Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids
Collected by
Elissa Brent Weissman
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With
Kwame Alexander, Tom Angleberger, Kathi Appelt, Ashley Bryan, Tim Federle, Candace Fleming, Marla Frazee, Chris Gall, Alex Gino, Chris Grabenstein, Gordon Korman, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Thanhha Lai, Peter Lerangis, Gail Carson Levine, Grace Lin, Yuyi Morales, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, R.J. Palacio, Linda Sue Park, Dan Santat, Brian Selznick, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Eric Rohmann
Have you ever wondered what your favorite authors and illustrators were like before they became famous? Every great storyteller has to start somewhere, and the journey is rarely perfect. This unique and deeply inspiring collection pulls back the curtain on the childhoods of some of today's most beloved creators.
Before they were winning massive awards and topping the bestseller lists, these brilliant artists were just regular kids trying to find their creative voices. You will discover the very early, sometimes embarrassing, and always fascinating works of celebrated writers and artists. Read a third grade writing assignment that sparked a lifelong passion, explore the early sketches of a future illustrator, and see the discarded drafts that eventually turned into brilliant poetry.
This collection reveals the failures, the rough drafts, and the vital moments of encouragement that helped shape these incredible minds. It is a powerful reminder that creativity takes practice and patience. Whether you love writing, drawing, or just a good story, these vulnerable and smart childhood memories will inspire you to pick up a pencil and start creating your own masterpiece.
208 Pages
A Civil Rights Story
When a young boy named Alex spots an old mule munching peacefully on garden greens, he has to ask about her. Why does this particular animal get to eat whatever she wants? The answer reveals an incredible true story of courage and community. The mule is named Belle, and she is no ordinary animal. Back in the 1960s, the African American community in Gee's Bend, Alabama, was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to register to vote. But local authorities tried to stop them by shutting down the ferry and forcing a massive detour. Unstoppable in their quest for equal rights, the community turned to mule-drawn wagons to make the long journey. Belle was one of the gentle, hardworking mules that carried people toward justice. Through Alex's eyes, you will discover how ordinary people and one very special mule played a vital role in the civil rights movement. This touching story beautifully connects generations while honoring the quiet heroes of history.
35 Pages
