Creating a Children's Book

Student Worksheet 1: The Idea

You have probably been reading books for years. Now you will have the chance to write your own! Famous Canadian children's author Tim Wynne-Jones and illustrator Eric Beddows (Ken Nutt), who created the Zoom series, have let the National Library of Canada use their books to help students learn about the steps used in creating a picture book. By following along, you will learn about all the things that go into making a great book.

The first step is to brainstorm ideas that you can turn into an interesting story. Try to think of at least five ideas. Here are some tips about how to brainstorm story ideas:

• Look through a magazine with lots of pictures or photos. An image may suggest a story. Write the idea down.
• Open the dictionary at random, read the words listed. One may spark an idea. Write the idea down.
• Look in the newspaper. You might want to make up a story about something you read there. Write the idea down.
• Look through an encyclopedia. A fact you find might spark an idea. Write the idea down.
• If you are working in a group, ask each person to contribute one word, and see if a story can be made from all the suggested words. Write the idea down.

Story Ideas

Now use mind mapping to develop some more ideas. Pay attention to:

The characters (who is in the story)

• Limit yourself to one main character and 3 or 4 secondary characters

The setting (where the story happens)

• Place, time of day or year, weather

The plot (what happens in the story)

• Try to think of problems that your characters might encounter

Finally, consider this: What age of reader do you want to write your book for? This could change how you write and present your book.