities that other children with ten fingers can do, like playing the piano, jump rope, and basketball.
Outline:
Beginning: The beginning of the book focuses on what kind of person Missy Mae is like. She is a girl who, although having only nine fingers, still has plenty of friends who treat her just like everyone else. She takes trips to the snow with her parents, she is a great piano player, and she enjoys playing basketball and jumping rope.
Middle: The middle part of the book is where Missy Mae experiences self-conscious concerns about only having nine fingers. Her parents step in and reassure her that she is not alone. They remind her that there are other people who have all ten fingers, but are missing a leg or cannot see or hear.
End: Finally, Missy recomposes herself and is happy once again. She is able to continue doing the things she loves most and goes out to play with her friends.
