Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday!
WHAT BAD LUCK! My scheduled blog post had to be pushed because the author’s book was pushed
And then a happy accident happened. If any of you ever watched the late great Bob Ross painting on TV, you’ll remember that he said there were no mistakes, only happy little accidents.
WHAT GOOD LUCK! I reached out to dear writing friend Suzy Leopold and she stepped up to the plate. Suzy put together an awesome Will Write for Cookies post, created a super journal-making craft, and is giving away a personalized journal! More than that, she shared the name of a picture book she uses in her school visits. I fell in love with it and plan to use it with students next year when my debut picture book launches.
SHOW ME A STORY: WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOKS
Written by Nancy Loewen
Illustrated by Christopher Lyles
Published by Picture Winow Books/Capstone (2009)
Ages: 7-9
Themes: creating stories, writing your own book
Synopsis:
From Amazon: Ready to build a picture book? First, you’ll need the right tools. Open this title in the Writer’s Toolbox series and discover plenty of tips and tools to get you started. Soon you’ll be writing and showing stories like a pro!
Why I like this book:
- Humorous story that serves as an example
- Great illustrations that will engage kids
- Breaks down the main elements of a picture book in simple terms
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Journal-Making by Suzy Leopold
Materials Needed:
One composition notebook or student journal
Three pieces of 12 X 12 inch scrapbook paper
Glue stick
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Paper cutter (optional)
Ruler
Embellishments
Di cut letters or letter stickers
Ribbon or Rick Rack
Directions:
- Using three sheets of scrapbook paper, cut two pieces of scrapbook paper 8 X 12 inches.
- Apply a generous amount of glue to the journal, position the scrapbook paper and smooth out any bubbles.
- Wrap and fold the extended edges of the scrapbook paper, creating mitered corners and secure with a generous amount of glue.
- Cut two pieces of scrapbook paper 9 X 6 inches. Using a glue stick adhere to the inside covers of the journal.
5. Open the journal to the middle section of the notebook that reveals the stitching. Hot glue two or three 14 inch pieces of ribbon on the top edge. Drape the pieces of ribbon across sections of the notebook to become a bookmark. Tie a knot at the bottom of each piece of ribbon.
6. Time to embellish your journal with scrapbook stickers and cutouts, etc. Use additional scraps of scrapbook paper. Recycle greeting cards. Use buttons and babbles. Be creative.
Suzy and I are both passionate about encouraging kids to read at home. She shared the info-graph below. I totally 100% agree with her…I used to hand out flyers to the students to bring home, asking parents to spend 15 minutes a day with their kids, reading, crafting, or cooking. But I like the 20 minutes better!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. For more picture book reviews, head on over to Susanna Hill’s website. But before you go, please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a personalized journal made by the queen of craft herself…Suzy!
And don’t miss tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies when Suzy shares her thoughts about using journals for this writing life and more.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
I love reading, crafting and cooking. I tried to do all these things with three active boys. I was successful half the time. They wanted to play sports in the backyard mostly. But when we had the time, we would indulge in picture books, crafting sailboats or making brownies.
This journal looks like a wonderful one! Great book, thank you for sharing!
All the best, Lily
LikeLike
Thank you Lily. It is my pleasure to share with you. I, too, have boys. While they are all grown up now, I understand your thoughts about their preferences for playing sports and being active as you squeeze in time for books, crafting and cooking. Continue to find a balance with all of these activities and consider reading as a priority.
~Suzy
LikeLike
What a great looking book – can’t wait to read it! And I just helped in my son’s 3rd grade class where they made writer’s notebooks using a similar process. I never thought to make one for myself but I just might now! 🙂
LikeLike
SHOW ME A STORY: WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK is an excellent read for all readers and writers. How wonderful that you can support your son and his teacher in 3rd grade.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Hi Suzy and Vivian – thanks for a great craft, chart, and book about writing picture books. I will take a look at the book for sure!
LikeLike
You are sure to enjoy the book, Melissa. It is an excellent mentor texts for readers and writers of all ages.
~Suzy
LikeLike
I laughed out loud at “happy little mistakes”! Thanks for the smile this morning. I love Show Me a Story. It is such a great tool. And the journal is beautiful-what a transformation! Thank you Suzy and Vivian.
LikeLike
Your comment is appreciated, Elizabeth.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Show Me a Story is a great choice. What a wonderful way to introduce children to writing their own books. Great craft.
LikeLike
SHOW ME A GREAT STORY: WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK is a great choice for children. It is also an excellent mentor texts for readers and writers of all ages. Thank you, Patricia.
~Suzy
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss Bob Ross and his easy-going show. He inspired and relaxed at the same time. Thank you, Suzy, for sharing a favorite writing tool and fun craft.
LikeLike
Ah, yes, Cute Charlotte–Bob Ross. Every now and then I note past episodes on PBS. I enjoy painting in acrylics. His style and technique are inspirational. Thank you, Charlotte.
~Suzy
LikeLike
I am privileged to be able to work with 3rd and 4th graders each fall when they write their own picture books. The stories they come up with are wonderful. Reading with your kids, or in my case, grand kids, is so important. Thank you for the graph. I plan on sharing it with my 12 year old who thinks reading is boring.
LikeLike
Such a great experience for you to share picture book creations with 3rd and 4th graders, Sherry. Perhaps through modeling, shared reading, and encouragement your grand will appreciate the importance of reading.
~Suzy
LikeLike
The graphic about reading is fantastic! Thanks for the cool info! And thank you for the rec about writing PBs. I’m going to take a look at it to see if I can use it in some way for our kids during library time. Thanks for filling in for Vivian, Suzy!
LikeLike
It is my pleasure to share this book recommendation, Jilanne. I am pleased that you find the graphic about the importance of 20 minutes of daily reading of interest.
~Suzy
LikeLiked by 1 person
The journal idea is so creative–I need to do this as I love journals and never can find the right one for a price I’d want to pay. It has to have cute animals on it and purple background. Now I can do it myself. My favorite mom memories are baking cookies with my kids, making pizza kits, and reading every night before bed. I’d always fall for the “just one more book!!!” cry.
LikeLike
All you need are cute animals on a purple background along with bling and you’ll have the perfect journal for you, Danielle. Yep, *Just one more book,* pleeeease.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Suzy is all about craft, flowers and beautiful stuff. This is great! For a moment I thought it was a published book.
LikeLike
Your kind words are appreciated, Rita. Thank you.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Wow. I love the activity, the info-graph, and the book. Great choice. I would love to win a journal from Suzy – they are always so special!
LikeLike
Over the years, I have made and gifted hundreds of personalized journals. It’s always my pleasure to share. Thank you, Maria.
LikeLike
Very nice post Suzy! My daughters and I make journals like this every year and use them as “Mom & me journals.” They write to me in their journal, then the next post is me responding to them.
LikeLike
I love that you and the girls create shared journals. These are keepsakes that document special thoughts and conversations between a Momma and her daughters. Thank you for sharing this idea, Julie.
LikeLike
Suzy makes the awesome-est journals! Great post; great pinch-hitter.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sweet Sue, for your kind words.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Pingback: Perfect Picture Book Friday: SHOW ME A STORY – WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK Plus Giveaway | Through the Prairie Garden Gate
Funny I should come home after dinner out with Niece, and her family and see this lovely post with Suzy of making a journal. We were just reminiscing at dinner about the times my Niece flew from Australia to spend school holidays with me and her Uncle, and how we used to decorate a scrap book with all her holiday photos and stories of what she had been doing, with the pages dotted in shells, and coloured drawings to take home and show and tell on her return to school. She loved doing it. Lovely post thank you ladies. .
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you are so lovely to share your memories of creating scrap books with your niece, Diane. I would think the special journals filled with photos, stories, and seashells will remind you both of your holidays together. Such a treasure.
~Suzy
LikeLike
Great craft! I also love to craft. My cousin and I come up with a craft for seniors to do at our local senior center every Wednesday. They are just as amazing to work with as kids. I love notebooks, too, so this is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May you, your cousin, and the senior enjoy making and creating journals together. It is my pleasure to share with you, Janet.
LikeLike
This reminds me of how I made a scrapbook as a kid. I still have it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful that you’ve kept your childhood scrapbook, Darla. Thank you for sharing.
~Suzy
LikeLike