Those of us you who were children once upon a time will surely remember how frustrating it was suddenly to have been plunked down in a world where everyone knew more than you did—about everything. Children spend a great deal of time trying to figure things out: where does snow come from? Why can’t dogs talk? What happens next? Or, as we say in our family: “Who ordered the veal cutlet?”*
Kids develop their own little GPS-like subroutines, constantly recalculating to keep themselves on track—but sometimes, inevitably, they get it wrong. Misperceptions and missed information lead to misunderstandings . . . and—I won’t sugar-coat this—little misunderstandings often lead to:
Major Disappointment!
Total Humiliation!
Nightmares!
(Yeah, I was grown before I figured that one out.)
Thank goodness for picture books!
In a picture book, you can check out your own real-live dinosaur any time from the Storybook Lending Zoo.
You can have the queen invite the golfer with the highest score to the palace for tea, and meet the prince, who is even worse at Goony Golf than you are.
You can become a super-hero in training, and rid the world of evil, baby-eating furniture.
How cool is that? As children’s book writers and illustrators, we get to do this all the time. So, having aired three of my own neuroses . . . er, picture book ideas . . . here is a tip for today: think back to those times in your childhood when things were not quite what you expected them to be—and imagine what it would take to discover a new, old friend . . . or have the last laugh . . . or fly to the rescue.
And then, for the love of heaven, explain to the little person in your life that dinosaurs are really extinct; that, as silly as it sounds, low score wins at Goony Golf; and that, yes, if necessary, a very tiny baby can sleep safely in a dresser drawer . . . but only if you take the drawer OUT of the dresser first!
*A line from Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie . . . um, maybe you had to be there.
Bonnie Adamson’s latest illustration project is BEDTIME MONSTER (¡A dormir, pequeño monstruo!) by Heather Ayris Burnell, released in September by Raven Tree Press.
Visit Bonnie’s soon-to-be-completely-overhauled website at www.bonnieadamson.net, or hang out with her on Twitter, where she co-hosts #kidlitchat on Tuesday nights and #kidlitart (for children’s book illustrators and friends) every Thursday.
Bonnie then, practicing her skeptical glare; and now—-an older and wiser children’s book illustrator.
Prize Alert! Leave a comment to enter. One randomly-selected winner will choose one of the three picture-book-inspired sketches above for Bonnie to paint in watercolor (Dinosaur, Royalty, Superhero). One entry per person! Winner will be selected one week from today. Good luck!
97 comments
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November 9, 2010 at 11:03 am
Laurie
I want a dinosaur of my own from the lending zoo! Nice work, Bonnie.
November 9, 2010 at 11:13 am
Megan K. Bickel
Oh, you know I’m a totally hopeless fan of illustration, so put my name in the hat for this awesome prize!
Excellent post, Bonnie!
November 9, 2010 at 11:19 am
Alyssa
As I drove the kids to school today, I listened to one of my daughters complain, “Why does everyone else get to decide where I go and what I do every day of my life?!” Your post rang so true! Thanks for reminding me to look from their perspective.
November 9, 2010 at 11:20 am
Priscilla Mizell
I laughed aloud at these illustrations. Thanks for the excellent post!
November 9, 2010 at 11:26 am
Sharon Chriscoe
Terrific illustrations! I just love them.
Thanks for the great inspiration.
Sharon
November 9, 2010 at 11:26 am
Stephenie Hovland
Great prize!
A few of my PiBoIdMo ideas already originate from weird childhood fears/misunderstandings. I still remember my mom saying, “Really? That’s what you thought?? THAT gave you nightmares??” when I was older.
I reserve the right to have nightmares about any silly thing — even as an adult.
November 9, 2010 at 11:27 am
LadyJai
Oh that is so awesome! I wish I had a good memory! I wonder if there are exercises I can do to remember my childhood…it must have been horrible for me to block out chunks LOL!
November 9, 2010 at 11:35 am
Catherine Johnson
What a great idea, to re-visit childhood and change everything you didn’t like about it. Must get thinking cap on. Awesome prize too 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 11:52 am
Lynn Anne Bemis
Oh, you can count me in on this contest. I love Bonnie’s illustrations. The faces are fresh, simple and highly expressive.
I too loved dinosaurs. I remember a few years back I was having a rummage. I set aside a few Ziploc bags of my son’s toys to save. Buzz Lightyear, various dinosaurs, you know, the usual. Someone walked off with them. I am still disappointed to this day. I can only hope they are treating them nicely.
Lynn~~ 😉
November 9, 2010 at 11:54 am
Lori Ann
I took my son with me when I voted last week. When we got there he asked, “Mom, where are all the boats?” “What?!” I asked. “I though you told me we were going to the boating place!” He was sooo disappointed!! 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 11:56 am
tara
That’s hilarious!
November 9, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Beth MacKinney
Weird, but my kids did that when they were little. I explained voting, and then they cried because they wanted to see the boat too.
November 9, 2010 at 11:56 am
Corey SChwartz
OMG, I have to “guest” right after this post? What a hard act to follow! Awesome, Bonnie!!!
November 9, 2010 at 12:00 pm
ccgevry
Oh my, this post is wonderful. The little things that don’t bother us now were such heartbreakers to us as kids. It helps when parents remember that.
Thanks so much for the chance to win.
All my best,
Cheryl
November 9, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Pam Jones
I just adore these sketches and ideas! What captures my attention the most is the irony in the ideas and the animated and lively sketches that go with them! Very very nice and well put together ideas on getting the most from our illustrative storyteller…thank you so much! On a side note, your dino with the flower in it’s mouth looks like my little pup I had for 18 years…I don’t have her now, but that illo touched my heart because that dome head on the dino reminded me of her adorable little head. Thank you for that, it made my day. 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Holly C.
Great article, and I love your drawings!
November 9, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Michelle Henninger
Bonnie what a great article! Very inspiring! What a great reminder to get in the head of our children. And btw, your younger self had a fantastic skeptical stare. Classic!
November 9, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Rachel
Love the comment above from Alyssa. My niece’s daughter (3 y.o) had this to say over the weekend. “Look an airplane! Oh wait, that’s just a flying scooter.” Won’t se be disappointed to find out HER scooter doesn’t fly. 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Louann Brown
Thanks to all of you involved in PiBoIdMo….this is so much fun. I’ve already roughed out four new manuscripts!
November 9, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Nina Crittenden
Great post, Bonnie! Just LOVE that dinosaur (and ordered your book today for my kids)! p.s. What a cute pic of you as a kid! 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Colleen Jensen
I know I survived many countless misunderstandings in my youth. Thankfully, I can look at them now with humor, but they would be great fodder for a PB. Thanks for the tips and visual aides.
November 9, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Loni Edwards
I love the skeptical glare bio pic 🙂 I was (and sometimes still am) one of those kids! Great post Bonnie, I love your sketches. You are an inspiration! Thanks for the post!
November 9, 2010 at 1:07 pm
laura brown
What a wonderful post! I want a dinosaur~~~~ROAR
November 9, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Lynne Marie
Thanks, Bonnie, for the inspiration! Misunderstandings are so much fun! Like the imagination always says, “Don’t tell it like it is…tell it like it could be!” Looking forward to checking out your book 🙂 Oh, and once when a flight got cancelled during a layover, my son did sleep in a drawer LOL
November 9, 2010 at 1:29 pm
eecoburn
These are darling pictures! I want one!
November 9, 2010 at 2:09 pm
jama
Thoroughly enjoyed this post. Thanks for the inspiration :)!
November 9, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Kristen Hilty
Beautiful pictures! My family’s favorite story from my youth was my confusion over the word “draft”–as in, there’s a draft coming in the door. I thought they were saying “giraffe.” I always wondered why a giraffe didn’t walk on in.
November 9, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Pat Miller
Your metaphor of the kids trying to develop their own internal GPS is very picturesque. Your memories reminded me of the time I wore my Halloween costume to school in second grade. I was so proud of the hobo outfit my mom had made me, complete with burned-cork beard. When I entered the classroom, I was horrified to discover no one else in costume. My teacher told me that I wasn’t to wear it till the last hour of the day!
November 9, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Beth MacKinney
No kidding! When I was in first grade they rang the bell because recess was over and I missed it. I stayed on the playground and couldn’t figure out where all the kids went. Oh, what a kid goes through!
: )
November 9, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Laurie L Young
Awesome post, Bonnie! It’s those misunderstood moments that create the most magical happenings in childhood. When I was five my mom said my Aunt Claire was coming to visit, and I pictured an ant in a flowered hat walking up to the door. I kept looking at all the ants outside to try and figure out which one was her. Hey–I’ve got my PiBoIdMo idea for the day. Thanks!
November 9, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Growing up is not easy. Everyone has good and bad memories and a lot of them are worth writing about. Thank you for reminding us.
November 9, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Angela De Groot
It wasn’t easy explaining mini golf scoring to my little guy. He felt totally cheated. It was kind of funny.
November 9, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Kristen Schwartz
I love this post. Made me revisit the misunderstandings of my youth for a good laugh – cuz it wasn’t funny then! 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Chrissa Pedersen
Hmmm, I wil now have to do some soul searching to find my forgotten fears. Great idea!
November 9, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Melissa Liban
What a lovely post. You illustrations are so super fantastic! Now I’m going to go and follow you on Twitter!
November 9, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Dana Carey
Great post. I enjoyed seeing your sketches & peering into your kid’s-eye-view of things. Funny stuff. Thanks!
@danaFR
November 9, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Diandra Mae
Yay! Another illustrated entry! I can definitely pull ideas from life with little ones. There have been many times I have hated to burst my son’s bubble when it comes to some of his perceptions.
And I agree books are the places where the impossible happens, and in it’s own little odd way, that’s very reassuring. 🙂
I’ll see you at #kidlitart Thursday, Bonnie, where we will both surely be bemoaning the never-ending process of updating our websites-lol!
November 9, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Lynn Alpert
I love your new site, Bonnie – it looks great! I would love to win one of your illustrations!
November 9, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Bonnie Adamson
I’ve so much enjoyed reading these comments about your own and your children’s “little misunderstandings.” I’m still having these moments with my daughters (now grown). They’re all the time bringing up stuff that I had NO IDEA was upsetting/disappointing/scaring them at the time. Sigh. At least I know I’m not alone!
Thank you all–and thank you, Tara, especially–this has been a treat!
November 9, 2010 at 5:22 pm
JennyM
Like those pale green pants with nobody inside them? *glares skeptically*
-Bonnie’s daughter
(PS — It’s the tiger!)
November 10, 2010 at 8:32 am
Bonnie Adamson
You are NEVER going to let me live that down, are you? 😀
November 10, 2010 at 8:35 am
Steffie
I know I’m not the only one, but for awhile I thought all kinds of grown-ups in my life were “drinking and driving” with their cokes and coffee, and wondered why they bothered telling anyone not to do it.
Thanks, mom, for not shutting me in a dresser drawer.
–Bonnie’s other daughter
November 10, 2010 at 10:26 am
Bonnie Adamson
You’re welcome! 🙂
And, golly– “drinking and driving” is a new one.
November 11, 2010 at 5:34 pm
JennyM
Giant pigs! Or, er… cows.
November 9, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Linda Bozzo
Great illustrations Bonnie. Thanks for sharing them with us.
November 9, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Jodi Moore
Fantastic inspiration for producing stories with humor and heart! Thanks for sharing!
November 9, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Kate Higgins
I once got the highest score in golf in the high school class titled “Lifetime Sports”. I also thought I’d won…only I was 16 at the time. I never lived that one down – they still bring it up at high school reunions…sigh.
I haven’t played golf since:)
November 9, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Nicole Zoltack
Loved the pictures! This was a great post.
November 9, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Stephanie Shaw
I believe my husband thought he was a particularly bright child because his mother let him eat “college cheese”. Of course, he was a bit disappointed to learn that it was actually ‘cottage’ cheese. Thank you, Bonnie, for the wonderful illustrations and inspirational tip.
November 9, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Debra Katz
Loved the illustrations and looking forward to checking out the picture book.
November 9, 2010 at 5:48 pm
rebecca shoniker
My friend’s daughter loves eating in the ‘diamond room’- dining room! Thanks so much for the article and inspiration. I am really racking my brain for all the funny misunderstandings my kids have said and done through the years!
November 9, 2010 at 6:01 pm
printitgroup
Bonnie, a great concept for a kids’ book. It’s so true. We get so confused by the adult world when we are children. Thankfully authors and illustrators can straighten out our confusion in an easily understood way.
November 9, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Marcy Pusey
Thanks for sharing, Bonnie!!! I certainly remember some of those moments… and am currently re-living them with my 3-year-old! And I’m with you! I tell him the truth ALWAYS! LOL 🙂 Thanks for a great kick start to some fun ideas and reminiscing!
November 9, 2010 at 6:37 pm
MaDonna
Great idea and love the illustrations. Thanks for helping me out today getting more ideas. =)
November 9, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Lynda Shoup
….You mean you grow out of this?
The illustrations are precious. The thoughts hit home. Thanks for a great post.
November 9, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Kjersten Hayes
Great illustrations and nice post!
November 9, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Jessica Stanford
I’d love it if you entered me in the big contest! *me crossing my fingers*
And just so know, I think your artwork is AMAZING! When I’m published-knock on wood-I hope that I’m paired with someone as talented as you.
And to all the other pb authors and aspiring authors out there, I’d love it if you posted your blogs, twitter names, etc. when you comment. I’d love to follow you and learn more about the biz.
November 10, 2010 at 5:05 am
Lynda Shoup
Jessica,
If you click on the names on each comment you will automatically go to the commenter’s website/blog if they have one listed. That may get you started. On Twitter you can look under the hashtag #PiBoIdMo and find lots of people that way.
Hope that gives you a start.
November 10, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Jessica Stanford
Yes, thank you. Of course, I just started following you. I hope that you’ll do the same:)
November 9, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Janice Green
Great post! You gave me an idea not only for a PB but for fleshing out a character in a novel that keeps floating around in my head.
November 9, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Jannelle
Great article, Bonnie! Our Reedy River Writers critique group is so fortunate to have had you as one of our founding members for the past three and a half years. You have been an inspiration to me and others, with your shared knowledge, creativity, and consistent hard work. Thanks. I wish for you much continued success, and for our whole group, many more years of good, supportive meetings.
November 11, 2010 at 8:09 am
Janet AlJunaidi
Ditto everything Jannelle said Bonnie! And how cool that your daughters leave comments. Love the faces!
Thank you for the inspiration,
Janet
November 9, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Mary Meinking Chambers
I loved your tip for the day! Really makes me think back to my (and my childrens’) childhood misconceptions for picture book ideas. Thanks for trip back in time!
Love your illustrations too!
November 9, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Hallee Adelman
My hubby’s mom always says he slept in a drawer as a baby…I can’t wait to show him this! Thanks for the post, Bonnie.
November 9, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Connie Mustang
I still have misconceptions, as well as my children, the difference is we are all old enough to enjoy laughing about them when they happen. Thank you Bonnie for the great article and sharing your wonderful talent.
November 9, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Christie Wild
I’d probably have to read some old journals to find an old misconception. Or look to my own kids for fresh ideas. Love your book!
November 10, 2010 at 12:30 am
Michelle Dennis Evans
oh wow! illustrators are just simply amazing!
November 10, 2010 at 12:47 am
cravevsworld
Thank you for sharing. The baby in the dresser is priceless!
Truly inspiring illustrations.
November 10, 2010 at 12:54 am
Kelly
When I was in 3rd grade I was nervous to move to the 4th grade because if you got in trouble in the “higher grades” you had to stand on the wall at recess….I could not figure out how anyone could stand on a wall. Wouldn’t that make you fall? Anywho…thanks for lighting a fire underneath me..I’m writing more than I have in years! And loving it!
November 10, 2010 at 2:01 am
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
This was a fun trip down memory lane. I still remember when my first grade teacher convinced me our class was taking a trip to Washington D.C. This little Chicago girl had her bags packed and everything only to discover we were “pretending” that day to fly a plane. Sigh. Can’t wait to plot some major disappointment/funny moments in my next picture book!
November 10, 2010 at 5:34 am
Rebecca Colby
What a great posting! You had me looking back through my notebook of cute things my daughter has said as she comes to terms with understanding the world around here. Just before her third birthday, we were travelling by bus through the Yorkshire Dales. Travelling in the opposite direction was a parade of open-topped, classic cars headed to a rally. From our vantage point, both the cars and the people inside looked tiny. As they passed, my daughter’s eyes grew wide and she shouted, “Look, Mum! Oompah Loompahs!”
November 10, 2010 at 6:49 am
Christine Poreba
I love the idea of misconception as inspiration. I teach English as a Second Language to adults and get to witness many great moments of word confusion. Such as one student from Mexico who said that also had another meaning. I asked what it was and he said, like when someone asks you how are you you can answer, Also, man! He misheard awesome as also, which makes total sense in a way.;) Thanks for getting my mishearing/understanding wheels turning this morning.
November 10, 2010 at 7:03 am
Tia
I recently attended a conference where the speaker presented the concept of getting in touch with your childhood as you write. This post was a great follow up reminder for me! Now to take some action and actually write them down!
November 10, 2010 at 7:34 am
Karlee
Great post to get the mind thinking and ceating!
November 10, 2010 at 9:51 am
LadyJai
Oh Oh oh! I finally remember one of my most famous childhood disappointments!!! (good idea for PiBoIdMo!! Yay thanks Bonnie!) Does anyone know what “going to see a man about a horse” means? LOL
November 10, 2010 at 10:33 am
Diana Murray
Great post, Bonnie! Thanks for the inspiration about misunderstandings. I’ve got a good one!
November 10, 2010 at 10:44 am
Heather Kephart
I’m simply charmed, Bonnie! I’m in love with your character in the b & w drawings and adore any brain that could create something like that.
November 10, 2010 at 10:53 am
Catherine Denton
What a great springboard! Thank you. And I love your illustrations!!
Making Life a Work of Art!
November 10, 2010 at 10:56 am
Constance Lombardo
Hey, Bonnie, Great ideas and great post! I’m into my NaNoWriMo, so of course lots of picture book ideas are popping into my head that I don’t have time to work on! Hopefully they’ll stick around til next month!
Cute baby photo BTW.
November 10, 2010 at 11:28 am
Laurie Edwards
What fun sketches, Bonnie!! It’s always great to be reminded of a kid’s view of the world, which usually consists of knees and the undersides of store counters–pretty boring except for the pre-chewed gum stuck there.
Keeping my fingers crossed that I win one of your watercolors!! I adore your work!
November 10, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Sheri Dillard
Great post, Bonnie!
I remember thinking that states were all stacked on top of each other, like on a map or globe. So, growing up in Georgia, I thought South Carolina was up in the sky, directly above me. And to get there, I’d have to go uphill. Ha! 🙂
(Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t admit to this. I promise I don’t think that anymore!) LOL 🙂
November 10, 2010 at 2:16 pm
janelle
I loved your post! My mind is already spinning. Your drawings are adorable!
November 10, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Lynn
Wow! This was a little painful for me, the memory of being misunderstood as a child and feeling humiliated and embarrassed so many times because of misunderstanding things. Ouch! If I hadn’t blocked much of my childhood memories I would have lots of stories to write, lol, but … I think this could be healing for me. 🙂 Thank you for the nudge, Bonnie, because sometimes that’s just what we need. We really are not the only ones, and even the not so good stuff can be turned into something positive. All of this is really quite exciting for me!
Oh, and I certainly appreciate your illustrating talent and how you have captured the mystery of life through a child’s eyes. I wish you continued creativity.
November 10, 2010 at 6:59 pm
laurasalas
I’m with Lynn–I’ve blocked out most of my childhood embarrassments! But I still remember several totally humiliating incidents, and a twist on one of them just made it onto the page for today’s idea. Thanks!
November 10, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Lori
Thanks for the great post! You really got me thinking about my childhood misconceptions – the problem is – there are so many, it’ll be hard to choose which one to write about!
November 10, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Julie
Lovely interview – *waves to Bonnie* Can’t resist praying I’ll win one of the fabulous sketches.
It’s so true that kids see the world very differently from adults. Some of the best PBs exploit that disconnect (like Parts, by Tedd Arnold).
Now I’ll have to think about what some of my own were…
November 10, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Ishta Mercurio-Wentworth
This was a great reminder – I see the effects of verbal misunderstandings so often in my three-year-old, bless him.
Thank you for the post, and for the fabulous giveaway! (crosses fingers…)
November 11, 2010 at 9:20 am
pavinee
Fun post and sketches are adorable!
November 11, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Debbie Austin
I loved your illustrations and your invitation to remember what it was like to be a child when some things just didn’t make sense. I love the idea of making sense out of them in a picture book! I think I just got my spark for the day. Thanks!
November 11, 2010 at 5:06 pm
nikiofware
Awesome post Bonnie! Love the cartoons. You are fabulous!
November 11, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Judith
The dresser drawer works unless you have an older sister who is jealous. Ha! The illustrations are fun–I’m in awe of anyone who can draw. Childhood memories are great fodder for writing. In my case, the genre would be historical fiction–no actually these universal themes transcend time. Thanks for the post.
Judith
November 12, 2010 at 10:29 am
Doris Fisher
I loved the dinosaur idea of a real animal and then finding a skeleton at the museum…wonderful fun!
November 13, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Valarie Giogas
The illustrations are PERFECT examples!! Too funny.
November 14, 2010 at 8:54 am
peg366
Bonnie,
Once again you come through with a great guest blog post. It highlights your great sense of humor. Love your sketches and of course the pictures. I love the dinosaur. From someone for whom drawing stick figures is a challenge, I could spend hours looking at your work. Not to mention what a great person you are. Hope to be able to join you on #pblitchat and #kidlitchat soon.
November 14, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Linda Dimmer
Shhh…don’t tell Edwina that dinosaurs are extinct! Fabulous and funny post! 🙂
November 17, 2010 at 11:51 am
tara
A winner has been randomly selected–Nina Crittenden! Congratulations, Nina. I sent you an email. Please let me know which illustration you want–dinosaur, royalty or superhero!
January 9, 2019 at 12:42 am
Moon Bishop
How is every blog post awesome? Love!