Tag: writing tips for kids

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Basket

Child's drawing of a tree house with red escape slide, basket and rocking chair

Dear Olivia,

I like how you’ve meticulously labelled absolutely everything in your drawing, like a scientist or a museum curator. Also, you’ve really paid attention to details: the straws in the glasses of lemonade, the chocolate chips (or are they raisins?) in the cookies, the flowers in the window boxes and the heart-shaped doorknob. It’s quite wonderful. Authors love details!

I’m intrigue by the basket of wool you’ve included. Do you knit? I knit and I have just finished a blue sweater. I found that having a craft or two on the go has provided me a welcomed escape during this pandemic.

Stay well, and happy reading,

Jessica

PS I’m pretty sure they’re chocolate chips.

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Pandemic tree fort

Child's drawing for a tree fort

Dear Scarlett,

I know you drew this for me a few months ago, but I now find that your work beautifully captures what it’s been like living at home and quarantining during a pandemic.

For example, you have quite a few people crowded into a small home, but everyone, including the gigantic bunny, has found their own private space within it. Second, you’ve drawn arrows to show where to walk or move to keep up with social distancing. Lastly, someone is dropping off a basket of food, maybe even baked goods. Very kind.

Thank you so much for this timely drawing. I’d also like to take this moment to thank these organizations and people for their online work that has kept me safely occupied and in good health these past few months:

@hfxpublib

@twuc

@writerstrust

@scbwi

@authorsbooking

@GoodLifeFitness

@MrAndrewCotter

@sarahcpr

Happy reading,

Jessica

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Desk-top telescope

Child's drawing of a bedroom with a telescope

Dear Reid,

Your words are too kind, but thank you for them. You made me smile.

The room you’ve drawn looks like a lot of fun, mostly because it has two of my favorite things: books (of course!) and a telescope.

Now, I’ve never owned my own telescope, but I’ve had a chance to look through others, and I marvel at the worlds that I can see so far away. I find it really hard to imagine what’s beyond the reach of a telescope. When you look through your telescope, does it give you deep thoughts, too?

I love to write about Space and about kids who enjoy Space and rockets as much as I do. I’m so glad you like Martin Bridge. You might like my new character named Arno Creelman who I wrote about in Clear Skies. He’s a big telescope fan.

Happy reading,
Jessica

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Bluejay spotted!

Child's drawing of a bluejay

Dear Emma,

I’m so glad you spotted a bluejay. I have a few fun facts for you. Even though bluejays look blue to us, their feathers are actually brown. What happens is a trick of light. All of the colours of light pass through the feathers except for blue, and that’s what we see. Neat!

Bluejays are very smart. They are a member of the crow and raven family, and they know how to use tools to get food. Also, they are very good at waiting for opportunities to eat, such as carefully watching as people enjoy their picnic lunch and when they turn away, bluejays will swoop in for the steal.

Lastly, bluejays can imitate the sound of hawks. When they spot one looking for its next meal, they call out like a hawk to warn other birds that a hawk is nearby. That way, the birds around take heed so that they don’t become lunch.

Thank you so much for your birdwatching report. You’ve done a lovely job.

Stay well,

Jessica