Vintage Esso/Exxon Ad
January 1, 2026 8:30 am
by Tara Lazar
“Happy Morning!”
What a nice way to greet my parents and I as we topped off the tank at our local gas station.
But something bothered me about those bright red letters hanging above the garage bays. Why were they only wishing us a good morning? Didn’t people buy gas in the afternoon and evening, too?
Every time we visited that station, I stared at those letters, hoping to extract secret meaning out of them. I only got more upset. Happy morning, happy morning, HAPPY MORNING! I knew there was something I was missing. But what???
Then, as I grew a teeny bit older, and therefore became a better reader, it finally hit me!
Vintage Esso/Exxon Ad
Those letters never said “morning”! They read M-O-T-O-R-I-N-G!
Boy, was I mad at myself. I was in the top reading group in Mrs. Merell’s class. How could I have misread that?
Lots of things go right over a child’s head.
Take another Tara-in-the-back-seat-of-a-Pontiac misunderstanding. Right before that gas station, there was a sign for the Garden State Parkway.
Credit: gardenstatesignals.net
Likewise, I stared at that sign, trying to make it make sense. I didn’t understand what the side-profile of a little girl wearing a bonnet (like my Holly Hobbie doll) and standing on one leg had to do with New Jersey roads.
It was only later, after school geography units and home-state history, that I recognized the shape of the Garden State. Moreover, that yellow line wasn’t a loose bonnet tie, but the road that brought us “down the shore”.
Misunderstandings abound in childhood. We are learning everything about the world, so we’re bound to get a few things wrong. Think of Amelia Bedelia, childlike in her innocence, drawing the curtains like an artist instead of like a maid. My book 7 ATE 9 also comes from a homophone misunderstanding–ATE instead of EIGHT.
So for the first day of Storystorm, think back to your younger days. What did you misunderstand? Is there a story there? Could one be invented? What mistakes could a modern kiddo kid around with?
I hope you have a happy morning this first day of Storystorm 2026!
And a happy afternoon and evening, too!
A note about PRIZES THIS YEAR. There will not be daily prizes as in years past. There will be GRAND PRIZES at the conclusion of Storystorm, of course, where lucky winners will receive agent feedback on their best five ideas. Plus there will be some individual AMA video call giveaways. So you don’t need to comment on every daily post. But, it sure would be great to hear your thoughts anyway!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM 2026
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great idea!
By jcherney3 on January 1, 2026 at 8:35 am
In the days before you could look up song lyrics, I remember getting many of those wrong. I thought “I shot the sheriff” was “eye-shocker Sherri”! My brothers teased me for years about that one.
By ejdthomasville on January 1, 2026 at 8:45 am
I thought “put another dime in the jukebox” was “put another dime in the shoebox” Because of course she would be saving up to follow her dreams, if she loved rock and roll so much! 🙂
By Veronica Bartles on January 1, 2026 at 1:40 pm
That’s funny!
By ejdthomasville on January 2, 2026 at 12:07 am
That’s so funny and cute! Thanks for the laugh.
By Juli Jones on January 1, 2026 at 3:00 pm
You’re welcome!
By ejdthomasville on January 2, 2026 at 12:08 am
SAME! I’m still finding out I’ve been singing lyrics wrong all my life. Lol
By Tatum Evans on January 3, 2026 at 12:11 pm
This is a fun suggestion. I plan to spend the day thinking about this because I cannot recall anything off the top of my head which I am taking to mean that whatever misunderstandings I had as a kid have never been resolved! (Gulp!)
By Elizabeth Volkmann on January 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
I’m the same way. Still trying to remember.
By Adriana Gutierrez on January 2, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Mondegrens are my favorite! “Doughnuts make my brown eyes blue…”
By Joyce P. Uglow on January 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
This is very funny Joyce! Thanks for sharing.
By Leslie Degnan on January 1, 2026 at 2:11 pm
This is a fun idea! I’ll have to be on the lookout for those today.
By Andrea Mack on January 1, 2026 at 8:52 am
This is a fun idea! I’ll have to be on the lookout for those today.
By Andrea Mack on January 1, 2026 at 8:52 am
What a fun walk down memory lane! I am a child of the 70s, when daytime dramas were very popular. For the longest time I thought people were sitting around watching “Soap Boppers”!🤣🤣
By kcollazo on January 1, 2026 at 8:56 am
That’s funny! I had a friend who thought her mom watched “Soda Poppers.” 😆
By lisakdaviswriting on January 1, 2026 at 8:49 pm
i read Monkey Shines as money shines. It does if you polish it.
By reluctantspy on January 1, 2026 at 8:59 am
Happy New Year! Thanks for starting us off on the right foot–it’s a great reminder to ask for/gain clarity before we let our emotions overcome us. Misunderstandings happen for adults, too, and if we can laugh at them instead of being angry or hurt oh how lovely that would be!
By karenleewyoming on January 1, 2026 at 8:59 am
Happy New Year! Thanks for starting us off on the right foot–it’s a great reminder to ask for/gain clarity before we let our emotions overcome us. Misunderstandings happen for adults, too, and if we can laugh at them instead of being angry or hurt oh how lovely that would be!
By karenleewyoming on January 1, 2026 at 8:59 am
Happy New Year! Thanks for starting us off on the right foot–it’s a great reminder to ask for/gain clarity before we let our emotions overcome us. Misunderstandings happen for adults, too, and if we can laugh at them instead of being angry or hurt oh how lovely that would be!
By karenleewyoming on January 1, 2026 at 8:59 am
Happy New Year! Thanks for starting us off on the right foot–it’s a great reminder to ask for/gain clarity before we let our emotions overcome us. Misunderstandings happen for adults, too, and if we can laugh at them instead of being angry or hurt oh how lovely that would be!
By karenleewyoming on January 1, 2026 at 8:59 am
I was served powdered skim milk in my childhood. But I was sure I was being served “skin” milk. You know, the powder had skin in it. Whose skin? Human? Animal? Ewew!
By escottb911 on January 1, 2026 at 9:02 am
I was served powdered skim milk in my childhood. But I was sure I was being served “skin” milk. You know, the powder had skin in it. Whose skin? Human? Animal? Ewew!
By escottb911 on January 1, 2026 at 9:02 am
So great to be back, Tara! Thank you. And right off the bat, I have an idea:) Happy New Year
By thecrowsmap on January 1, 2026 at 9:03 am
me being irate as a child saying that it couldn’t possibly rain cats and dogs
By Bhandi on January 1, 2026 at 9:04 am
I have a few whopper misunderstandings. Thanks for the suggestion to create stories around them. Happy New Year!
By amyhouts on January 1, 2026 at 9:05 am
Thanks Tara for reminding me to write like a child.
By Jany Campana on January 1, 2026 at 9:06 am
This will be great fun! I’m a 1st grade teacher, so I hear them all the time! The most famous one: (reciting the alphabet) j, k, l “enthen” o, p…
I can’t wait to take my Idea Book to school and start really keeping track!
By roundswrite on January 1, 2026 at 9:09 am
This is such an intriguing idea! I can think of one big misconception off the bat!
By mbhmaine on January 1, 2026 at 9:10 am
Happy New Year! Great idea, I can think of some to start my list.
By Andree Santini on January 1, 2026 at 9:12 am
Great post Tara, thank you.
By kckass on January 1, 2026 at 9:12 am
Happy ‘26! Ohhh, a fun walk through nostalgia and innocence! Love it!
By lucystaugler on January 1, 2026 at 9:18 am
Happy New Year, y’all! Thank you so much for the inspiration, Tara. I’m looking forward to a very happy morning of Storystorming.
By Andy Wowor on January 1, 2026 at 9:21 am
There was one word I always misread when I was a child.
Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg
By Deborah Amadei on January 1, 2026 at 9:23 am
Oh, yeah, Tara! The way we misunderstand things as a kid! Solid gold for ideas!
By kathalsey on January 1, 2026 at 9:23 am
It’s great to be back! Thanks, Tara, and happy new year. I have my first idea:)
By thecrowsmap on January 1, 2026 at 9:28 am
I’m going to have to think on this one – but I can so relate to all the misheard song comments! Fun start, thanks, Tara!
By ejessmurray on January 1, 2026 at 9:29 am
I believed that financial difficulties were reflected in having to prepare and consume the behinds of animals: “Making end’s meat”
Tell me I wasn’t alone.
By Mel Rosenberg on January 1, 2026 at 9:32 am
That one made me laugh!
By Joy Wieder on January 1, 2026 at 12:46 pm
I never understood why we measured the outdoor temperature on the windshield! You know, the “windshield factor”! HNY!
By julie rowan zoch on January 3, 2026 at 10:40 am
Love it!
By Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG! on January 2, 2026 at 12:26 am
Ha!, Oh my.
By Maria Marshall on January 2, 2026 at 1:25 am
Happy New Year, Tara!
What a fun way to start Story Storm. I’m already listing misunderstandings.
By bsenenman on January 1, 2026 at 9:36 am
Fun! Happy New Year!
By cynthiagradybooks on January 1, 2026 at 9:45 am
What a great post to start Storystorm with. Happy New Year!
By pathaap on January 1, 2026 at 9:48 am
I am dredging up some misunderstood words from childhood and realize most of mine are from songs. Thank you.
Susan Burdorf
By Susan Burdorf on January 1, 2026 at 9:49 am
Happy Year Tara!!
Cheers!
By Kimberly Marcus on January 1, 2026 at 9:53 am
I love this idea! I’ll be thinking about this today. Looking forward to going back in time. Thanks!
By Mariana Ríos on January 1, 2026 at 9:53 am
Thanks for kicking us off so well, Tara. I can remember hearing song lyrics as a tween, and totally thinking they were something else. I often did not realize that the words were wrong until I looked at them as a grown-up. So misunderstandings can carry on till we are older.
Happy Story Storming!
By cathystenquist on January 1, 2026 at 9:58 am
Love this! Happy New Year and Day 1 of Storystorm everyone.
By leahmoserwrites on January 1, 2026 at 9:58 am
Happy New Year Tara! Great first post.
By Mirka H on January 1, 2026 at 10:02 am
This is a great idea. Thanks and happy new year!
By anchance on January 1, 2026 at 10:03 am
I thought “misewell” was a word until I was in college! Haha the way my family said “might as well” always sounded like one word to me. Thanks Tara and looking forward to this years Storystorm!
By brightwishbooks on January 1, 2026 at 10:03 am
That is hilarious!
By Stine Writing and Miniatures on January 1, 2026 at 10:43 am
Same! And now my husband’s family said “mise-on” which confuses me even more. Lol
By Tatum Evans on January 3, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Today’s prompt put me in a Seussian frame of mind. It makes me want to write silly rhymes of all different kinds from my wonky misunderstandings.
By susanjobskya73d148763 on January 1, 2026 at 10:05 am
Today’s prompt put me in a Seussian frame of mind. It makes me want to write silly rhymes of all different kinds from my wonky misunderstandings.
By susanjobskya73d148763 on January 1, 2026 at 10:05 am
Thanks for sharing your misunderstandings – so funny! The first thing that popped into my mind was a misunderstanding a friend told me about; when he was a kid, he thought the wedding song was, Here comes the bride, all dressed and wide. Because of her big dress!
By ConstanceL on January 1, 2026 at 10:10 am
Great prompt to start with!
By Mary A Zychowicz on January 1, 2026 at 10:11 am
I misunderstood so much as a child, and I continue to do so as an adult! But I’m happy to share that I’m motoring this morning – a new adventure where I know I’ll misunderstand at least a few new things! Happy 2026!
By ptnozell on January 1, 2026 at 10:15 am
thankyou Tara Misunderstandins! What a great way to think of new story ideas. Happy New Year, all.
By Stephanie Wildman on January 1, 2026 at 10:19 am
Thanks for the prompt! I wrote down nine misunderstandings I remember. This one wouldn’t make a good picture book, but it is funny: I thought the end of the Pledge of Allegiance, “And liberty with justice for all,” said ‘bra’ instead of ‘all.’ In second grade, I was asked to say the pledge on the intercom, but I refused because I knew I must have the word wrong, but I didn’t know what it was.
Justice for bras!
By margaretkwrites on January 1, 2026 at 10:31 am
I have a memory on the tip of my brain…you jogged something in there!
By Stine Writing and Miniatures on January 1, 2026 at 10:32 am
Fun post, Tara! My 20-year-old, 3rd culture kid, just had a funny misunderstanding the other day. I’m writing it down 🙂
By tinamcho on January 1, 2026 at 10:33 am
Happy morning, happy motoring, and happy new year! Thank you for hosting Storystorm again and kicking it off in such a fun way!
By Jennifer on January 1, 2026 at 10:34 am
This post is oh so perfect for today since I am being read Amelia Bedelia at the breakfast table & I moved to New Jersey six months ago so I was unaware of the shape of the state. 🤷🏼♀️
By authorlaurablog on January 1, 2026 at 10:35 am
I love this !
By migratingmoosegmailcom on January 1, 2026 at 10:37 am
Happy New Year! Writing every day is prize enough!
By dabney4wmb on January 1, 2026 at 10:41 am
This is a fun topic to think about- not only my own misunderstandings, but those of my children as well! Thanks for thrip down ‘memory lane’- Where is that street, anyway??!?)
By nigel8it on January 1, 2026 at 10:41 am
I got the biggest kick out of this idea — not just the misunderstandings, but the sense of OUTRAGE over them. This was absolutely me as a kid — not only did I misunderstand all sorts of things, but I was kinda furious about it, too. (I guess I REALLY wanted the world to make sense … or else!)
By secretlyfoxa66d940b7c on January 1, 2026 at 10:43 am
What a great way to start by looking back on our humorous misunderstandings in childhood. Although they may not have seemed humorous to us at the time!
By kathleengauer on January 1, 2026 at 10:45 am
Love this idea, Tara! I am recalling my Pontiac days as well. : )
By Tracey Kiff-Judson on January 1, 2026 at 10:46 am
Jersey beach native here–I never saw the child in the bonnet but I appreciate that you did! It is our unique way of looking at things that makes our work special!
By lisajeanrogers on January 1, 2026 at 10:49 am
Smart tip! Thanks Tara!
By jenfierjasinski on January 1, 2026 at 10:57 am
A great suggestion, and a great way to start out the year!
By Cathy Stefanec Ogren on January 1, 2026 at 11:02 am
This one isn’t my misunderstanding, but when four, my daughter thought a credit card was reusable money in that you didn’t have to fork it over and they gave it back to you when you bought something LOL Thanks for the inspiration!
By Lynne Marie on January 1, 2026 at 11:03 am
This made me remember a picture book my brother had when we were little about a cat named Bendemolena who wore a pot on her head and it covered her ears so she always misheard things, which of course led to humorous results!
Thanks for this fun prompt to start the new year. This is my first year participating in storystorm and I am excited to get to work!
By Rebecca S on January 1, 2026 at 11:05 am
A misunderstanding about books by a confident main character is the premise of my latest published picture book. Happy to be here for another Storystorm, Tara!
By ginaperry2013 on January 1, 2026 at 11:08 am
What a fun trip down memory lane!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 1, 2026 at 11:18 am
Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you, Tara, for starting us with such a whimsical prompt, your style. And cheers to the Garden State – bonnet or not.
By ralucasirbu on January 1, 2026 at 11:18 am
Oh my golly, this brings back some memories. Like the time I looked at a billboard and sounded out to myself “Red-is-cover,” and was confused as heck because nothing on the billboard was red and what exactly did it cover? I kept sounding it out each time I saw the billboard, but it was only days later when the penny dropped, and I discovered my mistake. Thanks for the fun prompt and the trip down Memory Lane.
By Angela De Groot on January 1, 2026 at 11:21 am
So funny! My students do stuff like that too.
By Adriana Gutierrez on January 2, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Happy New Year! Fun prompt, I have thought of a couple of things but will be pondering this topic all day! Great to be starting Storystorm again! Thank you for doing this!
By Pam Barton on January 1, 2026 at 11:25 am
Your story about the gas station took me down memory lane, Tara! When I was little, Exxon was Esso, but I read the E backwards and thought it was a 3. I couldn’t figure out what “three s’s” had to do with buying gas, and why it said three s’s when there were only two. Thanks for the great start to Storystorm.
By rosecappelli on January 1, 2026 at 11:27 am
Emma Hulin
By Emma on January 1, 2026 at 11:28 am
probably not a picture book but “a salt and battery ” – here’s the thing I understood they had attacked a person, I just thought we called it that.
I had numerous mistakes in the Lord’s prayer, the national anthem… I still am the worst with song lyrics.
So yes- there must be an idea or two in this.
By Reed Hilton-Eddy on January 1, 2026 at 11:30 am
I still crack my friends up when I share my, “you won’t believe what my brain saw the first time I read that” stories…..
By zoodocwrites on January 1, 2026 at 11:31 am
Thank you, Tara. You always get the juices going, or should I say you start my engine motoring on the New Jersey Turnpike of my imagination?
By Joyce Frank on January 1, 2026 at 11:38 am
Happy New Year Tara!
By Nadine Poper on January 1, 2026 at 11:40 am
Happy New Year! This post really hit home because this former (but always) Jersey Girl thought the same thing! I ALWAYS read that Esso (yes, I’m old) sign as “Happy Morning” when I was little. Thanks for the memory!
By Ellen Leventhal on January 1, 2026 at 11:43 am
This is a terrific idea!
By LaurenKerstein on January 1, 2026 at 11:43 am
Happy New Year and thank you for this post. I still love Amelia Bedelia and am excited by today’s prompt train of thought!
By bookclubhbhs on January 1, 2026 at 11:43 am
And so it begins … Happy New Storystorm everyone!
By joanlongstaff on January 1, 2026 at 11:47 am
Happy New Year everyone! May you have at least 2026 new Storystorm ideas!!
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on January 1, 2026 at 11:52 am
My 7 year old loves K-Pop Demon Hunters, but for the longest time she thought it was Cake Pop Demon Hunters. We still refer to them that way!
By kirstenbockblog on January 1, 2026 at 11:52 am
Love this! Cake 🎂!!
By Kristy Nuttall on January 1, 2026 at 6:43 pm
A great way to begin the new year!
By Becky Ross Michael on January 1, 2026 at 11:53 am
Haliarious! (now what could that mean?) Thanks for the great exercise, Tara. Happy New Year to all!
By Poupette on January 1, 2026 at 11:55 am
I look forward to this tradition every year. Thank you!
By kellyclasenwriter on January 1, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Love this idea, Tara! And happy new year!
By juliereich on January 1, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Thank you, Tara, and Happy New Year! Looking forward to this year’s Storystorm. Good luck, everyone!
By Teresa Rodrigues on January 1, 2026 at 12:06 pm
i must be getting melancholy with the ideas in my head.
happy new year
By BirdinaCage on January 1, 2026 at 12:07 pm
I always thought the Christmas song meant- “Up on the housetop the reindeer paws…” Which I thought was odd, because they don’t have paws. Hahaha. This is a fun idea.
By artisanenthusiastically77d307a479 on January 1, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Many childhood experiences of misunderstanding and “miss-hearing” my parents swooped into my head while reading your post, Tara. Such a fun tip for culling story ideas. Thanks!
By marshaelyn on January 1, 2026 at 12:12 pm
I can remember when I was sitting in the waiting area of when my sister was taking ballet lessons, I was talking too. loud. when the ballet teacher told me I was too loud, I said, “Say you’re sorry!” I said that because I was so hurt and such a sensitive little girl. I was probably three or four years old. When I wouldn’t stop, he shut the dance hall door to the waiting area. My sister, now sadly deceased, was twenty months older than me. I guess you could call that a misunderstanding. 🙂
By 4solivia on January 1, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Haha! Love this idea! Even in high school, I frequently misunderstood expressions and song lyrics. In fact, I thought Hall & Oates was “Haulin’ Oats” until someone mentioned their first names and I was like, “Oh, I get it now!”
By melissajmiles1 on January 1, 2026 at 12:14 pm
This is so funny! I still do this as an adult. haha
By leslieevatayloe on January 1, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Happy 2026, Storystormers! Oh, my! Memories of misunderstanding or “miss-hearing” my parents swooped into my head. What a fun tip for culling story ideas. Thanks, Tara! Let the stories begin!
By marshaelyn on January 1, 2026 at 12:16 pm
There are so many funny memories that others have shared. I will have to think about my childhood ones because my kids are constantly filling my head with misunderstandings. Such a fun exercise in idea gathering!
By successfullight41057d635f on January 1, 2026 at 12:17 pm
This will be a fun one to brainstorm on – thank you! It is funny how misunderstandings and mistakes can help inspire creativity!
By Robynn Hyde on January 1, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Haha Love this first fun post. I had so many misheard/misunderstood things as a kid.
By DTDelosh on January 1, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Oh, this is such a fun one! Thanks, Tara!
By Barbara Kimmel on January 1, 2026 at 12:27 pm
A fun way to start the new year!
By Joy Wieder on January 1, 2026 at 12:42 pm
What an awesome prompt. Thank you
By Claudine Pullen on January 1, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Oh, this has started my morning off right. I’ve already got a few ideas written down. Thank you, Tara, for another Storystorm! Happy new year and happy writing, everyone!
By serendipityinstars on January 1, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Great thinking, Tara. My dad had knee surgery when I was a kid. The doctor told him that he couldn’t run anymore. When I saw him jogging across the soccer field as he was reffing the game, I was afraid his knees would explode or something.
By karammitchell on January 1, 2026 at 12:54 pm
playful start! Thank you for every year of this!
By Bronte on January 1, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Here’s a Christmas one…”While shepherds washed their socks by night all seated on the ground!?!” A familiar carol for those who love to do laundry!
By syorkeviney on January 1, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Thanks, Tara. As usual, you’re helping us brainstorming right out of the gate in 2026. You are an idea machine!!! Loving it already!!!
By Mona Pease on January 1, 2026 at 1:08 pm
What a great way to start the year! You can’t hide Hawaiian eyes never made sense until I finally listened harder and realized it was your ly’n eyes.
By mlyablonaolcom on January 1, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Great idea! I have some funny memories of things my children said when they were young, and humorous stories my students told me when I was a teacher. The ideas are flowing now! Happy New Year, Tara.
By debnov on January 1, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Thanks for the suggestion. It sparked an idea! Happy New Year!
By krispytyphooncc9597646d on January 1, 2026 at 1:20 pm
What a great idea. My mom would miss hear things and the best was an ad on TV where they sang “Live Eye Witness News” and she thought is was “Bye Bye Windex Blues” 🙂
By debbuschman on January 1, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Tara, always a great way to start the year! Thanks for today’s fun prompt. Happy New Year!
By sue macartney on January 1, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Tara, always a great way to start the year! Thanks for today’s fun prompt. Happy New Year!
By sue macartney on January 1, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Super cute story! Thanks Tara. This is my first year doing Story Storm – thanks for putting it out there.
By Cynthia Leavitt on January 1, 2026 at 1:33 pm
I love, love, love this post. It reminds me of the MANY misunderstandings in my childhood. Now, if I could just write about them. That’s the difficult part. Thank you so much for your woder ideas!
By schellijo on January 1, 2026 at 1:33 pm
corrected to say wonderful ideas!
By schellijo on January 1, 2026 at 1:35 pm
That’s funny. I wish I could remember back that far and what I didnt understand. LOL
By widgetgeneral588d3baf5c on January 1, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Misunderstandings? I’ve had plenty – still do – from misheard song lyrics to reading things too fast and missing letters (and getting some very funny results…)
By Sue Heavenrich on January 1, 2026 at 1:36 pm
I have always loved Amelia Bedelia. I love the suggestion to focus on childhood misunderstandings. I’m going to have so much fun with this today. Thank you, Tara!
By heidikyates on January 1, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Happy New Year, All.
Tara, Thanks so much for Storystorm. What a fabulous way to start the year. No need to enter me for any prize at the end as I won last year.
By bethsbiblio on January 1, 2026 at 1:51 pm
These are great recollections, Tara! Thanks for sharing!
By mpray495 on January 1, 2026 at 1:53 pm
I didn’t misunderstand…I got trapped in a lie by my 2nd grade teacher whose son was in my father’s class. OUCH!
By rindabeach on January 1, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Not mine – but my sons’ – we were in Cedar Rapids IA for a day and as we left he was disappointed because “I didn’t get to see the bunnies!” (Cedar Rabbits….)
By Robin Currie on January 1, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Super prompt to kick off 2026! And plenty to choose from…
By sullyweston on January 1, 2026 at 1:59 pm
It’s been such fun reading comments and the childhood misunderstandings of others! I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school…”and to the Republic for witches and…” Witches?! LOL.
By Leslie Degnan on January 1, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Thanks for the prompt and for getting us started thinking ideas this year! Happy New Year to all! 🙂
By Claudia Sloan on January 1, 2026 at 2:21 pm
I was mad at my mom. She said things were going to change when she went to jail in two months. So I waited for her to go to jail. Imagine my surprise when she went to school, not to jail.
By Diane McBee on January 1, 2026 at 2:32 pm
There are a few that come to mind immediately. Thanks, Tara.
By nycbgriffin on January 1, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Oh, so good. I can definitely relate. I went into a department store when I was 19 (!) asking for a ‘sadin’ (fitted bedsheet), not realizing all this time that that was actually a Hebrew-not English- word.
I got some interesting looks from the store clerk for sure.
By Danya Vasquez David on January 1, 2026 at 2:34 pm
I used to sometimes get song lyrics wrong. I occasionally still do, but now with the internet, I can look them up. : )
By Linda KulpTrout on January 1, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Oh geez- song lyrics, I’m sure. I thought the Genius in the board/guessing game ‘Guess Who?’ was Guinness (as in world records, not the beer).
By Erik Ammon on January 1, 2026 at 2:46 pm
There’s a snow day quality to this new leaf, Tara! No daily comment necessary and those grand prizes! AMAs and agent feedback are FABULOUS Storystorm outcomes.
I always recall the preschoolers I taught discussing why they need to be a haive after I had asked a few times for them to behave.
When I was little I thought cats were girls and dogs were boys.
Your clever 7 Ate 9 picture book reminds me of the “I 8 a skunk” joke that hooks the innocent kid who hears I one a skunk and chirps I two a skunk and so on.
Fun! Thanks, Tara!
By marty on January 1, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Thank you for sharing this story! It reminded me of when I was much younger and I would climb onto my bunkbed and stare out the window trying to pronounce the word “Groceries” on a bright green awning before falling asleep. I did this for a few nights knowing that I was not saying this mysterious word right because whatever was coming out of my mouth didn’t sound correct. My pronunciation of the “o” sounded like the “o” in the word Hot. When I think back on this memory I laugh because I had been in this store many times with my mom to buy various items. I was always busy in the candy section while ignoring the produce and the meats and every other item that make up a grocery store. One night I changed my pronunciation of the “o” and I finally said it right. Groceries! Immediately after I heard an applause from behind. My dad had been observing me all those nights waiting for me to finally say the word right. We celebrated and laughed together as we realized how silly it was that I knew the word I had just never noticed it written out.
By Rose on January 1, 2026 at 2:53 pm
I used to stare at the picture on the instructions on the back of the little individual-sized boxes of cereal. The idea was that you could open the little doors and eat your cereal and milk right out of the box. But why did it show a weird-looking woman’s arm, wearing a big bangle? Took years for my brain to realize it was a glass milk bottle with the milk pouring out the bangle-sized spout.
By Kathy Ceceri on January 1, 2026 at 2:56 pm
I loved to sing but when I didn’t understand the words I made up my own. Especially at church. Our choir sang an anthem, “There’s a balm in Gilead” I sang “there’s a palm in the hand” and couldn’t understand why that was profound! 🙂
By TonyaAnn Pember on January 1, 2026 at 2:59 pm
When I was younger I thought musicians used to go to the radio station to play their songs, I had no idea that they used records…. 🙂
Thanks for reminding me about misunderstandings!
By susaninez0905 on January 1, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Great reminder to see the world through a child’s eyes! A little one in my life was very disappointed when their first fire drill at school (after much preparation) did not actually include a flaming power drill.
By vireson044gmailcom on January 1, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Happy misunderstandings of humor, love, even terror.
By Terry on January 1, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Love this prompt! This will take me for a walk down memory lane…now if only my memory would stop failing me!
By Rebecca Colby on January 1, 2026 at 3:05 pm
A fun low prep day to start out, love it.
By Jess on January 1, 2026 at 3:06 pm
This is so much fun, and has me thinking. Thanks, Tara! Happy New Year, everyone!
By Alison McGauley on January 1, 2026 at 3:10 pm
I’m dating myself, but does anyone remember when John Denver’s Country Roads played on the radio all day? For some reason I was convinced the old lady next door was West Virginia (I had no idea then that it was a state). I remember telling her about how my mom stood on a clock on the floor every morning because she was trying to lose weight.
By anitahaaswriter on January 1, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Thank you for this fun prompt. I sure remember singing song lyrics all wrong and my sister always correcting me. I think I liked making up my own words more than memorizing the right ones.
By Laurie Elmquist on January 1, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Haha! OMG!! For the first half of your blog I was SURE it said Happy Morning! What a great prompt to start the New Year with!
By brennajeanneret on January 1, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Children can be so literal in their understanding. They take something, try to make it fit in their own way of thinking and vola that’s it.
i remember doing that as a child.
By rachelcritchleya061056d76 on January 1, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Thank you ever so much! It was just lovely knowing Storystorm starts today. It’s the best way to start the year! It feels so good in my soul. ❤️
By Jayne Wilson on January 1, 2026 at 3:35 pm
I remember finding a golfball stamped “Titleist” and reading it like “tit least” and thinking, how rude!
By Deborah Williams on January 1, 2026 at 3:42 pm
What a great exercise- our childhoods’ are chock full of ideas and picture book stories in the making! Thanks for hosting this program for yet another year, Tara. Happy morning!
By Tara Cerven on January 1, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Thank you.
By kkeppol on January 1, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Great
By Gail Aherne on January 1, 2026 at 3:48 pm
I loved eating panacakes as child. Asked for them often. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I realized it was pancakes. That being said, my first story idea is a fun one. Thanks Tara for the seedling.
By Celeste on January 1, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Thank you, Tara! Love this ❤
By Andi Chitty on January 1, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Thanks, Tara, for the wonderful prompt, and “happy morning” to you too! I’m enjoying reading everyone else’s memories of misunderstandings, and have a few of my own too!
By Linda J Thomas on January 1, 2026 at 3:59 pm
I still misread and mishear things. My favorite childhood oopsie was hearing “there’s a bathroom on the right” instead of a bad moon on the rise.
By Wendy Greenley on January 1, 2026 at 3:59 pm
I love the idea of childhood misunderstanding. It’s funny but a number of my students misunderstood an illustration in The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. Once they say the watermelon in the crocodile’s tummy they didn’t want to read it as they misunderstood that the character was imagining what would happen not what happened.
By Jan Milusich on January 1, 2026 at 4:14 pm
My worst day of school started the first day of first grade. The teacher showed us where th bathrooms were locted down the hall, no longer safely nestled inside like my kindergarten classroom. I raised my hand to go and down the hall I went but when I got there, the was a sign on the door. I couldn’t read it and decided it MUST have said closed, so I didn’t dare go in. I went back- to shy and embarrassed to ask. Of course I peed my pants. I should have asked.
By Carol Peszko on January 1, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Love this first message! So fun to go back and think of a childhood misunderstanding! Happy New Year to you and all!
Mari
By mrbellasgmailcom on January 1, 2026 at 4:25 pm
I love this idea! I may have to interview a few friends to get their ideas too. Thanks!
By Helen M. Waters on January 1, 2026 at 4:27 pm
In the Song “Fun, Fun, Fun” I thought that after Daddy took the T-Bird away, the girl rode around with her Daddy in his car.
By Charlotte Glaze on January 1, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Love this post! It makes me think of Toto’s Africa “Ain’t nothin’ that a hundred men on Mars could ever do” I used to belt it out til years later, I realized that it didn’t makes sense and listened closer “There’s nothin’ that a hundred men or more could ever do.”
By Stacey Corrigan on January 1, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Thanks for the inspiration, Tara!
By sheepd1p on January 1, 2026 at 4:40 pm
I love the thought of childhood misunderstandings. Thanks for sharing this and the inspiration I know Storystorm will bring. Wishing you health and happiness in 2026…and of course, good writing news!
By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 1, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Misunderstandings of the grownup world are so common in childhood. Thanks for the prompt to consider those bits of gold.
By Teresa Fales on January 1, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Hilarious—I’ve got a bunch of those too. Happy motoring this Storystorm season!
By Joanne Roberts on January 1, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Great inspiration Tara. Thanks for starting the month with a fun writing challenge.
By bevbaird on January 1, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Looking forward to 2026!
By christym1234 on January 1, 2026 at 4:59 pm
This was a great prompt, Tara. I have a bunch of memories of childhood misunderstandings. I’ll have to search my memory bank to remember them all, but this is a great start!
By heatherstigall on January 1, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Thanks for the inspiration Tara! I remember mishearing stylistic lyrics in songs too, and mispronounced, [“worsh” instead of wash clothes] starting to pretend open up and operate on my leg with my plastic tools after watching Six Million Dollar Man.
By Eric Herrington on January 1, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Thanks for the inspiration Tara! I remember mishearing stylistic lyrics in songs too, and mispronounced, [“worsh” instead of wash clothes] starting to pretend open up and operate on my leg with my plastic tools after watching Six Million Dollar Man.
By Eric Herrington on January 1, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Thanks!
By Patricia Danna on January 1, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Julia54@verizon.net
By julia542014 on January 1, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Happy New Year! Thanks for the fun start, Tara.
By carolynleillustrations on January 1, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Happy New Year! Thanks for the fun start, Tara.
By carolynleillustrations on January 1, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Happy New Year! Thanks for the fun start, Tara.
By carolynleillustrations on January 1, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Fantastic start!
By gattodesign on January 1, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Thanks for Storystorm 2026!
By Claire A. B. Freeland on January 1, 2026 at 6:10 pm
I’m on it!
By maramarakay on January 1, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Ah, yes, misunderstandings! I love Amelia Bedelia!
By Sallye O'Rourke on January 1, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Good Even ing!
This is the way I pronounced evening as a young reader. What was so good about evening something out, I wondered!
Your post inspires me to explore many similar memories from my days in the backward facing seat of our station wagon.
So happy to be storystorming again this year! Thanks, Tara.
By katecarroll11 on January 1, 2026 at 6:28 pm
What a fun prompt to kick off this month of inspiration!
Thank you, Tara.
By Lucretia Schafroth on January 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Thank you Tara. I already have a completed book dummy titled “BRING BACK MY BUNNY TO ME from my preschool music kids wondering why I lost my bunny. They hadn’t heard of a “bonnie” from the old Scottish folk song we sang on Valentine’s Day. Then there’s the alphabet letter called “ellemenoh”😉
By MDalphin Williams Creative.Com on January 1, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Great idea! I’ll have to think more about my own childhood, but I remember how my son, Levi, used to always mix up the words privacy with piracy, and when he went to the bathroom sometimes he would announce, “I need piracy everyone!!”
By Kristy Nuttall on January 1, 2026 at 6:39 pm
love this and great post to start of storystorm 2026!
By effiekoliopoulos on January 1, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Thanks for the post. It inspired a good idea.
By SydnieK on January 1, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Creative thinking inspired!! TU! A BONUS: I am writing in my brand NEW (not to be confused with a brand GNU), “handy dandy” STORYSTORM IDEA BOOK 2026. 🙂
By Alicia Shawn Gagnon on January 1, 2026 at 6:48 pm
And we are on our way to another adventure of ideas and topics and FUN !!!
By Stephen S. Martin on January 1, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Lol…I’m still mishearing, misreading, and misunderstanding A LOT of things as an adult…oh, well!
By Anita Guerra on January 1, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Thanks for sharing this! Reminded me of the time I brought my daughter to hear President Clinton speak in Chapel Hill, NC. She was so excited to see a real President. We all stood for the pledge and then the National Anthem. You know- “Oh sailer’s can see!”
By Shelley Nicely on January 1, 2026 at 7:17 pm
I don’t remember any specific mis-reading of a word or sign that happened in my childhood, but I certainly know that I misread words all the time now that my eyesight is getting much older. Same with road signs when I drive. Or even when I look out the window into my backyard. What is that shape I often ask myself. So I quite empathize with young children who misread or mis-interpret signs. Happens when we’re young and then when we’re old. Sigh….
By Marie Prins on January 1, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Happy morning, afternoon, evening and StoryStorm to you as well, Tara. Great kickoff to StoryStorm 2026!
By Karin Larson on January 1, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Well, I am impressed you remember those incidents so well, Tara!
By Colleen Owen Murphy on January 1, 2026 at 7:49 pm
Up until my mid-20s I thought the Arby’s logo was a fish standing on its tail and was so confused!
By wordnerd153 on January 1, 2026 at 8:02 pm
I grew up in NJ and now, I see the little girl in the Parkway sign!
I had trouble deciphering a sign when I was a kid. I thought the sign read, “Watch for Presbyterians” and wondered why people who followed one type of religion required special attention at crosswalks. Eventually, I read the sign correctly and realized there was no preferential treatment, unless…you were walking.
By Teresa Speranza Vargas on January 1, 2026 at 8:08 pm
ad: SHAMPOO (for oily hair)
Who wats oily hair
~Charles
By Charles Trevino on January 1, 2026 at 8:09 pm
So relatable. I dropped a bottle of soda and my mom said, “oh no, now it’s going to explode.” I ducked and covered under the kitchen table.
By Monica Acker on January 1, 2026 at 8:09 pm
I always question why NJ’s motto is “The Garden State” anyway….maybe “The Highway State?” :-p But misunderstanding is a great one for brainstorming!
Also my daughter and I are huge fans of FLAT CAT — it was a great read aloud for her class last year!
By squirrelreallya47d114454 on January 1, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Puns and misunderstandings make great humorous picture books.
Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on January 1, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Thanks for the kicking off the new year with some inspirational ideas.
By cathy on January 1, 2026 at 8:42 pm
I now have my first story idea of 2026! Thank you!
By lisakdaviswriting on January 1, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Love this first post to Storystorm! Of course I’ve gotten song lyrics all wrong. I have a story where one of the characters mistakes words like Amelia Bedelia. Now I’ll have to think up some more.
By horsewriterlady on January 1, 2026 at 8:54 pm
My favorite is our 3-y.o. granddaughter looked at our empty manger and wanted to know “Where’s the baby Cheezit?” We now put a small square orange cracker in our nativity scene each year.
By nancyakolb1 on January 1, 2026 at 8:55 pm
Hilarious! We have a Baby Jesus misunderstanding in my family too. My nephew AJ was born 12/21 and my youngest kept calling him baby Jesus. Apparently we spoke about too many babies that year.
By Adriana Gutierrez on January 2, 2026 at 4:51 pm
I don’t have to think back very far to find things I’ve misunderstood! 🤣 I do it on the daily! This is a great writing prompt, Tara! Looking forward to another year of Storystorm inspiration and ideas!
By Jessica Iwanski on January 1, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Daily? Me too. LOL! And I agree she gave us a great writing prompt. –Kim
By naturewalkwithgod on January 2, 2026 at 9:53 am
It will indeed be fun to try and remember things I misunderstood growing up. I have a very young niece and nephew and looking at the world through their eyes (and explanations of things) can be quite comedic to say the least : )
By jbbower on January 1, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Thanks f or the great start to Storystorm 2026!
Living in New Jersey, we usually say “we’re going down the shore” instead of to the beach! 🏖️
By seschipper on January 1, 2026 at 9:52 pm
Misunderstanding is so misunderstood
By topangamaria on January 1, 2026 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for the inspiration!
By Sylvia Mary Grech on January 1, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Right off the bat, I thought of something! Thank you so much.Sent from my iPad
By vijikc on January 1, 2026 at 10:20 pm
I’ve heard of digging for childhood memories gold, but I love the extra specificity you provide of focusing on our own childhood misunderstandings. Those are sure to help us create relatable, believable challenges for our MCs. Thank you, Tara — and thank you for continuing to host Storystorm!
By JF Hall Writes on January 1, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Teaching kindergarten, I run into these innocent misunderstandings every day. I really should start jotting them down. 🙂
By pdargatz on January 1, 2026 at 10:31 pm
I can’t remember back that far, lol. But when my neice was little and we were driving past a paint truck, she asked us what “Ben- Jammin” was. I t was a Benjamin More paint truck.
By Aileen Stewart on January 1, 2026 at 10:47 pm
Just a note of thanks for StoryStorm. It is such a fabulous way for me to start off my writing year.
By Susan Wroble on January 1, 2026 at 11:08 pm
Such a great theme for day one, Tara! So much to misunderstand when we’re children because the world is such a big and complicated place and we’re continually exploring and discovering new sights and sounds every day.
By Karen A Doll on January 1, 2026 at 11:09 pm
Such a great theme for day one, Tara! So much to misunderstand when we’re children because the world is such a big and complicated place and we’re continually exploring and discovering new sights and sounds every day.
By Karen A Doll on January 1, 2026 at 11:09 pm
Hurray for another January of inspiration!
By bgonsar on January 1, 2026 at 11:10 pm
fun post! Thanks!
By ashleydbankhead on January 1, 2026 at 11:22 pm
fun post! Thanks!
By ashleydbankhead on January 1, 2026 at 11:22 pm
Thanks for a great laugh, Tara. When I was in 2nd grade, our desks faced north. On a regular basis, we’d point in front of us and say ‘north’ then behind us and say ‘south’ and so on. Well, that didn’t make any sense!! What good was it if north was always in front and south always in back? North was always the way you faced. How did that help anyone? I was waaay too old when it finally clicked. Ahhh, the memories. Ha!
By lodobocreates on January 1, 2026 at 11:23 pm
Thanks for a great laugh, Tara. When I was in 2nd grade, our desks faced north. On a regular basis, we’d point in front of us and say ‘north’ then behind us and say ‘south’ and so on. Well, that didn’t make any sense!! What good was it if north was always in front and south always in back? North was always the way you faced. How did that help anyone? I was waaay too old when it finally clicked. Ahhh, the memories. Ha!
By lodobocreates on January 1, 2026 at 11:23 pm
I was raised catholic and we sang hymns in church. I always thought “Gloria” was an odd one … why were we seeing about egg shells at Christmas?
In excelsis Deo = in egg shells day-o!
😆
By Lauren Hidalgo on January 1, 2026 at 11:41 pm
Yep, lots to misinterpret in those hymns from church and choruses in Sunday School. 🙂
By naturewalkwithgod on January 2, 2026 at 9:55 am
When I was little, I didn’t understand hanging up the phone. I thought if you put it back in the receiver in one room, you could pick it up in another room and the person would still be on the line. Not sure how many people I hung up on before I realized!
By mmcnama0a95ab38a7 on January 2, 2026 at 12:09 am
This is a comment from Megan McNamara!
By Megan McNamara on January 31, 2026 at 10:00 pm
What a fantastic prompt. Thank you, Tara! As a kid, I initially thought “gravity” was “grab-ity.”
By Gabi Snyder on January 2, 2026 at 12:12 am
I enjoyed this post so much. I remember the girl across the street from me insisted that they weren’t soap operas but soap poppers.
By Hillary Homzie on January 2, 2026 at 12:32 am
Great ideas! Go Storystorm.
By staceygustafson on January 2, 2026 at 12:56 am
Funny!
By mommamoocow on January 2, 2026 at 1:11 am
Thanks for getting the creative year off to another great start, Tara. I look forward to Storystorm every year. And what a fun/funny thread this is. So. Many. Fun. Misunderstandings!!!
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 2, 2026 at 1:14 am
Thanks Tara! What a great idea to use our childhood misunderstandings for book ideas. Mine make me laugh and now my 6 year old daughter is experiencing her own, which make us laugh together!
By Angela Martinelli on January 2, 2026 at 1:16 am
Yeah Storystorm! So many wonderful misunderstandings! I love Amelia Bedelia and especially loved her “dressing” the turkey. It was a very dapper bird. I still can’t hear the Four Tops “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” without hearing “Sugar Pie, Honey Butt.” Thanks for a fun ramble down some memories.
By Maria Marshall on January 2, 2026 at 1:51 am
Sugar Pie, Honey Butt is hilarious!
By Laurel Santini on January 2, 2026 at 7:22 pm
I so enjoyed the motoring / morning confusion! Perception is so fascinating. These vignettes reminded me of the humorous and surprising conversations TV stars have had with children “on the air.” Our language evolves, often in such funny ways. What a terrific kick-off!
By gigimatlack on January 2, 2026 at 2:07 am
So fun- a great way to think like a kid! Thanks for the storm of inspiration to start the year!
By Lisa Billa on January 2, 2026 at 3:33 am
What a great idea. I’d only thought about this confusion with song lyrics, but your post opens up lots of other misunderstandings.
By Freda L. on January 2, 2026 at 4:48 am
What a great way to start the new year! Thanks Tara.
By eleanorannpeterson on January 2, 2026 at 4:59 am
What a fine trigger back to the good ole days!Brought back some numerous memories.
By krnchun on January 2, 2026 at 4:59 am
Happy New Year, Tara! I love Storystorm and appreciate you (and all of the other posters) for all of the work you put into this.
By myrnafoster on January 2, 2026 at 6:35 am
Happy New Year to all! I am filled with so much hope this year, despite the state of the world, and I believe it’s because of writing communities like this. Every year doing this activity in January inspires me and gets me kickstarted into creativity- what could be better! Thank you Tara! And my childhood misunderstanding had to do with the Sandman!
By Writer on the run on January 2, 2026 at 7:19 am
I thought my 4th grade teacher could sing so well because of her large wide mouth and big teeth. Mine is very small and narrow. 😝 I didn’t know it was a skill that formed from practice!
By sallymcclure on January 2, 2026 at 8:44 am
Happy 2026, Storystormers! Thank you for this great, funny, punny prompt to start us off, Tara. Great way to get those creative juices flowing.
By Judy Bryan on January 2, 2026 at 8:57 am
I’m trying to reach into my brain to remember some of mine. LOL. I’ll have to ask my mom as that’s a great idea for a story. Happy New Year everyone!
By nrompella on January 2, 2026 at 9:21 am
Very cool that you do this.
By cmochowski on January 2, 2026 at 9:47 am
Very cool that you do this.
By cmochowski on January 2, 2026 at 9:48 am
Thanks, Tara! With a big birthday coming this month, I’ve been thinking about my younger self frequently and this adds motivation and perspective. Cheers to another great STORYSTORM!
By writerdi2020 on January 2, 2026 at 10:09 am
what a fun idea! I can’t think of any of words I’ve misunderstood (outside of songs) but my own kids had a bunch, so I’ll have to take a trip down memory lane today!
By Jenn on January 2, 2026 at 10:43 am
Thanks, Tara! Great post and prompt! Happy to join in the fun this year 🙂
By Loni Edwards on January 2, 2026 at 10:58 am
Thanks for starting us off Tara – with a great reminder of a child’s perspective! I was so indignant about stuff I got wrong 😉
By Stephanie Alter Jones on January 2, 2026 at 11:42 am
A fun idea to mine. Thanks, Tara!
By Shirley fadden on January 2, 2026 at 11:44 am
Happy New Year. This is an excellent and amusing prompt to start us off!
By nsgarnett on January 2, 2026 at 11:53 am
I look forward to Storystorm every year. I can’t to get started. Love your suggestion, my child brain got a lot of things wrong also.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 2, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Thank you for all you do for the kidlit community and for getting us started this year!!
By marywarth on January 2, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Back to our youth ❤️
By kernskristen622 on January 2, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Back to our youth ❤️
By kernskristen622 on January 2, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Glad to be here, Tara. I appreciate you doing this every year. I know it take you away from your own writing.
By Kathy Doherty on January 2, 2026 at 3:33 pm
My daughter had a tape cassette (That’s a hint to how old we both are) of kids songs that included Take Me out to the Ballgame. After the line “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack” she didn’t hear ” I don’t care if I never get back ” but: ” I don’t care if I ever get fat.” Which made sense to me, after all those peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
By universallysecretlyb09ae3ff11 on January 2, 2026 at 3:43 pm
I often misunderstood song lyrics when I was a child, and even as an adult! Thanks for the inspiration Tara.
By Pat Brown Books on January 2, 2026 at 3:47 pm
This is why I love to listen to what kids have to say. I keep a little log of the best kidisms.
Thanks for this inspiring start to 2026, Tara.
By claireannette1 on January 2, 2026 at 4:06 pm
OMG, I love hearing about childhood misunderstandings!
By storyfairy on January 2, 2026 at 4:48 pm
I could not think of any, but after reading everyone’s comments I thought of a few from families and friends. My favorite is when my daughter called a barricade, a bear cave. It was the cutest. Thanks Tara.
By Adriana Gutierrez on January 2, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Whoa, when I read about a “Tara-in-the-back-seat-of-a-Pontiac misunderstanding” my mind went to a totally DIFFERENT kind of book. 😉
Thanks again for Storystorm, and best wishes for a great 2026!
By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 2, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Happy New Year, Tara! Thank you for another amazing year of Storystorm. The misunderstandings that I think of most are related to song lyrics. It took me until I was many decades old to realize that the song “Stairway to Heaven” was saying “it’s just a spring clean for the May queen.” My brain had always heard, “It’s just a sprinkly for the bake queen.” We hear what we want to hear. LOL.
By Lisa Riddiough on January 2, 2026 at 5:26 pm
I love these ideas about misunderstandings. When I was a kid I thought the sign, Don’t Be a Litter Bug!, meant that actual bugs would develop if you littered because there was a lot of pictures of bugs around the sign. I will run with this idea because it really might stop kids from littering like it did me:)
By girlscout72091 on January 2, 2026 at 6:32 pm
A number of years ago, we had a contractor renovating our kitchen. I had undertaken to paint the kitchen myself to save a little money. One day I texted the contractor to ask if I should sand the walls before painting. He replied, “No need to sand.” So, I went ahead and painted them a lovely shade of taupe. When the contractor arrived on site the next day, he said, “Why did you paint? We haven’t sanded yet.” He clearly should have used a comma and texted, “No, need to sand!”
By MLRobbie on January 2, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Oh my gosh! I was also a little person in New Jersey and I hated the Parkway signs. I thought New Jersey was a scary monster turned to the side with it’s mouth open!
By Apryl Lee on January 2, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Such a fun post, and the comments were hysterical to read. This certainly gives me food for thought. Thanks for a great start to Storystorm 2026!
By rosihollinbeck on January 2, 2026 at 7:07 pm
My eyes are not seeing the girl in the bonnet!! I’ll keep checking back to see if they do upon a random glance. I think a whole compilation of these misunderstanding with illos. would make a hilarious book!
Honestly, I never understood this word-idiot. I read the Wizard of Id comics -back in the day of thick Sunday papers–and wondered what that little king was saying: I diet. Why? How is dieting involved?
By Laurel Santini on January 2, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Fun idea! Hopefully I don’t misunderstand my childhood misunderstandings.
By cravevsworld on January 2, 2026 at 8:35 pm
I wish I could think of something that happened to me, but I don’t remember much about growing up. (It was 62 years ago.) But if I think hard enough, I’m sure I can come up with something.
By Sonja E McGiboney on January 2, 2026 at 9:34 pm
There’s so much you can do with a misunderstanding. Thanks for sharing this!
By Christine Letizia on January 2, 2026 at 9:49 pm
It’s very sweet to think of our own childhood innocence and misinterpretations. Thank you for reminding us to think back to words, moments, slogans, and symbols that were new to us.
By Annelouise Mahoney on January 2, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Thank you, Tara!
By Mary Ann Blair on January 2, 2026 at 11:43 pm
Haha, one time I misunderstood my mom and thought she had told me my cousins weren’t coming over anymore after I had been so excited to see them. I threw a temper tantrum and accidentally cracked a window…whoops. I was so embarrassed when my cousins arrived.
By Olivia Fisher on January 3, 2026 at 12:03 am
Some fun memories surfacing from my own misunderstandings as well as my siblings, cousins and now my students! What fun writing ideas!
By tonnyef on January 3, 2026 at 12:30 am
Oh, my family purposely sings alternative lyrics and looks for hidden messages in every sign, logo and conversation. It’s a sign of higher intelligence I am sure!
By chrisynthia on January 3, 2026 at 6:08 am
Oh this brings me back. There was a lot I misunderstood as a kid!
By christinashawnbooks on January 3, 2026 at 10:33 am
Oh this brings me back. There was a lot I misunderstood as a kid!
By christinashawnbooks on January 3, 2026 at 10:33 am
Oh this brings me back. There was a lot I misunderstood as a kid!
By christinashawnbooks on January 3, 2026 at 10:33 am
I never understood why we measured the outdoor temperature on the windshield! You know, the “windshield factor”! HNY!
By julie rowan zoch on January 3, 2026 at 10:42 am
I love the idea of looking back at things I mistook as a child. Thanks for the idea for Day #3.
By Courtney Johnson on January 3, 2026 at 11:08 am
When my sister started college, she went grocery shopping by herself for the first time, and couldn’t find what she was looking for. She went up to a clerk and asked “Excuse me, where can I find the ‘soap sausage’? The clerk was confused. It was a nickname my dad gave a certain brand of summer sausage that he thought tasted like soap, and so, my sister thought it was truly called ‘soap sausage’. I bet the clerk got a laugh out of that one!
By Tatum Evans on January 3, 2026 at 12:13 pm
misunderstandings is a big part of childhood and an area I haven’t tapped into yet. It’s time to head back down memory lane. Thank you for the reminder.
By Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer on January 3, 2026 at 12:43 pm
In elementary school we had three Michaels in our class, but I didn’t know that. I thought one kid was named Michaellopez. I thought it was odd that his name was so long.
By jindreame on January 3, 2026 at 2:25 pm
In elementary school we had three Michaels in our class, but I didn’t know that. I thought one kid was named Michaellopez. I thought it was odd that his name was so long.
By jindreame on January 3, 2026 at 2:25 pm
What fun, thanks! A great way to start the year.
By dgottier on January 3, 2026 at 4:40 pm
What a funny experience.
By Sherry Edgeberg on January 3, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Haaa! Tara! I love this post on misunderstandings! I had so many growing up. Some dealt with song lyrics. When listening to the song “Lucille,” I thought Kenny Rogers sang about her leaving him with “four hungry children,” I thought he sang “400 children.” I wasn’t surprised she left!
By tsshaskan on January 3, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Especially love homophone misunderstanding/ word play
By Artelle Lenthall on January 3, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Star Spangled Banner: “Oh say can you see by the dawnserly light…” What the heck was a “dawnserly” light??
By 8catpaws on January 4, 2026 at 3:02 am
count me in.
Linda Hofke
By L. Hofke on January 4, 2026 at 7:43 am
Misunderstandings are a hoot!
By kimpfenn on January 4, 2026 at 9:02 am
I look forward to Storystorm each January and this was a wonderful way to begin the month. Thank you!
By lisamgriffinart on January 4, 2026 at 10:17 am
What a clever way to enter our child brain! I was always confused by the LORD’s prayer: “Our Father, who aren’t in Heaven.” Where is he?!
By Laurie Seaford on January 4, 2026 at 12:04 pm
I always loved the misinterpretations of childhood and children. They were always sweet and usually very funny. Thank you for this reminder, Tara! Now to start off 2926 with my first list!
By sforton55 on January 4, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Thank you, this reminded me of things I pondered as a child on signs and bridges, things I misunderstood and it generated several good ideas!
By brisklyd47fd463d1 on January 4, 2026 at 1:44 pm
Love this. I’m already laughing, thank you!
By marcihersel on January 4, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Great start to StoryStorm!
By elizabethwilcoxsaba on January 4, 2026 at 4:15 pm
As a young child, I went to a children’s class at church. It was kind of noisy as they were teaching. I went home and Mommy asked me what I add learned. I replied, “God loves a chicken gizzard.” They had been trying to teach us “God loves a cheerful giver.”
By Ellie Langford on January 4, 2026 at 4:57 pm
I can certainly relate to misreading the sign, “Happy Motoring”. I still do it as an adult.
Interesting reflection. Something to think about.
By bookfish1 on January 4, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Until this Storystorm, I thought “PiBoIdMo” was pronounced “pie-bold-mo.” I read the capital “l” as the letter “L.” This is either another argument for our federal government to stick to Times Roman or for yours truly to get more sleep.
By billcurtisd1acc48aad on January 4, 2026 at 8:55 pm
This reminds me of a day in a first grade class when a young student took my directions literally…”find the number 13.” The student’s response reminds me of a never written picture book idea. Story idea #1.
By stmercer on January 5, 2026 at 12:31 am
You made me think … What sayings are misunderstood by children? What did I misunderstand as a child?
By Ellie Langford on January 5, 2026 at 12:52 am
omigosh, this is a great idea to mine…Lots of silly stuff to remember…
By mary helen berg on January 5, 2026 at 1:16 am
reminiscing is always a great way to come up with ideas for stories and illustrations
By Brandon Rodriguez on January 5, 2026 at 4:14 am
Thanks, Tara! A friend was talking about misunderstood song lyrics. I think it’s natural to make them up as we go along, lol, if we can’t understand them. There must be at least one idea in lyrics I’ve misunderstood.
By Lisa M. Horn on January 5, 2026 at 12:47 pm
What a fun prompt – to travel back to my childhood! So excited to be back in Storystorm. I couldn’t participate last year, and it’s my favorite way to kick off a creative year. Thank you!
By Kari Lavelle on January 5, 2026 at 2:02 pm
I had a similar sign misreading experience with sign as I was learning to spell. My mother pumped gas, while my aunt waited with me in the car. I tried reading as many letters as I could, but a horizontal piece of the letter e on the station sign had burned out. I asked my aunt, “What word has 4 letters… F-U- C? Not sure if it’s a c…” I was interrupted by my aunt informing that was a very bad word! I pointed above the car and asked, “Then why is it on the gas station sign in big orange letters?” It said FUEL!
By Sherry Dubis on January 5, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Your examples were really funny. A beloved younger cousin used to sing,”To see your daughter wet” instead of “To see your daughter wed.” I still picture a girl in a party dress dripping with water…
By ellenbari on January 5, 2026 at 3:27 pm
I love your book 7 ate 9! Thanks for the idea 🙂
By joanswanson58 on January 5, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Thanks for a great first post, Tara. I am thinking about childhood events and misunderstandings for sure! So excited for StoryStorm 2026!
By Melissa Stoller on January 5, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Thank you Tara! I can relate to the misunderstandings of childhood. Your post is terrific as always and I’m glad to be joining in.
By Kaye Baillie on January 5, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Day 1 off to a good start!
What about silent letters or words that are spelled the same but sound different! Great brainstorm starter for today.
By Patricia Tiffany Morris on January 5, 2026 at 10:45 pm
I love this idea! So often I see signs and hear notices posted/broadcast that can be (wonderfully) easily interpreted to mean something other than what was intended. This will be FUN!!!
By writeremmcbride on January 6, 2026 at 12:03 am
Misunderstandings was my middle name as a child. LOL
Great idea to use this as a seed to grow a story.
By slcoffey33 on January 6, 2026 at 1:37 am
This made me laugh – and think!
Happy New Year Tara 🙂
By Catherine on January 6, 2026 at 9:28 am
Love Day 1, Tara! Thanks for the reminders!
By Janice Woods on January 6, 2026 at 10:52 am
This was really adorable and made me think back to all kinds of childhood misunderstandings. Thank you for reminding me. I’m going to jot some down.
By blanchebaxter on January 6, 2026 at 6:34 pm
You jump started this gal’s writing motor. Thanks for the smiles and getting me on a fun road!
By lwbendor on January 7, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Great first day post. Thanks! – anaarchistories
By anaarchistories on January 7, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Vivian Kirkfield is in!
This is what you call getting in under the wire…thank you to Tina Cho who mentioned she was participating in Storystorm…and of course, thank you to you, dear Tara, for hosting this incredible challenge. This was the first challenge I encountered when I jumped into the kid lit world in 2011.
By viviankirkfield on January 7, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for starting off the inspiration!!
By Buffy Silverman on January 7, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Excited for another year of Storystorm! Your post made me think of getting lyrics wrong to songs and singing them out loud for years before someone corrects you! LOL!
By smfossett on January 7, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Thanks for starting with such a fun post, Tara! I so relate to your childhood misunderstandings.
By Donna Cangelosi on January 8, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Boy, do I relate to childhood misunderstandings. Thanks Tara for starting the year with this very relatable topic. Also, I also love the idea of grand prizes at the end of Storystorm. It’s wonderful to conclude something with a big BANG!
By carmen2750 on January 9, 2026 at 12:43 pm
What a relatable recollection, Tara! I too saw profiles in Parkway maps but usually of presidents from coins! So true that lots of things go right over a child’s head and a great story prompt.
By Goodreadswithronna.com on January 9, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Tara! I am so glad you continued with #Storystorm this year. I know it is a LOT of work! We appreciate your hard work and we appreciate YOU!!
There were a lot of words I was confused about as a child because I learned to read before I went to school and learned about phonics. Maybe there is a book in that …
By Anne LeBlanc on January 9, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Delightful concept to consider. Misunderstandings.
By dlapmandi on January 10, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Thanks Tara! This is a great post to kick start StoryStorm! I love the idea of remembering my misunderstandings as a kid and seeing what stories I can generate from them.
By tdkgrant on January 12, 2026 at 9:09 pm
What a great idea! I taught ESL students. They had a lot of trouble with our English idioms. And I’m not pulling your leg!
By Debbie Moeller on January 14, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Thank you for making all these interesting authors and illustrators available to us. I get so inspired and it makes writing the rest of the year easier when I check my list of ideas and different ways to approach story making.
By bentleycc650 on January 14, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Good day Tara. I have really think about what I misunderstood. I know certain music lyrics meant different things. I think when you read on a computer than blink and read again. thugs look differently. Could be an idea there somewhere. I will have to ruminate on this. I am just catching up on thiexksdtcrwobwerjs. Enjoyed all the special hosts and their tips. Thank you. Have a gray day, too.
By amybeth349 on January 14, 2026 at 3:54 pm
I asked my mom what an amungle berry was from the song lyrics “if you are amungle berry (among the very) young at heart.” Maybe there’s a story about an amungle berry just waiting. Thank you for all you do!!!
By brintonculp on January 14, 2026 at 8:33 pm
LOL, thank you for sharing Tara! When I was young I wondered why all of the Mass Turnpike signs had leprechaun hats on them, until they replaced the all green and white signs with signs that also included black, and I realized that the Mass Pike’s symbol was actually an appropriate black pilgrim’s hat.
So much misunderstood sign story potential!! Thanks
By tinefg on January 15, 2026 at 2:10 pm
LOL, I also misread so many things as a child! I love this train of thought for ideas! Thanks Tara
By Laura Wippell on January 18, 2026 at 10:30 am
I remember as a child that my relatives would make fun of my uncle by calling him Tony Chestnut. I thought that was so rude and I felt so embarrassed for him.
LOL. They were just reciting the exercise – Toe – Knee – Chest – Nut where you touch you toes and knees and chest and then the top of your head. I was so relieved when I learned this.
By jantsuhr on January 21, 2026 at 2:15 am
These misunderstandings abound in my memory and again in my grandkids! Thanks for the inspiration, Tara!
By Jane Heitman Healy on January 22, 2026 at 4:06 pm
LOL, great post. I still do stuff like that. Just this morning I saw a bumper sticker for Bainbridge Island Lacrosse and once again, because it will always happen, I laughed at the Witch riding a broom sticker. I adore the way our brains mix things up. Thanks for this one.
By brigitus6620 on January 28, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Glad to be back for another year!
By daydreambelievin on January 31, 2026 at 9:56 pm
Glad to be back for another year!
By daydreambelievin on January 31, 2026 at 9:57 pm
that’s me and song lyrics! I’m constantly singing the wrong words unknowingly until my family hears me and gives me the “seriously mom?” look. It has definitely given us all a laugh sometimes!
By Keeping the Me in Mommy on February 1, 2026 at 12:48 am
that’s me and song lyrics! I’m constantly singing the wrong words unknowingly until my family hears me and gives me the “seriously mom?” look. It has definitely given us all a laugh sometimes!
By Keeping the Me in Mommy on February 1, 2026 at 12:48 am