A Closer Look
The Story Behind the Story
I got the idea for JUST SAY BOO playing with some of the little kids in my neighborhood. As Halloween approached, I noticed these three- and four-year-olds were just a bit jittery with all the spooky goings-on. (Not that they’d ever admit it!)
I decided to write an interactive book with fun-to-say words and lots of sensory details that would empower these littlest trick-or-treaters. It’s a question-and-answer book that encourages kids to call out “BOO!” in their loudest voices. I perfected the verse by studying with Patricia Hubbell, an acclaimed kids’ poet I met through SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). When it was done, I happened to reconnect with a HarperCollins editor at an SCBWI event and she bought the book almost immediately.
Excerpt from interview with Mr. Schu
Mr. Schu: Every sentence in Just Say Boo! is crisp and fun to read aloud. I think it is the perfect picture book for teaching word choice and sensory details. What advice would you give to a second grader who wished his writing had more sensory details?
Susan Hood: Most of us find it easiest to describe what we see. So close your eyes, imagine a place, and tap into your other senses. Ask yourself:
SMELLS
What smells good and what
smells sweet?
What’s stinky-poo like dirty feet?
What smells fresh and what smells new?
What makes you want to yell P.U.?
TASTES
What tastes sour, salty, yummy?
What’s too yucky for your tummy?
What’s got a kick, a spice, a zip?
What makes you want to smack
your lips?
SOUNDS
What’s rumbling, mumbling,
twanging, banging,
ringing, singing
drumming, humming,
whooshing, shushing,
crying, sighing,
chirping, burping,
crunching, munching,
fizzing, whizzing,
groaning, moaning,
howling, growling,
clicking, ticking
roaring, snoring?
FEELINGS
What’s itching, twitching,
tapping, zapping,
hugging, tugging,
licking, sticking,
rubbing, scrubbing,
warming, swarming,
tickling, prickling,
chilling, thrilling,
soothing, smoothing,
pushing, smushing,
kissing … missing?