April 2024 - Picture Book People

Picture Book Prompt 48

The Very Hungry Caterpillar story is about hope. You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings and fly off into the future. —Eric Carle

Unfolding your wings and flying off into the future can be enormously exciting and deeply scary to a small child. Write about both the embrace of independence and the fear.

Picture Book Prompt 47

A hero needs two things: a loyal friend and a tireless enemy.
—Fernando Savater

What might a loyal friend look like to a five-year-old? How about a tireless enemy?

Picture Book Prompt 46

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.
—Nursery rhyme

Write about a character who is “contrary,” whatever that might mean to you.

Picture Book Prompt 45

“Sometimes all you can do is say, ‘Wow.’”
—Kevin Henkes

“Wow!” is the ultimate expression of awe and wonder. Think of some events and situations that a child might find to be worthy of a Wow! Dig deep and write about it.

Picture Book Prompt 44

“Sometimes I don’t want to talk about it. Not to anyone. No one. No one at all.
I just want to think about it on my own.
Because it is mine. And no one else’s.”
—Michael Rosen’s Sad Book

Like adults, children sometimes need to be quiet, to feel and to process what they’re going through. Write about something that a child might not be ready to share, and what they might tell themselves about the situation.