Storybook Favorites

"The Side You Didn't Hear"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/thevillainsside/home

This storybook's topic is already familiar to me (at least the side of the story that is normally told). The introduction is catching and encourages the reader to continue. It is told with a laid-back, Leeeeet me just tell you how it really is, tone, and goes along as a mini-sequel to three nostalgic and timeless stories told since childhood. Having a picture of the wolf "Henry" facing away from the frame with the sweet Red Riding Hood looking forward adds to the author's point that the characters had been shown the door without a hearing, per say. In this storybook, I liked that there was a different story retelling on each tab as if they were all separate. Also, having the pictures in the middle gives the stories a nice flow and the readers a break from reading. I may want to add this feature to my storybook.

"History Mysteries"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/chandlersstorybook/introduction

This storybook's topic is mostly familiar to me. I have not heard of "Daniels Blocks" or "The Mystery of Winchester House", but I have heard of Reepicheep and the beloved tales of Narnia. The introduction was not catching to me until I realized the author wrote it as if a book was talking. What a concept! This detail added a whole new level of interest that enticed me to read more. When the author mentioned Reepicheep, I was even more taken, as The Chronicles of Narnia is a book series I have read over ten times through. The image at the beginning of the page is attention grabbing as well. It invokes a feeling of antiquity and history. The part one and part two of the last story is also exciting. Something about a sequel is compelling: it's like the story has more to tell than the author knew. I believe I will want to implement something like this into my storybook.

Caption: Dark Stairwell

Image From: http://zeninthecar.com

"The Sanitarium of HP Lovecraft"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/deepdarkunknown/home

This storybook's topic is not familiar to me at all. I have never heard of HP Lovecraft and the mystery and hysteria surrounding him. What caught my attention in this introduction was the detail used by the author in their description of the basement mentioned. This opened a door of imagery that required an explanation as to what this particular location was used for and why any person would care to visit. The eerie, black and white stairwell at the top of the page (shown above) invites the reader to think of something dark while reading. The excerpt-like organization of this storybook adds to its mysterious nature. The dating in the story along with the first person accounts makes it seem real and quite fear inducing. I would like to implement these writing strategies into my storybook.