Home As Inspiration—Utilizing Your Experiences to Craft Good Books for Children
Writing for children is more challenging than many may even realize. As children’s authors, we must use words sparingly to capture the attention of young listeners and readers, captivating them with story while subtly weaving in important messages and themes for them to internalize. This is no easy feat!
In this workshop we will explore the world of children’s literature and familiarize ourselves with information writers need to know to craft good books for children. We’ll review the basics of picture books through middle grade novels (format, type, word count, etc.), as well as elements of a story that move the reader through a strong narrative arc. Then, we’ll delve into our own histories, experiences, and passions as inspiration for stories to craft for young readers. Finally, we will analyze our own work, offer critiques, and begin revising and strengthening our manuscripts. Attendees are asked to bring up to five pages each of 1-2 work-in-progress manuscripts printed out and ready for revision, and/or 1-2 of their own ideas for books to begin drafting or writing. This workshop is geared at helping attendees understand the value good children’s literature offer to children and the world, as well as an opportunity to craft and revise work centered on experiences that make us who we are!
JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD, is an award-winning and New York Times Best-Selling children’s author, poet, educator, scholar, and a former professor of Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Her first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, and her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award. JaNay has over twenty books published including the popular picture book series Where in the Garden, the Harriet Tubman and Simone Biles Little Golden Book Biographies, the Scholastic chapter book series Love Puppies, and the highly praised picture book Jam, Too! Her books have been translated into several languages and continue to garner praise and adoration around the world. JaNay is also featured in several educational web-videos including Cooking with JaNay and Jammies with JaNay and she travels the country presenting to children, teachers, librarians, administrators, parents and community members about the importance of diverse children’s books and best ways to support the development of children. JaNay lives in California with her husband Catrayel, her daughter Vivian, and her turtle Theodora. Learn more about JaNay here: www.janaybrownwood.com.