Writing for Kids – WRITING ETC.

People tell me that it must be easy to write for kids. After all, books for young readers are brief and use simple vocabulary. Hah! If it were that easy, I’d be the published author of 88 kids’ books, instead of only 8.

Writing for kids keeps me in touch with my inner child. She’s not a bad kid. She enjoys simple pleasures, finds magic everywhere and she dreams big. But she also whines about the unfairness of life, pouts when her sister gets the larger slice of cake and regards adult behaviour with various degrees of scepticism. I must always listen to her to avoid writing down to my readers.

EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS were my first venture into kid lit when I was a reading tutor for several boys who needed encouragement to read. What if I wrote a chapter book in which boys were the heroes, a dictionary was involved and magic played a part? Thus, The Amazing Dictionary series was born starring my grandsons Jake and Max. I tested audience reaction on a Grade 3 class and was thrilled when they asked for 5 more stories. The series consists of the following: Penguin Pranks, Anaconda Antics and Monkey Business.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

My 3 graphic novels in the Timeline Series published by Rubicon and Scholastic Canada (The Golden Scarab, Fighting for Rights and Trapped in Gallipoli) were challenging to write. Not only did I have to keep track of each plot, but also I had to give directions about the relevant art work; this was a new experience. My favourite is Trapped in Gallipoli because I love the traditional illustrating style of Scott Page.

NON FICTION BOOKS The 2 non-fiction books were part of The Ten series. They are The Ten Most Extraordinary Medical Conditions and The Ten Most Endangered Animals. The illustrations chosen by the editors were very appropriate and the coloured panda cover is outstanding.