Crafting a Picture Book Story

Now that we have read a number of picture books, looked closely at "Freedom Summer", researched two topics, and brainstormed story ideas, it is time to choose 1 topic and plan a story based on it.

Here are some questions to consider before crafting your story:

1) Narrow your broad topic to a specific problem that is child-friendly. For instance, littering is too broad. One problem could be that too many people spit their gum out on the sidewalk, and the gum gets stuck to people's shoes (good example Casey!).

2) What is the message or moral that you want the readers of your picture book to learn?


3) Is your story child-friendly (appropriate for ages 5-9)? If not, here are some suggestions:

• write about a different problem regarding your broad topic
• change your topic; abortion is not a good topic; instead write about being a strong girl who doesn't give into peer pressure or someone who has to learn how to be responsible for a pet
• write an allegory where characters and plot are symbolic of the problem

4) Do you have a simple plot? Are the conflict and resolution believable and understandable? How are you going to show the conflict and give clues on it?

5) Do you have relatable characters?

6) Do you have clues to the setting?

Now have fun crafting your stories! Your story map is due Tuesday, November 30th!

Also, if you need help, come to Zero Period on Monday - 8am!