I always say my best ideas for stories come when I’m driving, trying to fall asleep and in the shower. Now I don’t have to write with my finger on the shower walls when an idea hits (yes, I’ve really done that!). Isn’t this cool? Putting it on my amazon wish list.
Here are the children’s books that have been in my library bag and on my nightstand in December (well, at least the ones I’d recommend). Go check them out!
Preschool (ages 3-5 years):
Preschool (ages 3-5 years) and Early Elementary (ages 5-8 years):
Middle Grades (ages 8-12 years):
I love the way this finished lamp looks!
However, I have to admit I cringe at the pictures of books being drilled into! Ah, the horror! 🙂 See the tutorial from HGTV here.Â
The weather forecast was frightful, so school was cancelled.
Since I’m a teacher, that means I’m home today with the kiddos. They’ve played in the snow for hours and watched two Christmas movies. I’ve been able to work on revising one of my picture book stories that was feeling neglected.
It can be difficult to create the perfect environment to write in.
However, on this day with snow falling outside, a fire keeping me warm, Christmas songs playing in the background and the smells of butternut squash soup simmering on the stove (oh, and the kids occupied), it’s pretty close to perfect for me.
Here are the children’s books that have been in my library bag and on my nightstand in November (well, at least the ones I’d recommend). Go check them out!
Preschool (ages 2-5 years) and Early Elementary (ages 5-8 years):
Middle Grades (ages 8-12 years)
 (And other important questions to ask when writing a children’s book)
This sign hangs on the wall by my desk. When I’m writing, it encourages me to stretch my imagination to try to turn an ordinary character or story into something special.
Ask the questions that haven’t been asked, even if they sound incredibly silly. Do elephants like mac and cheese? What would a snake look like with a wig? What would a fox sound like if he could talk…More like Barry White or Adam Sandler? Explore the possibilities.
Think outside the box.
Once you have an idea, play with it. Roll it around in your mind. What can you do to make it amazing? Say you have a story idea about a kid going to the moon in a spaceship. Definitely done before. Definitely overdone. OK, make it better. The kid is a porcupine. Getting warmer. Even better? He loves to chew gum and blow bubbles in space. Now we’re cooking. Step waaaaay outside the box and go for the gusto. He keeps accidentally punching holes in his spacesuit with his quills and has to patch them up with… You see where I’m going with this?
Over the summer, I attended the Children’s Literature Conference at Shenandoah University and had the pleasure of hearing the insanely talented author/illustrator, John Rocco, share his thoughts on coming up with fresh ideas for picture books. (Check out two of my John Rocco favorites, Blackout and Moonpowder, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. This guy is good!)
       
Rocco said that there are “two magical words you can ask yourself before and during writing a story: What if…” Â He asked himself these questions when writing one of his picture books based on the classic, The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Rather odd questions to ask, don’t you think? Well, what became of it was an award winning book titled Wolf! Wolf! Definitely check this one out. The illustrations will blow you away and it can lead to good discussions on fractured tales.
It’s OK to write about a topic that’s been done before, as long as you find a way to make it fresh and unique.
He asked the “what if…” questions and thought outside the box. Brilliant.
My latest picture book idea came to me using John Rocco’s method. The concept of a troll living under a bridge entered my mind. Done before. Ho hum. How could I spice it up? Enter the “what if’s”:
From there, Troll and the Tea Party was born. It’s still in the rough stages, but I love how it’s coming along. All because I asked those questions.
So, what DOES the fox really say? Hmmm…not sure, but Iylves might be on to something. I think I see the makings of a picture book. Wait…Simon and Schuster thought so too. They bought the rights to release a picture book based on the viral video. Title? The Fox.
Oh well, missed the boat on that one. I’ll just keep thinking outside the box and asking questions. You never know what brilliant idea will turn up.
Organic, non GMO’s, free range, antibiotic free, natural, etc. You’ve heard the buzz words.  And if you’re a parent, you’ve probably wrestled with what to feed your children on a daily basis and may feel a guilty pang every time you succumb to the fast food drive thru.
Well, when it comes to serving up books to your kids, quality doesn’t matter! Read whatever book they bring to you in their cute little hands and do it with a smile. Read the popular cartoon books where Dora is on yet another map-led adventure through a forest/over a mountain/around a bend. Read the unnecessarily long repetition books that are so boring you find yourself suddenly reading in a drunk sounding voice because you’re about to fall asleep in the middle. Read the awkwardly rhymed picture books written by celebrities that think, “Sure, anyone can write a book for kids”. Read the books whose illustrations look like your dog drew them.
If they pick it, read it! Yes, you heard me. READ IT. Even if they ask you to read them the same boring book every night for a straight month. Do it. You are instilling a love of reading in their impressionable little souls. And this goes a long way.
A 1997 study, “Building Blocks for literacy: What current research shows”, in the School Library Journal, states that, “Reading aloud to children is one of the most effective and inexpensive activities parents, caregivers and educators can do to promote literacy. Children who are introduced to books early and read to on a regular basis do better in school.”
Note that this finding says nothing about reading aloud only the best books. It just says “books.”
Now I’m not saying don’t have plenty of the “good stuff” on your bookshelves. A dash of Maurice Sendak, a sprinkling of Kevin Henkes, a bowl of Steven Kellogg (haha), all garnished with lots of Eric Carle.  Yum! You know the ones…the classics, the award winners, the cream of the crop, the “organic” books, if you will. One of my favorite things to do is read a really good children’s book (admittedly with or without my kids there). I have even been known to audibly shout, “Yes!” when I finish reading an amazing book. It’s great to have great books, but it’s OK to have bad ones too. Books are books, and when you take the time to cuddle up with a child and let the words from the pages come alive, they are learning from you. With every sound, rhythm, cadence and snuggle, they are learning that reading is fun and special and something they want to do, not something they have to do.
Before kids, people think:  “When I have a child, I am only going to buy the best books for my kid.” Well, that’s a nice thought. Inevitably, books of the lesser variety will creep onto those shelves. Grandparents will contribute.  Friends with birthday presents will contribute.  Even you will. Yep, you will. When your kid is obsessed with Batman and all he thinks about is Batman and wants to grow-up to be Batman and the only incentive that works for going poop in the potty is a Batman book…you will buy it.
And when they begin to read themselves, you aren’t going to care if they are reading the side of the Chik-fil-a bag. It’s a magical time for them, when all those symbols across a page suddenly have meaning and they can say them. You will encourage them to read anything on their shelf. But don’t worry. If you have the good stuff on the shelves, they will find it eventually and will most likely think it’s as wonderful as you do. That’s why they are the classics. So let them explore. Let them read the crap along with the cream of the crop.
It’s OK to have a variety of books in your house. Good and not-so-good, what’s important is that they are books and you’re reading to them. So when your child or grandchild presents you with a “non-organic” book to read, don’t feel guilty and don’t show your distaste. Just smile, snuggle up and say, “YUM! LET’S READ!”
Here are the children’s books that have been in my library bag and on my nightstand in October (well, at least the ones I’d recommend). Go check them out!
Babies and Toddlers (ages 0-2 years) and Preschool (ages 3-5 years):
Preschool (ages 3-5 years):
Preschool (ages 3-5 years) and Early Elementary (ages 5-8 years):
Early Elementary (ages 5-8 years):
Middle Grades (ages 8-12 years):
I’m a mother and teacher by day and wannabe children’s book author by night. Read more about me
