From Idea to Picture Book - Historical Fiction version

I love to show students this research report I wrote in fourth grade. (There I am sharing it, below.) I have loved elephants for a long time!

This behind-the-scenes look at bookmaking focuses on my book Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing. I reveal a book's journey from idea to bound book, including:
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- how writers get ideas
- the research involved
- the writing process, including beginning-middle-end and sensory details
- revision, revision, and more revision
- the submissions and editorial process
- the sketch stage
- how the final art was created
- the print/production stage

Visuals include research notes, marked up manuscripts, sketches/artists' dummy, a piece of final artwork, and press sheets from the book. In discussing how one particular book came to life, I forge connections between my writing process (and struggles!) and students' own brainstorming, research, organizers, drafts, and revision. I ask many questions as I go, inviting student participation. The program concludes with time for Q&A before a final wrap-up of key points to remember.

This program lasts about 45 minutes, which includes time for questions. The presentation can be scaled up or down for grade 1 through adult audiences and supports Common Core Language Standard 5, Reading Literature Standards 5 (grade 2), and Reading Informative Text Standards 6 and 7.

I have worked as an editor at HarperCollins Children's books and as a children's bookseller and reviewer. I currently work at Studio Goodwin Sturges, a representative for children's book illustrators in Providence, RI, so I bring an informed, well-rounded perspective to the bookmaking process.

Photo credit: Stephanie Muzzy. Thank you, Stephanie!