Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)

Storystorm 2026 Day 5: Heidi E. Y. Stemple Knows Some Ideas Need to Marinate

January 5, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026 | Tags: Heidi E. Y. Stemple | 186 comments

by Heidi E. Y. Stemple

I’m a big fan of flavor. Besides writing, I love cooking. And eating. I know that some dishes are best served right out of the oven and some should rest. Some, like soups and stews, bolognese, and even the cranberry sauce I make at thanksgiving—those dishes need to sit. The flavors become deeper, richer, more complex. The waiting gives it time to build layers.

Oh, I also love a good metaphor.

Like the flavors of food, some ideas need time to sit. Though writing can be immediate gratification, usually it takes time and fresh eyes to really get the best out of a story. I collect ideas. Tons of ideas. Often I have many of them in notebooks, post-it notes, and in a file aptly named “ideas” on my computer. Sometimes one pops like a starting pistol and I am off at a run—trying to follow that first blush of infatuation about a character or situation. But, usually that is a sprint with no destination. (More metaphor!) Lucky, my many years of experience has mellowed me. If I cannot find the story or plot, I don’t worry. Time to let that idea marinate. Sometimes all it takes is a hot shower, a walk in the woods, a car ride… and the story untangles, a plot reveals itself, or my brain starts following paths until my fingers on the keyboard find the right one. But, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, like that metaphorical casserole, you need to cover that idea with a tight lid, put it in the back of the fridge, and let it marinate on its own. Sometimes for a long long long time.

OK, that’s not a perfect metaphor. Maybe it’s tin foil? Maybe it’s the freezer? But, you see what I’m getting at…

I live on a farm so there is always something interesting out there—a predator alarming the crows and blue jays (they made it into my verse novel THE POETRY OF CAR MECHANICS), a nest with baby birds squawking and parents flitting in and out (WREN’S NEST), a friend’s backhoe digging up the farmland for a new crop (Book #2 of The AVIAN ADVENTURERS)… but sometimes, even though the idea is obvious, the story doesn’t preset itself right away. One day, around 2014, I looked out my window, across the expanse of the back acres of our farm. There are always deer back there and a regular bobcat. I also have fox and coyote and some really fat groundhogs. But, on that day I saw something completely different. Bigger. MUCH bigger. A young moose! I had never seen a moose in the wild before—let alone in my own backyard. I grabbed my binoculars and raised them to my eyes yelling what everyone yells when they see a moose, “that thing is ENORMOUS!” My writer brain, though, was not satisfied with that. It started playing around with the word.

Enormous…
Enorm-Moose…
E-Norm-Moose…
E. Norm Moose…

Now THAT sounded like a title!

But a title is not enough.

Who is E. Norm Moose?

Hmmmm… her full name is… let me think.

Ernestine Norman Moose. Her family didn’t intend to name her after her uncle Norman, but when she was born, she just looked so much like him—all knees and knuckles.

I’m finding my character.

Just like Uncle Norm, she is a klutz.

So, what is true about moose? After a year or two, they leave their mother and start a more solitary life. My daughter had just left for college and I worried about her out on her own. And I missed her so much. But, this isn’t Norm’s mother’s story… maybe I’m too close to that emotionally right now. Oh, and I’ve always read stories in the local newspapers about young moose showing up in cow pastures trying to make friends with the cows. How do the cows feel about this?

I’ve got some fun ideas here… but no real story. Is the story Norm? Is it about a cow? Is it about growing or loneliness? I didn’t know. I set it aside.

That’s fine. I wasn’t ready for it. Norm would have to wait until I was ready.

I checked back in on Norm every once in a while over the next bunch of years. Nothing sparked. I’d tweak the beginning and rewrite a bit. Then set her aside promising to come back soon. I felt a bit bad that I didn’t know what Norm wanted to do yet. But, she was patient. I was patient.

Then one day, I opened E.NormMoose.doc on my computer and I read the beginning. This time, Norm became quite clear. She took her first steps out into the world with me leading and following her. We fell into a mud puddle and off a boat. We found our way into a pasture… I won’t tell you more because E. Norm Moose comes out in fall 2026 with art by Annie Gregoire—her first book! I’m so excited to be part of her illustration journey! It took the right editor to love the story and then bring Annie on board. If I had just written Norm’s story that very first day, none of this would have happened. I am glad that I am patient with myself and my stories. Beautiful things happen when you wait and bring new eyes, a fresh take, and, because time away means you have grown as a writer—become more seasoned, if you will—better writing skills to a story. Don’t be afraid to step away. You may be surprised what flavors and layers you can bring out of your own writing if you are just willing and patient enough to let them marinate.

OK—all this talk of marinating is making me hungry. You go write and I’m going to make some pasta!

Heidi E. Y. Stemple didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called FAMOUS WRITERS AND THEIR KIDS WRITE SPOOKY STORIES. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than 50 books (a few of which are still in the pipeline) and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.

Heidi lives and writes on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with a dozen deer, a family of bears, three coyotes, two bobcats, a gray fox, a red fox, tons of birds, and some very fat groundhogs. Once a year she calls and counts owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Storystorm 2026 Day 4: Brian Gonsar Revises from Rejection

January 4, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026, STORYSTORM Success Story | Tags: Brian Gonsar | 228 comments

by Brian Gonsar

Good morning Storystormers! Today, let’s talk about the most creatively stimulating thing there is: rejection.

I know, I know, no one likes rejection. Not in love. Not with work. And certainly not with the book you’ve been pouring your heart and soul into. But what if I told you rejection was the best thing to happen to me?

In 2015, I participated in Storystorm (well, PiBoIdMo) for the first time. Within my 30 ideas was the concept––how did the Headless Horseman choose a pumpkin for a head? A little odd? Perhaps.

But with the help of my critique group, I spent the next year writing and revising this origin story, which helped me land my agent, the wonderful Stacey Graham of 3 Seas Literary. We sent the picture book out on submission, but got a series of similar rejections:

Really funny, but the topic seems too old for a PB audience.
Have you thought about making this more of a chapter book?

Now, I’m not one to be turned off from rejection, just ask my wife, who once tried to set me up with a friend before eventually agreeing to give me a shot. So I channeled that resilience, switched genres, and crafted the Horseman idea into one of many short stories that twisted the tales of spooky characters like vampires, werewolves, and bigfoot. I thought it was genius and just what editors would be looking for.

We went back on submission in 2019 and received a ton of positive responses for these creepy, yet funny stories. But each positive response was followed by more rejection. And once again, the most common feedback was questioning if this was the right genre for these stories.

“I liked the concept of a compilation of not-so-scary stories, but I ultimately wanted the stories themselves to do a little more work to make a more satisfying re-telling.”
“I love the idea of hilarious twists on traditionally scary stories, and Brian’s interpretations were freshly imagined. However, I’m not convinced that a short story collection is the right format for this project.”
“I found that the expository approach wasn’t quite working for me—I wanted more characterization, more nuance! I almost thought some of these could lend themselves to an entire novel.”

After seeing this common feedback, I said to my agent:

Me: What about a chapter book?
Stacey: Have you ever thought about graphic novels?
Me: I don’t read comics.
Stacey: Graphic novels are a little different than comics.
Me: I don’t know—it seems foreign to me.
Stacey: They’re written like screenplays. Don’t you read scripts all the time as a producer?
Me: Well, yeah, but…

Then she gave me a book called CAMP MIDNIGHT by Steven T. Seagle.

I read it, loved it, and decided to go for it. I planned on expanding one of my short stories as a graphic novel, but which one? A couple editors called out one or two specifically, but it was Samantha Gentry’s comment that locked it in for me: “This is a really intriguing idea and I love the voice. I particularly liked the story about Dracula and the donut, as I know Brian is a donut aficionado.”

So I decided to write about what I loved: donuts.

Small problem, I had never written a graphic novel before. So, I took a nose-dive into researching this genre by reading tons of middle grade graphic novels. Learning this new format really energized me. It inspired me to think differently. After two rounds of rejections and years of writing, I felt I was finally hitting my stride.

The dialogue-driven format of a graphic novel came easier to me than writing for younger audiences. The visual aspect of the book was something I could easily envision and explain. And the humor I could inject into a middle grade book was exactly my vibe (#dadjokes). But I wouldn’t have gotten here had I given up after receiving rejections. I wouldn’t have taken a chance at another genre if I didn’t listen to the feedback and respond to it.

After a full year of writing, I finished the graphic novel in 2021. My illustrator, Keenan Gaybba, and I signed the contract with Oni Press in 2022. And in August of 2025, Dracula’s Brunch Club finally came out after years of living (or unliving) in various formats.

And it has been doing pretty well! Scholastic picked it up for their book fairs, it made Comics Beat’s Best of the Year list, and I’ll have more exciting news to announce later this month with it. All of this came from a seed of a Storystorm idea that wouldn’t give up, despite rejection.

I hope this can be your encouragement—when rejection comes, don’t stop. Adapt. Shift perspective. Rethink your story or reshape the format. It may be writing in third person instead of first. It may be changing your setting or characters. Or it may be turning your picture book into a completely different format…twice.

Today, take a look at your past rejections and jot down ways it can take on a new life. It may inspire something even better! Because rejection isn’t failure, it’s fuel for stronger work. It’s an invitation to think differently and learn something new. Use it to your advantage.

Thank you, Tara, for hosting this for so many years and providing a place for ideas to be created.

Brian Gonsar is an award-winning producer with a resume of feature films, music videos, art installations, and even a Super Bowl commercial. He is also a self-proclaimed donut aficionado, who has traveled the world to find the best donut. DRACULA’S BRUNCH CLUB (Oni Press, 2025) is Brian’s debut graphic novel. When he’s not writing and creating, Brian’s most likely reliving his glory days on the soccer field. He is a proud #girldad and lives with his wife and daughter in New Jersey. You can find more about him at bgonsarbooks.com, on Instagram at @bgonsar, BlueSky at bgonsar.bsky.social, or writing about donuts at thedonuthunter.com.

Storystorm 2026 Day 3: Nina Victor Crittenden Goes Back to the Drawing Board

January 3, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026 | Tags: Nina Victor Crittenden | 213 comments

by Nina Victor Crittenden

Thank you, Tara, for starting Storystorm all the way back in 2009 when it was PiBoIdMo. Just think of all the wonderful ideas that have been generated in this community since then! I am excited to start off the New Year with a bunch of new ideas!

I’m the illustrator of two picture books and the author/illustrator of THE THREE LITTLE PUGS, a picture book that was published in 2018. A couple years later, during the pandemic, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and my creativity completely shut down. I turned to knitting, which became my primary creative outlet. I leveled-up my skills and learned how to make cowls and do colorwork and knit adorable tiny things like mermaids, chickens, and turtles.

Knitting has truly been a lifeline for me. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all my knitting friends, with an extra special thank you to Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochiland for all her amazingly clever patterns (she makes awesome picture books, too!).

In the winter of 2023, I decided to knit a tiny little scarf with some leftover yarn from a project and then needed someone to wear it, so I made this illustration of a bunny in the snow. I was making art again (and now I’m working on a story idea about this bunny)!

In November of 2024, I retreated with friends and finally learned how to play and have fun in a sketchbook (thanks to Courtney Pippin-Mathur and her great big bag of Posca pens). My sketchbook practice is now almost daily and involves putting a sticker here and a postage stamp there and letting myself draw, hand-letter, paint, and collage as much or as little as I want to that day. If I don’t like something, I paint or glue something else over it. I can plant little thoughts and watch them grow and dink around with story and characters in a low-stakes setting that is just for me.

I’m the best version of myself when I’m making things, no matter what I’m making. Making things just makes me happy. And I’m happy to be here with all of you, making stories.

What other creative outlets feed your writing and/or illustration practice?

What makes you happy? What fills up your cup?

Is Dr. Pepper the best pop in the world?

a. Yes
b. Absolutely
c. All of the above

To all of you who have read this: Thank you! Don’t forget to make time to do the things that make you happy, it is a nice way to pass the pre- and post-publication times (however short or long they may be).

Wishing you every happiness in the New Year! xoxo

Nina Victor Crittenden is an illustrator/author, certified veterinary technician, and knitter. She works traditionally with ink and watercolor. Nina is the illustrator of CEDRIC AND THE DRAGON and CHICKEN LILY, and the author/illustrator of THE THREE LITTLE PUGS. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, kids, four cats, and one really old dog.

Visit her at ninacrittenden.com or follow her on Bluesky @ninacrittenden.bsky.social and Instagram @nvcrittenden.

Storystorm 2026 Day 2: Kari Ann Gonzalez and Stephanie Wildman Write Like Kids

January 2, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026 | Tags: Kari Ann Gonzalez, Stephanie Wildman | 220 comments

by Kari Ann Gonzalez and Stephanie Wildman

We are so honored to kick-off the guest blogger portion of Storystorm 2026! We (Stephanie & Kari) have bonded over our passion for getting kids excited to develop their writing skills. That excitement all starts with an idea. But as you all know, coming up with an idea can be easier said than done. Wouldn’t it be too easy if we could just say, “Okay, brain, come up with a New York Times bestselling idea…and GO!” So, here are some fun writing prompts we use with kids that we think you’ll love too.

Kari: Sometimes stories arrive as a drizzle. Sometimes a downpour. Keep writing them down. You never know what ideas will set sail. In fact, a Storystorm idea in 2020 landed me a picture book series!

In my latest book, HOW TO HATCH A WRITER (illustrated by Rachel Suzanne), I focus on building blocks for sentences…with a cast of plucky chickens! Every sentence tells a little story, but how do you come up with those stories? A technique I use with kids to build writing muscle is practicing sentence elaboration. I use this same technique when generating story ideas. Pick a favorite word and build a story around it. How do you pick a word? What’s the right word to start with you might ask? Anything goes! Pick a word from your new favorite picture book, the news, a word you heard taking your kids to the playground, a grocery list, or snag a word AND enrich your vocabulary with ABSURD WORDS by Storystorm creator Tara Lazar!

Then the fun really starts. Build a story around that word with these key questions: Who?, What?, When?, Where?, and Why?. Then add the juicy conflict. Stretch those writing muscles: the more you write, the more creativity follows, and you never know what story could develop.

Bonus tip: This exercise has all the building blocks for you to develop a story…but also a pitch for said story!

Extra credit: What would your character do next? BAM! Sequel idea.

Stephanie: My co-author for my latest picture book STORY POWER! (illustrated by Estefania Razo) is my grandson Simon Wildman Chung, age nine.

Simon is my co-author because when he was seven, he suggested the story idea to me, based on the characters—twins Flor & Roberto and their big brother Luis, who appeared in my earlier books, TREASURE HUNT, BREATH BY BREATH, and GHOST WRITER.

I was talking to Simon about another book I was working on when he offered his idea—that the twins are bored and want to look at screens, but, with their big brother Luis’s help, they write a story for their abuelito. (Reminder to us all—children often have the best ideas for stories! Ask them! And listen to their questions—my other books come from questions grandkids asked.)

Here are some ideas for writing prompts that kids love, and I think you will, too:

Write about a family event.
Maybe you all had a Father’s Day dinner together—write about what happened—compare—did people see the same things at the dinner or remember them differently? Did anything funny happen? In addition to practicing writing, it’s fun to share family memories. If you don’t have a handy child available to write with, imagine yourself as that child, writing with your adult self.
Write about what you see out the window.
Might the tree be talking to an animal or flower? What would they say? Are people going by? What is happening in their lives?
Write about “What if?”
Picture a scene or an event. As Kari suggests above, write the Who?, What?, When?, Where? Why? What if something about the scenario were different with a surprising or funny twist? Junior-Writers.com offered this kind of prompt for their summer writing contest, urging writers to picture their last day of school with a twist that might lead to a fantasy story, science fiction, or a mystery. What event or scene happened to you lately? What can you imagine would be a surprising or funny twist?

Educator Dr. Shawna Della Cerra developed a resource list for parents and educators to use in conjunction with books like Story Power! and How to Hatch a Writer. Some of her ideas for kids, but that work for adults, include a Character Café and a Plot Twist Spinner:

Character Café
Children (or you!) “meet” the story character for a pretend snack and ask them questions —what would they order? What are they afraid of? What do they dream about? A perfect way to deepen character development through imagination and empathy.

Plot Twister Spinner
What it is:
A creative tool that helps children (or you!) introduce surprise elements into stories to enhance narrative flow and spark imagination. Use a physical spinner, a digital wheel, or simple prompt cards. A well-balanced spinner might include categories such as:

- Nouns (e.g., dragon, backpack, puddle)
- Verbs (e.g., disappears, transforms, collides)
- Events (e.g., a storm hits, someone tells a lie, a secret is revealed)

Why it works:
By combining random prompts from each category, students (and you!) generate fresh, unexpected plot turns.

We hope some of these ideas have you eager to pick up your pen, pencil, or crayon, engage your voice-to-text app, or turn to your computer keyboard. Just get your new ideas recorded! Remember, you don’t have to write the whole story today—just a few words about the idea that you are hatching. And, since we are writing like kids, don’t forget to reward your hard-earned ideas with a marathon of snacks!

Kari Ann Gonzalez is a children’s writer who loves tending to her tiny hobby farm and stuffing her little free library full of books. Her debut picture book HOW TO HATCH A READER won the Northern Lights Picture Book award for humor, while HOW TO HATCH A WRITER has been named Hot Off The Press by CBC, and Reviewer’s Choice on Midwest Book Review’s Children’s Bookwatch. She is excited to share her newest titles, IF YOU LIVE ON A FARM, GOAT MAA-TH in 2026, and more titles to be announced soon! A flock of plucky chickens are kind enough to share their home with Kari, her husband, and their two little girls. For more information, please visit Kari’s website at karianngonzalez.com⁠ or follow her on Instagram at Kari_Gonzalez_Writes.⁠

Stephanie Wildman, author of six children’s books, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, who can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice.

Her latest book is STORY POWER! (co-authored with Simon Wildman Chung, illustrated by Estefanía Razo from Lawley Publishing). Learn more at stephaniewildman.com or follow her on Bluesky at swildmansf.bsky.social.

Storystorm 2026 Day 1: Tara Lazar Recalls Childhood Misunderstandings

January 1, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026 | 352 comments

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!

Storystorm 2026 Registration is Open!

December 26, 2025 in STORYSTORM 2026 | 1,281 comments

It’s that time of the year again!

Welcome to STORYSTORM 2026 Registration!

Nine years ago I changed the name and month of my annual writing challenge, from Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) to STORYSTORM. Why? Answer’s here.

Although this challenge began as a picture book writer’s event, any writer interested in brainstorming new story ideas in January is invited to join the STORYSTORM challenge of 30 (or 31 or more) ideas in 31 days. Any genre, any style; student, amateur, hobbyist, aspiring author or seasoned professional.

How does STORYSTORM work? It’s simple…

Register (instructions below).
Read the daily posts right here on this blog, beginning January 1st.
Write down one (or more) story idea daily. (Do not share your ideas with anyone.)
At the end of January if you have at least 30 new ideas, you can sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE and be eligible for PRIZES.

So are you ready?

To register, follow these steps:

Register ON THIS BLOG POST by signing your name ONCE in the comments below (you must scroll all the way down, past previous comments for the comment box). Full name or nickname—whatever name you’ll use for the entire event. Please leave ONE comment ONLY. Do not reply to say “hi” to a friend. Do not comment to fix a mistake. ONE COMMENT. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. Registering makes you eligible for prizes. Teachers participating with a class can register under the teacher’s name.
Visit this blog daily (taralazar.com, you’re already here) in January for inspirational essays by guest bloggers—authors, illustrators and publishing industry professionals.
Instead of visiting the blog directly, you can receive the daily posts via email by entering your address and clicking the “Follow Tara’s Blog” button in the left column—look under my photo for it. (You must do this if you want to receive emails. Emails DO NOT come automatically by signing your name in the comments.)

At the end of January, if you have at least 30 ideas, sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE (to be posted on January 31) and qualify for prizes. Prizes include agent feedback, signed books, original art, writerly gadgets and gizmos.

Remember, do not share your ideas publicly in January. They are YOURS. No need to prove that you have them at the end of the month. The pledge you will sign is on the honor system.

Are you in? Awesome!

Other OPTIONAL activities:

You can pick up the “Official Participant” badge (with art by Courtney Pippin-Mathur) below and affix it to any social media account or personal website you wish. (Right click to save to your computer, then upload it anywhere.)

You can also opt to join the STORYSTORM discussion group, this year on Discord. (Which I am still figuring out, so join and please be patient and kind!) Everyone needs writing friends!

STORYSTORM registration will remain open through JANUARY 7th.

In the meantime, head over to the STORYSTORM ZAZZLE SHOP to pick up your official journal. All proceeds from sales will be donated to Highlights Foundation. I’ll be adding more items, like mugs and t-shirts, throughout the month.

Thank you for joining!

I wish you a creative and prolific month ahead!

Yes, Storystorm 2026 is coming!

December 22, 2025 in STORYSTORM 2026 | 45 comments

Storystorm registration will begin on this blog December 26th.

Never heard of Storystorm? Learn about it here.

But I know there’s something you need before it all begins…

…an Official Journal! It’s available for purchase via Zazzle, with proceeds to be donated. (If I ever get paid. Long story.)

Thanks to the talented Courtney Pippin-Mathur for the Storystorm design with an adorable elf!

More to come soon! A lot is going on behind the scenes!

A Christmas Story: The Perfect Tree

December 9, 2025 in Uncategorized | Tags: Christmas, gifts for writers | 33 comments

Many of you know I am Jewish, but I wasn’t raised in the faith. My parents were actually lapsed Catholics. We never went to church and we celebrated Christmas and Easter in a secular fashion.

After my parents divorced, I suppose my mother was intent on making us appear whole. So when our local newspaper published an article about the family-friendly activity of cutting your own Christmas tree, my mother decided that the three of us (plus her boyfriend) had to bond over this new-to-us holiday tradition.

Sounds homey, right? Well, it was a comedy of errors!

She therefore took pen to paper and wrote a letter to the editor detailing our misfortunes. The paper loved it so much, they splashed it out on the front page with a byline!

Many thanks to Raji at the West Orange Public Library reference desk, who assumed I had suffered from a false memory of publishing glory, and kept flipping until she found the December 13, 1984 article on the fifth page. It is enclosed for your enjoyment. Click to enlarge it.

I apologize for the lack of my usual Gifts for Writers post (but you can read the past posts). Please remember that my books make excellent holiday gifts! (Wink, wink.)

Books Are All Fun and Games for Sheri Dillard and TIC-TAC-TOE

October 30, 2025 in Picture Books | Tags: Sheri Dillard, TIC TAC TOE | 65 comments

by Sheri Dillard

At the beginning of every year, my agents, Liza and Ginger, schedule a phone call with all their clients. They call it the State of the Union, and it’s a “check-in,” of sorts. We talk about manuscripts on submission, reactions to any responses so far, and thoughts on current projects.

On one of those calls, we brainstormed story ideas. My debut picture book COWHIDE-AND-SEEK had just come out, so most of our ideas were game-inspired. The conversation was fun and lively, and I took lots of notes. But it wasn’t until Liza said, “How about tic, tac, toe?” that something clicked for me.

A story about three friends popped into my head. Three BEST friends who were always together—three in a row! But what would happen if one of those friends got left out in some way?

As a preschool teacher, I love watching young children make new friends. The kids tend to bond quickly as they explore the classroom and playground. For many, school is the first time they are around other children without their parents nearby. And sometimes, whether it’s a group of peers or a one-on-one friendship, managing new social situations can be tricky.

In my new picture book TIC, TAC, AND TOE, we see three friends having fun together. But when they find a tandem bike and it becomes clear that it won’t work with three, Tic and Tac leave Toe behind. They don’t even realize that Toe feels hurt and left out. They ride around, have fun, and sort of forget about their friend Toe. It’s only when they see something they think Toe will love that they remember him. When they find him sad and alone, they realize what they’ve done.

While reading this story, the reader might stop and say, “Oh, look at Toe. How do you think he’s feeling? Why do you think he’s feeling that way?” Asking questions while reading books can be like “practice” to help children learn how to recognize others’ feelings in real life, too. Stories about friendship, empathy, and kindness can guide kids on what it means to be a good friend.

I love how my books, so far, are connected to some of my favorite childhood games. (And I’ve got more game-inspired stories that I hope to publish someday! Maybe I’ll have my own three-in-a-row? Fingers crossed!)

What are some of your favorite childhood games? Maybe there’s a story idea in there somewhere? Good luck and have fun!

Thanks, Sheri!

TIC-TAC-TOE will be published this coming Tuesday, November 4, by Reycraft Books. But you can win a copy right here!

Leave a comment and a winner will be randomly selected next month!

Sheri Dillard is a children’s author and preschool teacher/librarian, and she hosts regular storytimes at her local indie bookstore. She is the author of several picture books, including two game-inspired ones, COWHIDE-AND-SEEK and TIC, TAC, AND TOE.

Sheri lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband Mark, and has three sons who are always (mostly) happy to join her for a board game or two.

From Strangers to Friends to Co-Authors: CALL ME GEBYANESH

August 12, 2025 in Picture Books | 52 comments

by Arlene Rosenfeld Schenker

CALL ME GEBYANESH is based on the real-life experiences of a girl, Gebyanesh Addisu, who immigrated from Ethiopia to Israel with her family when she was seven-years-old.

Although Jewish, she struggled to fit in with her different skin color and very different culture. When I first met her on a trip to Israel ten years ago, she was a high school student and greatly impressed me with her fluent English, her modesty, and her love of learning. We lost touch for a while, but resumed correspondence some years later, and when I approached her to collaborate with me on her immigration story, she was enthusiastic. We met virtually about twenty times, and when she told me about her teacher giving her a new Israeli name on her very first day of third grade, I knew we had a hook. This incident sent Gebby on a roller coaster of emotions and a search for her identity until she was a young adult—when she finally had the courage to reclaim her name and her Ethiopian heritage.

Many authors write books about living people without collaborating or co-authoring. If the subject already has a lot written about them, it may not be necessary to work directly with them to create a picture book from their story.

However, I feel extremely lucky to have been able to get Gebby’s story directly from her and to learn first-hand about her struggles and eventual triumphs. So when my editor advised naming Gebby as a co-author to give the book more authenticity, I was happy to do so. Though I did all the writing, it is Gebby’s story, and she put in many hours with me crafting it into a picture book.

P.S. Gebby is now 27 and a graduate student in Ancient History at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I am so grateful that we have become close, life-long friends.