Knights, Elephants and Not The Easter Bunny, Oh My!

Super episode of Reading With Your Kids featuring four fascinating authors & illustrators. Susanna Lloyd and Patti Donnelly celebrated their book "Here Be Dragons," an interactive story where the text and illustrations tell different narratives. They described developing the hapless knight character and subverting stereotypes.

Other authors discussed finding inspiration from everyday experiences. Dazzle Ng shared that her book "When an Elephant Hears No" came from saying no to her son at bedtime. T.L. Macbeth's book "I Am Not the Easter Bunny" was inspired by his mother's silly story idea. The authors emphasized the importance of writing down ideas when they strike.

The conversation also touched on cultural differences in children's literature. Books from places like the Philippines and Latin America often incorporate local language and address challenges facing communities. Meanwhile, some authors enjoy playfully subverting expectations through characters like an angry elephant or insistent bunny.

Overall, the discussion provided insight into diverse creative processes. The authors emphasized fostering children's creativity through involvement and materials. They look forward to future collaborations that continue exploring emotional intelligence and storytelling from around the world.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com