The Missing Pirate Costume (Microfiction)
Studying Children’s Books
Studying Children’s Books
Fiiinnnaaalllyyy published a picture book, Over The Creek, on Amazon!
We have all heard the phrase: if you want to be a better writer, read. Well, read, a LOT! Dan Gutman is an author I have been reading and studying, respectively, a LOT lately. In fact, we’re only halfway through January and I have done more reading these last two weeks than I have the entirety of 2019.
Dan Gutman is more well known for his “My Weirder-est School” book series. So far, I have read books 1 (Miss Child Has Gone Wild) and 2 (Miss Porter is Out of Order).
Dan Gutman’s Biography:
Dan Gutman may be weird, but he is also beloved by kids, parents, and teachers across the country. His books include the My Weird School series (more than 10 million copies sold), the Baseball Card Adventures (more than 1.5 million copies sold) and the New York Times bestselling The Genius Files. We also publish his spoofy picture book, CASEY BACK AT BAT, and one of Dan’s favorites, JOHNNY HANGTIME. Dan lives in New York City (a very weird place), with his weird wife, Nina, and their two weird children, Sam and Emma.
My Weirder-est School Series
This comical book series, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers and illustrated by Jim Paillot, starts with Miss Child Has Gone Wild (My Weird School).
Book #1 alone has more than four million copies sold!
Synopsis of Miss Child Has Gone Wild:
The third grade has won a weird contest, so they get to go on a field trip to the zoo. That’s how they meet Miss Child, the weirdest zookeeper in the history of the world. She thinks animals are smarter than people! She thinks elephants can paint pictures! She keeps snakes in her pockets for fun! Guess who’s going to wind up in a cage with a lion?
Book #2, part of the “My Weirder-est School” series, Miss Porter is Out of Order, has sold more than 23 million copies!
Synopsis of Miss Porter is Out of Order:
A.J. and the gang are getting a substitute, but Miss Porter isn’t a normal teacher. She’s a computer! A personal digital assistance, to be precise. Miss Porter knows weird jokes and can get pizza delivered by drone. But what happens when Miss Porter turns out to be the opposite of fun? Will anyone be able to shut her down before she takes over Ella Mentry?
Mr. Gutmans’ books have given me plenty of inspiration for future children’s book projects. And as I continue to read his book series, the more I’ll be inspired for my own projects.
His writing style is something of a masterpiece in itself; relatable characters, fun use of rhyming devices, and so much more.
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Sedona, Arizona
“The earth has music for those who listen” – William Shakespeare
Flash Fiction WIP
I wanted to do this flash fiction piece for #FlashFictionFriday but decided halfway through I would turn it into something…a little more.
