Children's Story Draft

Please draft a children's story (300-500 words?) in the next few days, maybe first in your journal and then in a New Post on your blog.  You'll need your story to be finished and proofread by the beginning of next week so we can put together our children's books. 

Give your story a great title and think about how your book will be illustrated (kids' stories are often all about the pictures!)

Children's stories aren't usually all that long, but because of their brevity, each line and word needs to count.  Try to make strong and effective word choices and eliminate any unnecessary rambling.  

Also, decide on an age group to target with your story and keep that in mind as you craft your piece. What would a kid that age know, want to know, think about, be scared of, find funny, etc.?  (I'm planning to send your books to my friend's 3rd grade class at Portland Elementary for the kids to review).

You may want your story to rhyme--seems like many kids' books do--but it's certainly not required. Your story could be funny or serious, silly or sentimental...

Here are a couple of websites my students have used in the past to create their books online, some of which provide illustrations that you can use and shape your story around.  If you're totally stumped about what to write, you might start there and see if inspiration strikes.  If you create a book on these sites I will order one for you and be sure you get an actual copy.

Book Creator (Class Code: 5QJRBCH): You are welcome to create a comic book on this site if you'd like.

Storybird


StoryJumper (Password: fraserfras)


You are welcome to write about whatever you want, but there are a number of ideas for stories at this website if you're looking for inspiration, or maybe you could try the brainstorming process explained on this website.

I personally like the feel of Mac Barnett's work.  Check out his blog and ever-growing collection of children's titles. I also love his TedTalk.

The KHS librarians have posted a presentation on children's literature to the Library page on Canvas for you to consult for ideas and tips.  

Or maybe consider these activities from Children's Book Writer:

Select one character, one character trait, one setting, one problem, and one magical element from the lists below and write a 200-250 word scene or story. To complete the exercise, eliminate the magical element and rewrite the scene/story. What had to change? Does the magical element make your main character, and the story he tells, any stronger?

Main Character (select one from list or create your own)

Cassandra

Joey

Lizard

Ardvark

Gollup

Character Trait (select one)

Shy

Curious

Loud

Slippery

Sad

Setting (select one)

Cruise ship

Hot air balloon

Zoo

School playground

Beach

Problem (select one)

Forgot lunch

Lost

Make a new friend

Bullied

Cold

Save the planet

Magical element (select one)

Skateboard

Bubble

Jumprope

Elephant

Dollar bill

...........................................................................................................

Select a beginning, a main character, and a moral to convey. Imagine yourself telling your tale to a rapt group of children... Keep interest high by using active verbs and phrases, use conflict to create tension, and try lots of dialogue. To complete the exercise, read it aloud!

Beginning:

My friends! Gather around, close to me. We are about to embark on a strange journey...

Once upon a time, in a land nearly forgotten...

I'm as old as the trees, as old as the stars in the night sky. Only I am old enough to remember what happened a long time ago...

Long ago and far away...

Character:

The Bovine King

Quiet Leopard

The Boy in the Moon

Two Sisters 

The Dancing Rabbit in the Moon

The Lonely Princess

Warty Frog

Moral or Lesson to be Learned:

Always practice kindness

A good deed can make a difference

Only you can control your attitude.

Sometimes things are not as they appear to be.

Don't be afraid to challenge authority