Kids says the darndest things. And who better to give picture book authors great ideas than their readers? I asked Mrs. Lombardo’s 2nd Grade and Mrs. Mozer’s 3rd Grade classes what kind of book they would like to write and why.
“If I could publish a children’s book, it would be about…”
“Dragons because a lot of little boys like dragons.” – Oscar
“Soccer because I could teach others how to play soccer.” – Victor
“Dinosaurs because children like the T. Rex, triceratops and others.” – Aidan M.
“Friendship because children should learn how to be nice to each other.” – Mark
“Presidents because they are important for our country.” – Marshal
“Turkeys because it’s November.” – Dylan
“A girl and a boy walking in the woods and a witch would take them and bring them home. I would write it so some people would get scared a little bit.” – Taylor
“Dragons because I like dragons.” – Chris
“A little funny eraser who has big adventures all around the world because kids always like adventures.” – Gabriela
“Animals because lots of people like animals.” – Eliana
“Vampires and aliens because that is what most kids like.” – Annika
“A kid getting a pet. I would do it because they might like the book.” – Angelina
“Two girls who buy cotton candy. One of the girls eats it and the other one doesn’t. So it makes fun of that cotton candy. I would write this story because it makes me laugh.” – Neda
“Dragons. My book will be about dragons because it’s easy to make the problem and solve the problem.” – Thomas
“Friends because at school we learn about being bullied and good friends have to be nice to each other.” – Kyle
“Snow because children like to play in snow.” – Payoon
“Valentine’s Day because a lot of people like Valentine’s Day.” – Rebecca
“A girl and a boy helping others because other people could help others, too.” – Sophia
“A long time ago so kids can learn about a long time ago.” – Aidan Z.
“Christmas because it’s my favorite holiday.” – Halle
“A scarecrow, pumpkin, witch, house, people, crayons, lunch, snack, class. You could write a school.” – Vikesh
“A boy that could fly because it would be cool to see the world.” – George
“A boy who’s stuck in a haunted house because I like to tell spooky stories and it would be a cool adventure.” – Melanie
“A boy who could create pictures in his mind and make things happen because I think that would be exciting.” – Nick
“A girl who plays soccer because I think it would be interesting to read about a girl like me.” – Leah
“A girl who was teased because she was so good at math because I’m so good at math.” – Sophie
“A girl that has powers because I think that would be interesting.” – Hanna
“Dinosaurs because kids really like dinosaurs.” – Pierson
“A girl in a wheelchair because it would be cool to see how she dealt with school and her differences.” – Alex
“A girl that could fly because I would love to fly.” – Ella
“A girl that could go anywhere because she’d be able to get anything.” – Meredith
“A girl that wanted a dog because I want a dog and can’t get one.” – Denise
“A bear that is lazy and never helps people because it would be funny.” – Christian
“A boy who could fly because it’s my dream to fly and it would be cool to read about.” – Matthew
“People with powers because that would be cool.” – Jenna
“A boy who could fly because I like fantasy.” – Jimmy
“An alien who is friends with a boy because it would be cool.” – Julia
“A boy that could do amazing things because that would be interesting to read.” – Alexander
“A boy with super powers because that would be awesome.” – Henry
“Football because I know a lot about it and I play football.” – Tucker
“A kid who stunk at soccer and then becomes the best player on his team because it would be a good book.” – Lucas
“A boy who could fly because a lot of children want to fly and would like to read a book about it.” – Ethan
“A girl that has a brother and sister that annoys her a lot because I have a brother and sister that annoy me.” – Abby
35 comments
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November 15, 2010 at 6:37 pm
kathleen duey
The premise of Monstore is VERY cool. I look forward to reading it.
I will now reread the kids’ list to figure out what to write next….!
November 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Stace
Ha ha ha, I want to read a book about Turkeys too, because it’s November!
It seems clear from this that little boys want to read about boys and girls want to read about girls. Yet so often I’ve heard that old chestnut: ‘Boys only read about boys but girls will read about boys OR girls.’
November 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Corey Schwartz
Okay, I guess I need to get started on a book where the MC flies!
November 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Michael Sussman
These are great, Tara.
The children’s responses remind me of this quote from Zen master, Shunryu Suzuki:
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”
November 15, 2010 at 7:51 pm
tara
I love that quote, Michael.
November 15, 2010 at 7:35 pm
cravevsworld
I LOVE THIS POST!
My favorite is: “A little funny eraser who has big adventures all around the world because kids always like adventures.” – Gabriela
I’ve already gone insane developing it into a story.
Is anyone interested in me pooling Japanese students on the same question. I’m curious to compare/contrast.
Happy Writing Everyone!
Crave Cravak
http://www.cravewriting.wordpress.com
November 15, 2010 at 7:49 pm
tara
Crave, since I know you’re in Japan, I thought you would find this interesting…the “eraser” the girl is referring to is a Japanese eraser! They are hot right now. They’re shaped like little animals and food and come apart into a few pieces. They’re so popular now, they are banned at my daughter’s school.
And yeah, I’d love to hear answers from Japanese youngsters.
November 15, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Crave Cravak
Wow! That’s interesting. Thank you.
Why on earth would a school ban an eraser? Hahaha.
I should bring a bunch back to the states. You can easily find them at the 100yen shop. (1dollar store)
Actually, I have a secret affection for erasers. When I was in the 2nd grade, a friendly competition among friends turned into a 400+ novelty eraser collection. The rubbermaid box full of them still sits in my parent’s basement.
– Crave
November 16, 2010 at 6:42 am
laurasalas
Would love to hear your students’ answers!
November 15, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Janice D. Green
I love this list. I think I should ask this question of the students who come to my library.
November 15, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Joanne Fritz
How adorable! And what a great post. Lots of wonderful idea-starters, there. I especially like this one:
“Dragons. My book will be about dragons because it’s easy to make the problem and solve the problem.” – Thomas
But shouldn’t these kids be writing the stories themselves? They’re the ones with all the imagination. I’m impressed.
November 15, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Chris Singer
Such a cool post! Some great ideas here too 🙂
November 15, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Alyssa
So I guess we should all furiously begin our stories about a dragon and a dinosaur who are friends with a boy and girl who can fly who have the power to help people pick out the perfect pet while teaching them about being nice and how to play soccer, even kids in wheelchairs, after everyone enjoys a great holiday celebration together despite the lazy bear who won’t help anyone. Ready… Go!
This was a great idea Tara! Thanks for posting. I’ve been stealing ideas from my four year old daughters all month. Good to get the perspective of older kids!
November 15, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Melissa Liban
What a fantastic post, 7/8 is a great age, they have the best ideas! I student taught in the second grade and this made me think my class!
November 15, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Christie Wild
Too much fun! Some made me laugh out loud. Some made me say, “Awww…” It was really cool to see their reasonings behind their answers.
I guess I need to write my dragon book, after all. Like finish it, really. Okay, and start it, too. I have a rough outline, though. Everyone keeps asking if I’ve finished it, yet. Okay, I’M WRITING!!!
November 16, 2010 at 12:16 am
Julie
I LOVE this post – what a great way to get ideas ad get inspired. Also, my PiBo idea for today features a dragon as the MC. It’s also the first idea I’ve fallen completely in love with. Good timing!
November 16, 2010 at 3:05 am
Dana Carey
Great list! Useful reminder of what kids like and how they think. Wanting powers, to be able to fly…
Lots to think about here!
November 16, 2010 at 5:48 am
Rebecca Colby
This posting is pure gold dust! Great idea! And not only have the children told us what they want to read, but the compilation supplies a contemporary list of names to be used as children’s characters. This is often my downfall. Choosing names that were popular in my generation. Thanks for sharing.
November 16, 2010 at 6:44 am
laurasalas
Fun list! I’m in love with the lazy bear and am fascinated by how many kids see stories as teaching tools. Thanks for sharing these answers…
November 16, 2010 at 9:05 am
JonnyB
cotton candy makes fun of another cotton candy for getting eaten? genius
November 16, 2010 at 10:20 am
Lynne Marie
Love these ideas ❤ It looks like a needs list to me, and now know just who to send my stories to, with no hesitation ;).
November 16, 2010 at 11:22 am
Catherine Denton
This is hilarious! I love that dragons appeared several times.
Catherine Denton
November 16, 2010 at 11:52 am
Nicole Zoltack
Awesome post! Hilarious.
November 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
ccgevry
These are great. I would love to see what happens with so many of them.
November 16, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Kelly H-Y
Seriously … my son has come up with ideas that are spectacular … but I need HIS imagination to figure out how to make it work!!! Kids really do have the BEST imaginations and ideas, because they don’t limit themselves. LOVED this post!
November 16, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Catherine Johnson
These are wonderful, thank you so much for sharing. I so want to write the story about a scarecrow, a pumpkin and a witch!
November 16, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Doris Fisher
A wonderful post to glimpse inside the thoughts and emotions of children and what intrigues them, what they love, what they want and what they fantasize about. I was surprised by the nonfiction thoughts.
November 17, 2010 at 12:02 am
Jessica Stanford
Mrs. L and Mrs M., If you’re reading this post, Scholastic has a writing contest for kids every year. Here are the details. http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp
The winning group has their book published. Of course, be forewarned, my 2nd grade class is going to win this year!
November 17, 2010 at 4:41 am
M. G. King
Would love to know how Thomas would solve his dragon problem. Quick, give these kids pencils!
November 17, 2010 at 10:53 am
Heather Kephart
Entertaining and sweet, but also great information! Thanks. Love Taylor, “…I would write it so some people would get scared a little bit.”
November 17, 2010 at 11:48 am
LadyJai
where better to get story ideas but from those who read them?
November 18, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Diana Murray
Excellent! And Dylan, your wish is my command!
November 19, 2010 at 1:19 am
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
I love stealing ideas from kids I meet at schools & my own two daughters. They always come up with the best one-liners!
November 22, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Chrissa Pedersen
Mining kids minds for ideas, great!
November 22, 2015 at 5:19 pm
katz
Thomas really understands the principles of good storytelling. But they’re all great!