Tag: writing advise for childrren

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American robin

Child's drawing of an American robin in a tree. Not to scale.

Dear Christopher,

Your American robin is wonderful. They do like trees, but I’ve seen even more on the ground in search of worms and other bugs for their next meal.

How do robins hunt for worms? Worms must be hard to find, right? I read that robins mostly use their very good vision. They can spot the tiny end of a worm as it pokes out of the dirt. They can also see small changes in grass as worms move about just below the surface, which tells them that a worm is there. It would be like wiggling your toes under a blanket. To be sure, they tilt their head to better see with one eye. Then they strike.

They also have very good hearing. As worms wiggle about, they move soil so that small bits of dirt rub together. This makes noise that is way too faint for us to hear, but it’s easy-peasy for robins. I’ll be excited to see them come back this Spring. Look out, worms!

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Unicorn

Child's drawing of a unicorn

Dear Emma,

Your unicorn is darling with its fancy tail bow. How big are unicorns, anyway? Are they the size of a horse, or more like a pony? Or a donkey? Or a small goat?

Today’s weather was so glorious, I almost think I saw a unicorn while walking my dog in our local woods. I hope you write a story about one. I’m sure your story would make unicorns feel very real to skeptics like me. Your drawing almost has me convinced!

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Cardinal

Hi Jackson,

Thanks so much for your drawing of a cardinal, one of my favorite Canadian birds. Their gorgeous orange colour is a real standout against the deep green forest, and I do enjoy the variety of their songs and whistles. One of their calls sounds to me like the cardinal is asking, “Would you eat, would you eat, would you eat peas, peas, peas?”

That’s how I memorize bird songs. I make up words that I think they’re singing. I learned this trick from other birders. When I’m out in the woods, and I hear the question about the peas, I know there’s a cardinal nearby.

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Pixies and demons

Child's drawing of fantastic creatures

Dear Claire,

I will look for all your fantastic creatures this afternoon when I go for a walk with my dog Ivy in the woods. We walk everyday (unless it’s blowing rain) and although I haven’t come across a pixie yet, I’ll keep looking. Like you, I think the woods are magical, and whenever we spend time there, Ivy runs around like a speed demon. Perhaps that counts?

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Big white bear

Child's drawing of room with giant white bear

Dear Katie,

Both your letter and your drawing are so pleasantly descriptive of the place you like to read the most. I can easily imagine being there. It is so nice to see the scene out your window, and also the roller chair that you use at your desk.

I think everyone needs a big white bear to lean on as they read. Lovely!

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Clear skies today

Child's drawing of cover of Jessica Scott Kerrin's novel called Clear Skies

Dear Melissa,

You’ve done a wonderful job drawing the cover of my latest novel, Clear Skies, about a boy in the 1960s who wants to become an astronomer.

I have good news for you. I did retire from my day job, but it was only so that I could write full time and publish more novels. I have another friend who is retiring today from a career she poured her heart and soul into for over thirty (!) years. Now she’s about to enter a new chapter of her life. Fingers crossed, I think she’s finally going to have the time to write, too, which is great because she’s a good writer.

“Clear skies” is what telescope operators say to each other for good luck. They don’t want clouds or fog blocking their view of the starry universe. So, I’m wishing both you and her clear skies.

Happy reading,

Jessica

PS I hope her colleagues throw her an enormous party after this pandemic is over.

PPS I hope she doesn’t base her characters on the folks she worked with, because we all know that any resemblance of characters to persons living or dead is NEVER purely coincidental.