Every Word Matters

To a picture book, every word matters. Just like a poem, a picture book is short and sweet, leaving little room for superfluous content.
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Consider the importance of a word in We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade.

“My people talk of a black snake that will destroy the land. Spoil the water. Poison plants and animals. Wreck everything in its path…Its venom burns the land, courses through the water, making it unfit to drink.” -We Are Water Protectors, Carole Lindstrom

We Are Water Protectors is a non-narrative story. A call-to-action to stop the Dakota Pipleline. But instead of calling the pipeline by its name, Carole calls back to Indigenous folklore and refers to the pipeline by a metaphor, the "black snake." The illustrations help make the connection.​

​Imagine if she had chosen a more literal direction. It would have significantly less impact on the reader. The cultural imagery is a window into the ways indigenous people develop a connection with nature through stories. Now, the audience can also interact with the story and develop a connection with the cause as well.

"Words are the model, words are the tools, words are the boards, words are the nails." 
—Richard Rhodes

Consider every word choice carefully, with intention, keeping a goal in mind. What is the purpose of your story? What kind of structure is best suited for the purpose? And finally, what words will best support the purpose?

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xx Cory

This post was proofread by Grammarly