Writing a book requires a stroke of genius—or maybe just a stroke of inspiration. Potential children’s stories are everywhere, just waiting to be told by someone who has something unique to say about them. A daily routine in your household could spark a tradition in someone else’s. Perhaps your pet’s antics are too silly to keep hidden from the world. Or maybe there’s a life lesson you feel called to share with the next generation, helping to make the world a better place one reader at a time.
If you’re ready to write a book but are stuck asking yourself “. . . about what?”, hearing from other authors who have been in your shoes (because trust us—every author has been there) may help get your creative juices flowing. Check out the inspiration behind these ten Blue Balloon titles, directly from their authors.
Kristen Kilroy, author of Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy: “Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy is inspired by my real-life work as a pediatric aquatic physical therapist. For many children, the pool environment (or any new activity) can be intimidating. I wrote this book to ease these fears. [The book] demonstrates how aquatic therapy is a safe place to work on skills and have fun during the process.”
Timothy Ryan, author of June Bug’s Outdoor Adventures: “I often wonder what our pets do when we are not home. Sure, they sleep a lot, but what else do they do?”
Brittany Kelly, author of Freckles: “My inspiration came from my daughter’s unique and sweet bond with a duck decoy she named Freckles. Since meeting him at three years old, she has carried Freckles everywhere. People have embraced their unusual friendship, and it has been heartwarming to witness the happiness it brings to others. Throughout their adventures, I started to realize that this story holds meaning, and I got to work!”
Grace McCaffrey, author of Knox & the Magic Raindrops: “My son, Finn, has had plenty of his own toddler grievances. Rain was not the main one, but any manner of inconvenience could set him into a tailspin (like most toddlers). We’ve talked a lot about taking deep breaths, and we’ve also dabbled in trying to make un-fun things more fun. The main way to make anything fun is to suddenly obtain superpowers—ask any four-year-old.”
Phil Hall, author of The Day the Children Saved the World: “At the time I wrote the first draft of my book, I was working as a middle school administrator. One day, I was thinking about what I wish I could’ve taught my students when they were younger. I wanted to write a book that illustrates the impact that everyone can have, even through small acts of kindness and selflessness.”
Jamie Scheumann, author of Dear Girl, Be Free: “I wanted to create a message for young girls—our daughters—who may be feeling the same weight that so many of us grown women also felt as children. My hope is that if we can teach them and guide them by talking about our own past experiences, they will be better equipped to navigate similar struggles in a more productive and positive way as they grow.”
Sheryl Resnick, author of A Friend for Ruby: “A Friend for Ruby was inspired by our fluffy rescue Norwegian Forest cat named Ruby. She is quite a curious creature and gets herself into the funniest of predicaments. Every day with her is a delight, and we wanted to share our enjoyment with everyone.”
James Reum, author of Luciana’s Finest Hour: “As a child on a family trip to Italy, I was fascinated by a visit to a glassblowing factory in Venice and conjured up the amusing image of a burping glassblower. While the idea lingered in my mind for many years, only recently did I envision a way to develop a children’s story around it, centered on a young heroine.”
Brittney Roberts, author of The Knights of Mairia: “I was on a walk with three of my little boys in the woods when they asked for a story. After a moment, I pictured a dragon standing between the trees in the distance, and the idea hit me. I proceeded to tell them a story about themselves as valiant knights, saving, protecting, and problem-solving in a beautiful land. This was the beginning of The Knights of Mairia.”
Ashley L. Matias, author of The Ride Along Series: My Hometown: “Helping my son overcome his speech delay was the primary inspiration for the book. Throughout early intervention, we were repeatedly told to narrate life.”
You never know when inspiration will strike, but when it does, we’ll be ready to help you capture it like lightning in a bottle. Find out more at www.blueballoonbooks.com.