by Jason Kirschner If you can stick with this post all the way to the end, you’ll find my little bio where it is clearly states that “author/illustrator” is not my day job. Most d…
Source: Storystorm Day 15: “The Day-Job Rule” by Jason
One day to complete a picture book? At least you would have a rough draft, right? Thanks, Jason.
by Marcie Colleen When Tara asked me to blog for Storystorm I knew right away that there were two points I wanted to make. Ideas can come from the most random and wackiest places. A good idea is in…
Source: Storystorm Day 14: “Guard Your Ideas Like Gold” by Marcie Colleen
Great ideas are like gold! Keep them safe!
by Colby Sharp One of my favorite things to do with my students is a Mock Caldecott unit. Each year, my friend Mr. Schu and I select 20 books for the study. Mr. Schu posts the list on his blog with…
Source: Storystorm Day 13: “The Mock Caldecott Awards” by Colby Sharp
Teachers! This is a great idea to do with students. Librarians, you could probably adjust and do the same activity. Readers – who wouldn’t want to be in on the decision making for the Mock Caldecott Awards? Pick me, pick me!
by Julie McGann My name is Julie McGann and I am a wish-granting digital artist who captures the imagination of little dreamers worldwide by giving them the dream pet they have always wanted. Child…
Source: Storystorm Day 12: “Dances with Ketchup” by Julie McGann
I love the way Julie creates her imaginative art! Perfect for kids of all ages.
by Chana Stiefel Well, Storystormers. We have made it to January 11 already. While many of us have developed an aversion to the news these days, I encourage you to give your morning newspaper a sec…
Source: Storystorm Day 11: “Rrrrripped from the Headlines” by Chana Stiefel
Interesting story ideas can literally be rrrrippped from the newspaper! How fun is that?
by Nancy Churnin If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if I was going to quit my job now that my first book has been published, I’d have…a couple of dollars. Which is not enough t…
Source: Storystorm Day 10: “Storystorm While You Work” by Nancy
Story ideas may be found anywhere, we just gotta pay attention and catch them!
by Salina Yoon & Christopher Polentz People often ask me if my characters come first, or the story. Which inspires the other? Each book is different, but it’s an interesting question, and fun t…
Source: Storystorm Day 9: “The Original Character” by Salina Yoon & Christopher Polentz
Intriguing way to search for story ideas!
by Tara Lazar (with Deb Lund) Over the holidays, I caught an NPR broadcast on secular Christmas music. Immediately struck by the rich voices of Perry Como, Judy Garland, and Nat King Cole, I listen…
Source: Storystorm Day 8: “Sing Along to the Classics” by Tara Lazar
Can we learn from and be inspired by the classics? You bet! That’s why they’re classics!
by Jennifer Arena A year ago last autumn in Chicago during the Architecture Biennial, one exhibit captured my imagination. Situated in the middle of a large room were several dozen waist-high stand…
Source: Storystorm Day 7: “Be Big! Be Small! Be Any Size at All!” by Jennifer Arena
Need fresh ideas? Change your perspective! Can you see those tiny people sitting on a mountain of chips?
by Hannah Barnaby Novels were my first love—as a children’s literature graduate student, as an editor, as a bookseller, and then as a writer. I loved long descriptive passages, the rising ten…
Source: Storystorm Day 6: “Switching Sides: How a Novelist Became a Picture Book Writer” by Hannah Barnaby
Love, Laughter, and Life 