Rocks are bad. Not intentionally so but in relation to this story they are not required. I am not a Geologist by any stretch of the imagination but I do believe that rocks need to be kept beside other rocks. In a rock community.  Away from paper.

In my experience of playing this fateful game, paper will always smother rock and win.

Now, how about the other two components – paper and scissors.

Every Friday, I head along to my local school. I am given 8 noisy, boisterous, amazing children from different classes and for around 25 minutes, we create.  We gaze at the large piece of A3 paper in front of us and the uniform dark blue scissors and we look deep into our creative minds and think amazing thoughts.

We are making our own mini-books.

I am on week 3 of this wonderful scheduled hour in my week and every time I walk round the corner I am more and more amazed at the genuine interest and sparkly-eyed joy that fills the room as they chat about what they are going to draw and write on their works of art. We fold our paper and press down hard on the creases. Once we are satisfied that the thin paper will stand on its own without wobbling, we can sellotape all the open edges together within an inch of their life. NOTHING is going to knock over our new books.

As we admire our blank mini-books and marvel at their unwavering stance on the table, we realise that something is missing.

A story.

Why create a book without a story? Sadly time always appears to be against us and I have yet to see a completed book. But when all is said and done, I am happy for them to leave with just a name on the front. A few letters sprinkled on the page indicating the rightful owner of this magnificent work. Their name, in all its young form and curly letters.

By Me, they write.

I smile a big smile and hope I have encouraged a few more budding writers and illustrators. The world can never have enough of either.

The rest of their book will come in good time.

 

 

 

 

4 Comments

  1. Author

    I didn’t start writing until I was about 17, I wish I had something like this when i was younger to help spur me on. I too love home-made cards! There is something special about a hand drawn picture, made by your children. It means the world to me.

  2. I wonder how much I would have written if someone had encouraged the creation of a book when I was that young! The most we created were Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards … and they told us what to write in them, as well.

  3. Fingers crossed you’re feeding the minds of a new generation of readers as well as writers.Children who may not have had any thoughts in that direction or realised just how much pleasure can be got had it not been for your stimulation.
    Thank you in advance.
    xxx Hugs Galore xxx

    1. Author

      Thank you David, it’s been great listening to them as they sort out their books, ready to begin. Lots of colourful front pages seem to leave the room. I only hope they finish what they started!