Saturday Storm: Backwards Brainstorm (Giveaway!)

7/26/2013

Artwork by E-Rock

Okay, back to our writing! Today our brainstorm is rather silly. Your task is to think of something ordinary and turn it around! Take an everyday, ordinary thing and think of it in a backwards way. Turn it, twist it, spin it around! Sometimes when something feels wrong, it can be oh-so-right in the picture book world! The super silly titles below will give you a feel for where I am headed with this. (You can click on each picture to learn more about these awesome authors & illustrators!)

Here is the fun part! We are having a giveaway! The winner will receive a signed copy of Square Cat by Elizabeth Schoonmaker! Thanks goes out to Elizabeth for motivating us with her amazing book! Please leave a comment with the following to enter the drawing:

1. Tell us the topic that you are turning around. (You do not need to tell us how you made it backward...that's your private new masterpiece!) 2. Tell us one book that you love that has a backwards component to it. That's it! Be sure to have your comment posted by 8pm CST on Friday, August 2. The Brown Bunch will pull a name from my cowboy hat and announce the winner next Saturday, August 3, in the Saturday Storm post. Have fun being backwards!

Square Cat by Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Crankee Doodle written by Tom Angleberger. Illustrated by Cece Bell.

The Day the Crayons Quit written by Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.

19 Comments

Romelle Broas link

7/26/2013 05:10:58 pm

Great idea Carrie! I'm going to have to give this more thought, but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate this brainstorm idea.

Carrie Charley Brown

7/26/2013 06:06:09 pm

You are welcome, Romelle! It's my pleasure to help!

Robb Michael G link

7/26/2013 06:39:36 pm

Great idea/prompt. I'm lookiing at a mug and thinking of it as a hat, a pencil could be a soldier, a handkerchief could be... I never realized there were so many potential stories lurking.
Also, I loved 'The Day the Crayons Quit.' When I started reading it I wondered how something with so many words ever became a picture book. Then I realilzed that each crayon offers a separate bedtime story. A wonderful, creative book.

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 03:33:15 pm

Hi Rob! Isn't it great to find potential stories lurking in everyday objects? Great work! I love your idea of reading each crayon's letter as a separate bedtime story. Good luck in the drawing! Check back next Saturday, or subscribe to stay in the loop!

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 03:54:27 pm

Sorry, Robb with 2 b's!

Susanna Leonard Hill link

7/26/2013 11:58:19 pm

Great idea, Carrie! I will have to mull on this a little!

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 03:55:18 pm

Having fun mulling, Susanna! I look forward to your comment!

Kirsti Call link

7/27/2013 01:23:52 am

This is a fantastic idea, and I think this idea is what makes the most memorable picture books. I really like "Little Hoot" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. My topic is food--I'm twisting what kids like to eat or are required to eat.

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 03:59:05 pm

Hi Kirsti! I went to Goodreads to mark Little Hoot on my "To Read" list, and even though it is not recorded, I remembered reading this book and loved it! Great recommendation! I will reread it again so I can rate it! Have fun twisting food around! Good luck in the drawing!

Julie Rowan-Zoch link

7/27/2013 02:51:20 am

Just because I have this book handy: Bear Despair is a mild example, the grown bear has his teddy stolen. Really is a fun wordless read! I'm going to have to give the item more thought too, but I've got a spark already!

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 04:01:51 pm

Hi Julie! Thanks for the great book rec! It looks cute and quirky! I look forward to hearing of your progress with your brainstorm!

Ann Magee

7/27/2013 05:32:03 am

Would a fractured fairy tale idea work for this? I have one for a red haired "Goldilocks". I love poetry and would like to include some favorites by Valerie Worth for my example--she personifies inanimate objects superbly. All the Small Poems and 14 More is a super collection! (a pencil becomes a wand, for ex)

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 04:05:23 pm

Thanks, Ann! Good luck developing your idea and in the drawing! Be sure to check back!

Nancy Churnin link

7/27/2013 02:28:41 pm

I love The Mixed Up States of America because of the way it teaches kids about the states in a fun and memorable way by giving them personalities.

Carrie Charley Brown

7/27/2013 04:12:33 pm

I love The Scrambled States of America! Good luck with your holiday twist and also in our drawing! Be sure to subscribe to see if you won and also to receive great prompts every Saturday!

Nancy Churnin link

7/27/2013 02:31:25 pm

I forgot to include my backwards story which is a twist on a traditional holiday one.

Elizabeth link

7/28/2013 01:12:58 am

Thank you!
http://eulathesquarecat.blogspot.com/

Linda Boyden link

7/28/2013 02:39:27 am

This is a fun idea, Carrie! I think "Pierre" by Maurice Sendak is an example. Pierre is a backwards little guy, sometimes literally. I have a PB WIP about a tree that grows...well not fruits or nuts shall we say?

Carrie Charley Brown

7/28/2013 07:38:07 am

Great, Linda! Have fun building your backwards brainstorm and WIP!

Carrie Charley Brown

As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on. Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone? Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books. If we work together, great things will follow!