The best part of any school visit has to be the questions. For kindergarteners, that usually means statements.
“I have a piano!”
“This morning, my little brother spilled my water!”
“I’m hungry!”
What a joy, right? I try to reflect enthusiasm for their statements (“I am hungry, too!”) and sometimes ask a question back.
But every so often, you get a deep one. Last week at my son’s school, the very last question came from a girl in the front row wearing a green soccer T-shirt over her pink and white dress. I bent over to hear her better.
“What if you don’t know if you should make your writing into a book because you don’t know if anyone else will like it?”
Oof.
I wanted to wrap this kindergartener in my arms and tell her not to worry so much. Remind her that she’s 5 and doing exactly what she’s supposed to be doing.
In my presentation, I talk to the kids about worrying as a kid that I wasn’t a good enough writer, that maybe someone else in class or my older brother was better. I ask if anyone has felt this way, and tentative hands go up.
I present this as though it is something I overcame, but in truth, it’s not. I am still that worried child, now holding a microphone in front of a large crowd of kids, adding new layers of anxiety.
So what do you do when you don’t know if anyone will like your writing?
You write anyway.
I told her I had worried that morning about whether she and the other kindergarteners would like my book. I told her to be brave. I told her to keep writing. I told her to write what she wants to write without worrying about what other people think about it.
It didn’t feel sufficient, but maybe it’s what I need to hear myself.
I’m excited to be joining a panel on “picture book treasures” this Sunday at Books of Wonder with an amazing group of authors and illustrators. I hope you can join me! RSVP and check out the books here.
In other book news:
How amazing is this story in Forbes: Children Gain Valuable Lessons On Art, Gender, Family, Love, And Peace In New Yoko Ono Picture Book
“Imamura’s dreamy, ethereal imagery amplifies Tolin’s triumphant text – infused with feminism and passion for art, love, and peace – and underscores Ono’s enduring impact on the global art world.”And it’s a star from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books!
“Yoko Ono is finally given her due as an artist in this picture book biography, brought to life by Imamura's beautiful and tonally perfect artwork.”
I hope I’ll see you on Sunday! And drop me a note in the comments if you have better advice for a 5-year-old (and me, fine, me).
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