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Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids
From award-winning author Elissa Brent Weissman comes a collection of quirky, smart, and vulnerable childhood works by some of today’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators—revealing young talent, the storytellers they would one day become, and the creativity they inspire today.
Everyone’s story begins somewhere…
For Linda Sue Park, it was a trip to the ocean, a brand-new typewriter, and a little creative license.
For Jarrett J. Krosoczka, it was a third grade writing assignment that ignited a creative fire in a kid who liked to draw.
For Kwame Alexander, it was a loving poem composed for Mother’s Day—and perfected through draft after discarded draft.
For others, it was a teacher, a parent, a beloved book, a word of encouragement. It was trying, and failing, and trying again. It was a love of words, and pictures, and stories .
Your story is beginning, too. Where will it go?
Everyone’s story begins somewhere…
For Linda Sue Park, it was a trip to the ocean, a brand-new typewriter, and a little creative license.
For Jarrett J. Krosoczka, it was a third grade writing assignment that ignited a creative fire in a kid who liked to draw.
For Kwame Alexander, it was a loving poem composed for Mother’s Day—and perfected through draft after discarded draft.
For others, it was a teacher, a parent, a beloved book, a word of encouragement. It was trying, and failing, and trying again. It was a love of words, and pictures, and stories .
Your story is beginning, too. Where will it go?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published July 4, 2017
44 people are currently reading
976 people want to read
About the author
Elissa Brent Weissman
12 books112 followersElissa Brent Weissman is an award-winning author of novels for young readers. Best known for the popular Nerd Camp series, she and her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, NPR’s “Here and Now,” and more. Named one of CBS Baltimore’s Best Authors in Maryland, Elissa spent many years in Baltimore City, where she taught creative writing to children, college students, and adults. She currently lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their two super cool nerds-in-training.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 8, 2022
7 out of 10
Our Story Begins shows a bunch of author's and illustrator's pieces that they made as a kid. These pieces are all complied in this little book. I was happy to recognize a lot of the people featured in this book.
It's really cool seeing artwork and stories from these people from when they were a kid. This book made me want to go out and make some things so I could have some stuff to look at when I'm older. I like the introductions to each person, and I like a lot of the creativity presented in this book. I really like this book, but upon re-reading this book in 2020, I found it to be a lot less compelling than the first time I read it. It kind of dragged on. I still think that this is an amazing concept for a book though. I'd recommend it if you're interested in this sort of thing.
Our Story Begins shows a bunch of author's and illustrator's pieces that they made as a kid. These pieces are all complied in this little book. I was happy to recognize a lot of the people featured in this book.
It's really cool seeing artwork and stories from these people from when they were a kid. This book made me want to go out and make some things so I could have some stuff to look at when I'm older. I like the introductions to each person, and I like a lot of the creativity presented in this book. I really like this book, but upon re-reading this book in 2020, I found it to be a lot less compelling than the first time I read it. It kind of dragged on. I still think that this is an amazing concept for a book though. I'd recommend it if you're interested in this sort of thing.
July 3, 2017
How much fun is this?! Twenty-six children's book authors and illustrators (dare to) reveal their childhood stories and art. The authors and illustrators include lots of my (and probably your) favorites, like Marla Frazee, Linda Sue Park, Gordon Korman, and Ashley Bryan. The stories of their struggles and successes as children will inspire others who have writing or drawing dreams, I think. It's clear that these folks are all real people who are a lot like you and me.
July 3, 2017
I love it, I love it, I love it. My favorite is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's excerpt.
This is a compilation of the first stories and drawings famous illustrators ever wrote and/ or drew. In every story and drawing you can see how authors are just people who liked writing stories and worked hard, and ended up making money by doing it. It's a really neat glimpse into the lives of writers we all adore-- we are often fed interviews with famous actors and actresses, to the point that certain celebrities become household names. And yet, as a child, I never thought about how writers became Writers. I never thought that was a job that was accessible. I thought you had to be special and feel special and know you were special, to be Sure that writing was your Calling. The book is in itself highly entertaining and valuable for that, but it also provides children with hope and inspiration, and that is indescribably wonderful.
This is a compilation of the first stories and drawings famous illustrators ever wrote and/ or drew. In every story and drawing you can see how authors are just people who liked writing stories and worked hard, and ended up making money by doing it. It's a really neat glimpse into the lives of writers we all adore-- we are often fed interviews with famous actors and actresses, to the point that certain celebrities become household names. And yet, as a child, I never thought about how writers became Writers. I never thought that was a job that was accessible. I thought you had to be special and feel special and know you were special, to be Sure that writing was your Calling. The book is in itself highly entertaining and valuable for that, but it also provides children with hope and inspiration, and that is indescribably wonderful.
July 8, 2017
25 children's authors and illustrators share childhood stories about how they became who and what they are. The memories of writing, drawing and storytelling bring their books to life in new and different ways. I love reading them and look forward to sharing them with my students at the beginning of the year when we are learning about how we are individuals. I look forward to sharing them as examples of personal narratives that highlight just one part of one passion and interest. And I love the idea that writing grows from practice and practice, failure and rejection and practice and practice again.
December 17, 2017
Unquestionably five stars. I loved reading and seeing the early work by some of the greatest children’s book authors and illustrators out there. Reading their versions of how they started out and how they got to where they are now is fascinating! As I’ve been working on illustrating one, and have ideas pouring out of my head on books I want to write and illustrate, this was so motivating and exciting to read. I would have jumped out of my skin, if I knew how to get back in it, when I read that Chris Grabenstein grew up right around where I did in Signal Mountain (Chattanooga area), TN. He is absolutely one of my favorite authors, and I waited anxiously for over a year for his most recent Mr. Lemoncello book to come out, and had it read within two days of its release. This was one of the best books I’ve read this year and one that I will add to my personal collection instead of preventing other patrons from getting much of a chance at reading it because I keep checking it out! A great book to look through if I’m getting frustrated with my own work.
July 11, 2017
I love the idea behind this book and found it to be incredibly inspiring! I loved seeing childhood work samples from some of my favorite authors/illustrators. Would be fun to share with young writers and artists!
The book felt a little unpolished... maybe because of the work samples, or maybe because it was a little "scrap-bookish" in spots. I will admit that I scanned through some is the longer, more difficult to read work samples, favoring the adult narratives. On the other hand, I think the authentic samples are what make this book so special.
I'd love for there to be a volume 2 with more of our favorite authors sharing their personal journeys.
The book felt a little unpolished... maybe because of the work samples, or maybe because it was a little "scrap-bookish" in spots. I will admit that I scanned through some is the longer, more difficult to read work samples, favoring the adult narratives. On the other hand, I think the authentic samples are what make this book so special.
I'd love for there to be a volume 2 with more of our favorite authors sharing their personal journeys.
March 20, 2017
What were some of the most prominent YA authors/illustrators writing in their formative years? That is what Elissa Brent Weissman sets out to find, editing together the thoughts/works of twenty five industry luminaries, including such names as Kwame Alexander, Candace Fleming, Tim Federle, Gail Carson Levins, Grace Lin, Brian Selznick, and Rita Williams.
The sections for each author/illustrator are basically the same format each time: Some thoughts from the person being interviewed, and then a selection of his/her works from childhood, ranging from drawings to poems to short stories.
It was indeed interesting to see how the young lives of these figures helped develop them to get into the book business. Some stories are cute, others are inspirational, and all have at very least a kernel of interesting or thoughtful material.
The problem I had with “Our Story Begins”, however, is that I felt it was laid out somewhat strangely. To me, this seemed like a book that could have used more personal contact with each figure, as talking about childhood is such a personal experience. However, with a couple of exceptions, each figure is given rather short shrift to pontificate on those childhood experiences. Often times, an entire story or comic is presented, and I felt myself glossing over that material, as it isn’t so much the material in this case that is important as it is the concepts behind it. Thus, at times, it felt like reading an index as much as a collective bio. Simply put, I wanted to hear more childhood narratives and see less dry bio info and previous works.
As such, I can give this book a decent rating (it was fun to page through and read the blurbs), but it just felt a bit too index-y to really give it the highest marks. Perhaps if you are intensely interested in these figures it will do more for you, but general-audience may not care quite as much to read/look at material written by such youngsters.
The sections for each author/illustrator are basically the same format each time: Some thoughts from the person being interviewed, and then a selection of his/her works from childhood, ranging from drawings to poems to short stories.
It was indeed interesting to see how the young lives of these figures helped develop them to get into the book business. Some stories are cute, others are inspirational, and all have at very least a kernel of interesting or thoughtful material.
The problem I had with “Our Story Begins”, however, is that I felt it was laid out somewhat strangely. To me, this seemed like a book that could have used more personal contact with each figure, as talking about childhood is such a personal experience. However, with a couple of exceptions, each figure is given rather short shrift to pontificate on those childhood experiences. Often times, an entire story or comic is presented, and I felt myself glossing over that material, as it isn’t so much the material in this case that is important as it is the concepts behind it. Thus, at times, it felt like reading an index as much as a collective bio. Simply put, I wanted to hear more childhood narratives and see less dry bio info and previous works.
As such, I can give this book a decent rating (it was fun to page through and read the blurbs), but it just felt a bit too index-y to really give it the highest marks. Perhaps if you are intensely interested in these figures it will do more for you, but general-audience may not care quite as much to read/look at material written by such youngsters.
November 10, 2017
Full review will be written soon. I can say this is a amazing book! Love it!!
edited to add a full review of this book.
I reciceved this book through a good reads giveaway. I really was drawn to this book because of the subject. When I got it I loved it!! This book will be one of my treasures! This book has 25 children authors and illustrators sharing their childhood stories. The book contains their childhood writings, drawings and such. It such a joy to look through the pages and read each and every one! I really love it!! Wonderful book!!
edited to add a full review of this book.
I reciceved this book through a good reads giveaway. I really was drawn to this book because of the subject. When I got it I loved it!! This book will be one of my treasures! This book has 25 children authors and illustrators sharing their childhood stories. The book contains their childhood writings, drawings and such. It such a joy to look through the pages and read each and every one! I really love it!! Wonderful book!!
October 18, 2017
Not to be missed!
July 19, 2017
Fun to see what children's authors and illustrators were writing when they were children.
Great book to encourage young authors.
Great book to encourage young authors.
July 25, 2017
I would have loved to read this as a child! What an awesome inspiration for all young future authors/illustrators!
September 20, 2017
Review published: https://chronicbibliophilia.wordpress...
As a bibliophile and book blogger, I have a not-surprising weak spot for books about books, especially those that surrender to the madness that is an all-consuming love of reading and surrounding oneself with paper worlds. I have had the good fortune of receiving advance copies of two new releases of this kind recently.
First, let's take a moment with "Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks" by Annie Spence, which I found to be an epistolary gem. With delicious wit and cunning, Spence has written letters - some love, some hate - to books that have impacted her life. Spence is a public librarian and life-long reader, so the scope of the books to which she is exposed and to which she addresses her missives is expansive and extremely smart. There is something in here for everyone. Whether it is her love letter to Roald Dahl's "Matilda" to "tell you how much I loved your dark humor, [and] thank you for making a bookish girl with DIY bangs like me the hero of a story"; her rubber-gloved dismissal of a library copy of "The One-Hour Orgasm"; or her rebellious perusal of "The Fancy Bookshelf at a Party I Wasn't Technically Invited To", the letters in this book had me snorting with laughter and feeling very smug at the 'in' jokes of the bookish.
In her gushing letter to Jeffrey Eugenides' "The Virgin Suicides", Spence goes delightfully gaga and fan girls out, telling the book:
"I love every one of your fucking golden sentences. They are slam-you-shut-and-clutch-you-against-my-chest sublime. ... I love that after I read you, every time, my own everyday movements and the quotidian moments of my life feel more beautiful. ... It's more than that, though, I feel like you get me. Like, get me. I don't feel like you were written for me. I feel like you were written FROM INSIDE OF my psyche."
That's pure, unfiltered and poetic love.
Annie Spence isn't afraid to be dismissive of the pulp that comes across her path, either. In her 'Dear John' letter to Nicholas Sparks' "Dear John", she slays.
"It sounds kind of obvious to say this because you're a book, but I want to be moved by your words. In the prologue you say, 'Our story has three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end.' No shit, John. That's how that works. Give me something that I've never heard. Describe something I'm familiar with but never thought of as beautiful before. Or at least throw in some more equestrian scenes.
Anyway, not to beat an underutilized horse, but I'm donating you to my doctor's office. I don't know what I'm going to make up to say to my relative when she asks if I read you. I'm just guessing, given your author, that one character turns out to be an angel? I'm gonna hedge my bets and lead with that at the Christmas party."
Two thirds of "Dear Fahrenheit 451" is made up of such letters, which are true to the book's premise and singly and collectively endearing. The final third of the book consists of recommendations and some inventive reading lists. Now, I love a good list, but this section feels like filler. It neither kept my attention nor maintained the witty repartee that made the rest of the book such a success. I wish Spence and her editors had simply been satisfied with leaving well enough alone without tacking on this incongruous, appendix-like section. In spite of that small criticism, however, I thought this book was a brilliant concept that was brilliantly executed. I felt immediately compelled to press my copy into the hands of my local librarians to share my joy.
In a very different concept, Elissa Brent Weissman has brought together a collection of some 25 children's book authors and illustrators in "Our Story Begins". Alongside very short memoirs focused on 'how I realized I needed to make children's books' appear childhood writings and illustrations that warm the heart and inspire. This collection not only features creators of children's books, it is targeted towards children's literature readers. That is, it is meant for children, for future authors and illustrators. The artists in these pages share their experience and their wisdom, allow for the fact that we all have to start somewhere and for the possibility that not everything we create has to be gold, and remind us that sometimes childhood dreams become dream jobs. They are normalizing the creative process, offering tips and tricks of the trade, and encouraging kids to follow their passion.
Tom Angleberger opens up the door to the editorial process:
"Whether you're talking or writing, you can't just blah blah blah all the time. You've got to think about who is listening and figure out how to keep them listening and how to make what you're saying sensible to them."
Eric Rohmann beautifully incapsulates the creative process:
"I have always made pictures. I drew what was around me, what I liked, and what I cared about. Drawing was how I found my way in the world. That's because drawing requires looking closely, so closely that you begin to see details you'd never see in a glance. You begin to see variations in color and shadow. You begin to see patterns and connections. But as I drew more and more, I discovered something else. Drawing isn't just about seeing. It's about feeling. A picture is not just a description, but a doorway into my thoughts and emotions."
This passage, at least in my mind, translates for visual arts AND writing, pinpointing why creating and consuming books can be such an emotional, formative experience. "Our Story Begins" is for the creator in all of us. In picture book form, it is warm and welcoming to children of all ages and gives hope for the untold masterpieces that are yet to come.
"'Books erase bias, they make the uncommon everyday, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal.'" - Grace Lin
Thank you to Flatiron Books for providing a complimentary advance copy of "Dear Fahrenheit 451" (published in the US on 9/26/17) and to Simon & Schuster: Atheneum Books for Young Readers for "Our Story Begins" (published in the on US 7/4/17).
As a bibliophile and book blogger, I have a not-surprising weak spot for books about books, especially those that surrender to the madness that is an all-consuming love of reading and surrounding oneself with paper worlds. I have had the good fortune of receiving advance copies of two new releases of this kind recently.
First, let's take a moment with "Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks" by Annie Spence, which I found to be an epistolary gem. With delicious wit and cunning, Spence has written letters - some love, some hate - to books that have impacted her life. Spence is a public librarian and life-long reader, so the scope of the books to which she is exposed and to which she addresses her missives is expansive and extremely smart. There is something in here for everyone. Whether it is her love letter to Roald Dahl's "Matilda" to "tell you how much I loved your dark humor, [and] thank you for making a bookish girl with DIY bangs like me the hero of a story"; her rubber-gloved dismissal of a library copy of "The One-Hour Orgasm"; or her rebellious perusal of "The Fancy Bookshelf at a Party I Wasn't Technically Invited To", the letters in this book had me snorting with laughter and feeling very smug at the 'in' jokes of the bookish.
In her gushing letter to Jeffrey Eugenides' "The Virgin Suicides", Spence goes delightfully gaga and fan girls out, telling the book:
"I love every one of your fucking golden sentences. They are slam-you-shut-and-clutch-you-against-my-chest sublime. ... I love that after I read you, every time, my own everyday movements and the quotidian moments of my life feel more beautiful. ... It's more than that, though, I feel like you get me. Like, get me. I don't feel like you were written for me. I feel like you were written FROM INSIDE OF my psyche."
That's pure, unfiltered and poetic love.
Annie Spence isn't afraid to be dismissive of the pulp that comes across her path, either. In her 'Dear John' letter to Nicholas Sparks' "Dear John", she slays.
"It sounds kind of obvious to say this because you're a book, but I want to be moved by your words. In the prologue you say, 'Our story has three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end.' No shit, John. That's how that works. Give me something that I've never heard. Describe something I'm familiar with but never thought of as beautiful before. Or at least throw in some more equestrian scenes.
Anyway, not to beat an underutilized horse, but I'm donating you to my doctor's office. I don't know what I'm going to make up to say to my relative when she asks if I read you. I'm just guessing, given your author, that one character turns out to be an angel? I'm gonna hedge my bets and lead with that at the Christmas party."
Two thirds of "Dear Fahrenheit 451" is made up of such letters, which are true to the book's premise and singly and collectively endearing. The final third of the book consists of recommendations and some inventive reading lists. Now, I love a good list, but this section feels like filler. It neither kept my attention nor maintained the witty repartee that made the rest of the book such a success. I wish Spence and her editors had simply been satisfied with leaving well enough alone without tacking on this incongruous, appendix-like section. In spite of that small criticism, however, I thought this book was a brilliant concept that was brilliantly executed. I felt immediately compelled to press my copy into the hands of my local librarians to share my joy.
In a very different concept, Elissa Brent Weissman has brought together a collection of some 25 children's book authors and illustrators in "Our Story Begins". Alongside very short memoirs focused on 'how I realized I needed to make children's books' appear childhood writings and illustrations that warm the heart and inspire. This collection not only features creators of children's books, it is targeted towards children's literature readers. That is, it is meant for children, for future authors and illustrators. The artists in these pages share their experience and their wisdom, allow for the fact that we all have to start somewhere and for the possibility that not everything we create has to be gold, and remind us that sometimes childhood dreams become dream jobs. They are normalizing the creative process, offering tips and tricks of the trade, and encouraging kids to follow their passion.
Tom Angleberger opens up the door to the editorial process:
"Whether you're talking or writing, you can't just blah blah blah all the time. You've got to think about who is listening and figure out how to keep them listening and how to make what you're saying sensible to them."
Eric Rohmann beautifully incapsulates the creative process:
"I have always made pictures. I drew what was around me, what I liked, and what I cared about. Drawing was how I found my way in the world. That's because drawing requires looking closely, so closely that you begin to see details you'd never see in a glance. You begin to see variations in color and shadow. You begin to see patterns and connections. But as I drew more and more, I discovered something else. Drawing isn't just about seeing. It's about feeling. A picture is not just a description, but a doorway into my thoughts and emotions."
This passage, at least in my mind, translates for visual arts AND writing, pinpointing why creating and consuming books can be such an emotional, formative experience. "Our Story Begins" is for the creator in all of us. In picture book form, it is warm and welcoming to children of all ages and gives hope for the untold masterpieces that are yet to come.
"'Books erase bias, they make the uncommon everyday, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal.'" - Grace Lin
Thank you to Flatiron Books for providing a complimentary advance copy of "Dear Fahrenheit 451" (published in the US on 9/26/17) and to Simon & Schuster: Atheneum Books for Young Readers for "Our Story Begins" (published in the on US 7/4/17).
July 26, 2018
Twenty-six authors and illustrators share their experiences about how they started their writing or drawing careers. The book includes some of the very first stories and illustrations by Gordon Korman, Grace Lin, Jarrett Krosoczka, and many more. Readers will get to read about some of their favorite authors and illustrators and learn about how to start writing and drawing their own books.
Recommended for grades K-8. Lexile Level: 930
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Recommended for grades K-8. Lexile Level: 930
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
July 24, 2024
This is a great way for young people to be inspired to create! The various submissions by different well known authors and artists about their first attempts to create books or art are very real. Great fun, too!
April 9, 2019
Aspiring writers of any age will find the stories of how some children's authors got their start inspiring.
November 25, 2017
Rated 4 1/2 stars
Ages 11+
Ages 11+
June 26, 2018
What a great book for kids who want to be writers to see what published writers were doing as kids. Not a reading book so much as a browsing book.
January 29, 2018
I have a daughter who loves to write. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she showed me a story she is writing. She keeps it on her Google Drive and adds to it whenever she can. Who knows? Maybe she will be written about in a book like this someday! If anything, this book will inspire her to keep writing!
Some famous children's authors and illustrators have shared how they started out writing, drawing, and dreaming in OUR STORY BEGINS. This collection of short essays features 26 authors and illustrators sharing stories from their own childhoods. They dreamed of writing or being artists and their dreams have come true. Actual scanned images of pages from their notebooks, typewritten pages, and sketches fill the pages along with their childhood dreams. Not all of the authors were known to me, but their books were. My favorites included R.J. Palacio, the author of WONDER, who had parents that supported her dreams. Palacio had a great love of horses and her first published work was a poem titled "Winged Steed" during third grade in the school newspaper. Kwame Alexander's poem he wrote to his mom for Mother's Day is still framed on her wall. I loved how Weissman met author Gordon Korman at age 11. She wanted to be like him because he published his first book at thirteen. Now they are together in this book, sharing their stories of growing up.
These authors and illustrators are just like every other kid who feels vulnerable, left out at times, and has a dream...a dream of telling stories or creating pictures that tell a story. Each of them began their dreams as a child and through perseverance, luck, hard work, and true talent, their dreams have come true. I loved all the scanned images of the authors' and illustrators' real work as a child. I think these images make it so much more real for kids to dream big. They can physically see the silly stories these published authors were putting on paper as young kids. There are even childhood photos of the authors at the beginning of the chapters. Then each chapter closes with the accomplishments of the author or illustrator. This book is full of inspiration for your future writer or artist. I hope it inspires our daughter to keep writing!
Some famous children's authors and illustrators have shared how they started out writing, drawing, and dreaming in OUR STORY BEGINS. This collection of short essays features 26 authors and illustrators sharing stories from their own childhoods. They dreamed of writing or being artists and their dreams have come true. Actual scanned images of pages from their notebooks, typewritten pages, and sketches fill the pages along with their childhood dreams. Not all of the authors were known to me, but their books were. My favorites included R.J. Palacio, the author of WONDER, who had parents that supported her dreams. Palacio had a great love of horses and her first published work was a poem titled "Winged Steed" during third grade in the school newspaper. Kwame Alexander's poem he wrote to his mom for Mother's Day is still framed on her wall. I loved how Weissman met author Gordon Korman at age 11. She wanted to be like him because he published his first book at thirteen. Now they are together in this book, sharing their stories of growing up.
These authors and illustrators are just like every other kid who feels vulnerable, left out at times, and has a dream...a dream of telling stories or creating pictures that tell a story. Each of them began their dreams as a child and through perseverance, luck, hard work, and true talent, their dreams have come true. I loved all the scanned images of the authors' and illustrators' real work as a child. I think these images make it so much more real for kids to dream big. They can physically see the silly stories these published authors were putting on paper as young kids. There are even childhood photos of the authors at the beginning of the chapters. Then each chapter closes with the accomplishments of the author or illustrator. This book is full of inspiration for your future writer or artist. I hope it inspires our daughter to keep writing!
November 2, 2017
This is a wonderful book for aspiring writers and illustrators. The artists show their earliest works and their talent is amazing. It is interesting to see at what ages they got started and whether success came easily or not. It offers a glimpse at their early lives and interests and makes them seem that much more human.
June 3, 2018
This was brilliant! I loved seeing these amazing authors and illustrators having different kinds of childhoods. Yuyi Morales' story broke my heart. Tom Angleberger's encyclopedia writing fixed it back together!
August 22, 2017
**Thank you to Wunderkind PR for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Our Story Begins is a collection of stories from well-known authors and illustrators of children’s fiction. They include Kwame Alexander, R.J. Palacio, Candace Fleming, Gail Carson Levins, Grace Lin, Brian Selznick, and many more.
The sections for each of the 26 authors / illustrators follow the same format. They give you insight into how, when or why they started writing or drawing, followed up by an example of their early work. The examples range from poems to short stories and drawings.
As an aspiring author, I found this book very interesting and inspiring. It also gave me hope because the journey of many of these authors and illustrators has been long and difficult, but they’ve succeeded nonetheless. If anything, I’ve learnt to work hard(er) and to never give up.
My favourite story is that of Dan Santat, who was inspired to draw after seeing Norman Rockwell’s work.
Having said that, this is a great read for anyone in the creative business. And even if you aren’t, I would still recommend giving it a read. After all, who doesn’t love a few good success and childhood stories?
Our Story Begins is a collection of stories from well-known authors and illustrators of children’s fiction. They include Kwame Alexander, R.J. Palacio, Candace Fleming, Gail Carson Levins, Grace Lin, Brian Selznick, and many more.
The sections for each of the 26 authors / illustrators follow the same format. They give you insight into how, when or why they started writing or drawing, followed up by an example of their early work. The examples range from poems to short stories and drawings.
As an aspiring author, I found this book very interesting and inspiring. It also gave me hope because the journey of many of these authors and illustrators has been long and difficult, but they’ve succeeded nonetheless. If anything, I’ve learnt to work hard(er) and to never give up.
My favourite story is that of Dan Santat, who was inspired to draw after seeing Norman Rockwell’s work.
Norman Rockwell was old. My five-year-old judgment of age concluded that he was probably a thousand years old. I remembered how, earlier that evening, my dad had mentioned that Norman Rockwell had painted for years to become that good.The only slight problem I have with “Our Story Begins” is that some of the stories are rather short. For some, I would’ve liked to read more about their lives and their reflections on their childhood and seen less material.
NORMAN ROCKWELL HAD A THOUSAND YEARS OF PRACTICE ON ME.
And I was only five.
So I began to draw.
Having said that, this is a great read for anyone in the creative business. And even if you aren’t, I would still recommend giving it a read. After all, who doesn’t love a few good success and childhood stories?
October 28, 2017
Quick read. Many authors in this book have been life-long writers so it is natural that they are now published as adults.
August 9, 2017
Logan’s Review:
5 out of 5 stars
I really liked this book. Some of the stories were really funny. The stories were entertaining and kept my attention so I was able to finish reading in just a couple hours. My favorite story was Marla Frazee’s where she was talking about John always dropping stuff. In Dan Santat’s story, I liked when he was talking about how even though he couldn’t draw very well, he never gave up. That teaches you to keep trying no matter what. I thought it was awesome that Jarrett J. Krosoczka finished his story when he was in the third grade at age 8.
I like the pictures that were included of each author when they were little and the drawings and things that they did. It was really cool to see all of those.
Chris’ Review:
5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed looking at all of the pictures that the authors drew when they were little. That was pretty neat and some of the pictures were really unique. The different stories were pretty funny. My favorite one was by Yuyi Morales.
Everyone’s story was so different and interesting so I never got bored while reading this book. It was entertaining.
*Chris and Logan were provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review belong to Chris and Logan.
5 out of 5 stars
I really liked this book. Some of the stories were really funny. The stories were entertaining and kept my attention so I was able to finish reading in just a couple hours. My favorite story was Marla Frazee’s where she was talking about John always dropping stuff. In Dan Santat’s story, I liked when he was talking about how even though he couldn’t draw very well, he never gave up. That teaches you to keep trying no matter what. I thought it was awesome that Jarrett J. Krosoczka finished his story when he was in the third grade at age 8.
I like the pictures that were included of each author when they were little and the drawings and things that they did. It was really cool to see all of those.
Chris’ Review:
5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed looking at all of the pictures that the authors drew when they were little. That was pretty neat and some of the pictures were really unique. The different stories were pretty funny. My favorite one was by Yuyi Morales.
Everyone’s story was so different and interesting so I never got bored while reading this book. It was entertaining.
*Chris and Logan were provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review belong to Chris and Logan.
January 3, 2018
“Everyone’s story begins somewhere.” Authors are inherently able to reminisce about that moment when they felt the power of story start to change their lives. Sometimes it was through the received recognition or struggle or heartache that the seeds to their future careers began. Join Elissa Brent Weissman as she collects individual memories and samples from 26 authors and illustrators and revel in their variety, inspiration, and child-like gifts of bringing stories to life. Kwame Alexander shares a poem he wrote for his mom; several authors (R.J. Palacio and Kathi Appelt among them) share their love of horses and unicorns; Alex Gino shares a sci-fi short story; and Brian Selznick shares some early drawing tips. The selections show diversity of age, geography, and heritage, which provides both windows and mirrors for young readers. Plus, children will have that inspiring and relatable notion that indeed, authors were once kids too!
THOUGHTS: The insights that budding writers’ will gain from this collection cannot be measured. Seeing the editing process and imperfect samples from famous folks allows for many writing mini-lessons. Showing the variety of writing works and styles also gives classes a chance to compare and discuss. Plus, the artwork will inspire doodlers and illustrators alike to grab a pencil or paintbrush and get creating!
THOUGHTS: The insights that budding writers’ will gain from this collection cannot be measured. Seeing the editing process and imperfect samples from famous folks allows for many writing mini-lessons. Showing the variety of writing works and styles also gives classes a chance to compare and discuss. Plus, the artwork will inspire doodlers and illustrators alike to grab a pencil or paintbrush and get creating!
October 23, 2017
I love books in which authors talk about their writing. This one was especially cool: children's book authors showcasing their own youthful writing and artwork. It confirmed for me that Brian Selznik has always been extremely gifted...his crosshatching style is one that he has been using since he was a child!
October 15, 2017
The subtitle explains what this book is about. I would have given the book 5 stars except that several entries of pictures of what the authors wrote as kids were difficult to read as the copies of their works was too light for the reader to decipher. In addition, the book is made with shiny pages which would create a glare when one is reading under lamp light.
The editor/compiler shared 25 authors including herself. I was not familiar with any of them and originally thought that this would make the book less interesting, but it didn't. Instead, in many instances because of what I learned about them--their writing past and present--it made me want to read some of their current books.
The editor/compiler shared 25 authors including herself. I was not familiar with any of them and originally thought that this would make the book less interesting, but it didn't. Instead, in many instances because of what I learned about them--their writing past and present--it made me want to read some of their current books.
April 8, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book and concept. I love reading about illustrators who do some amazing drawings and also provide a story to go with them. I am always impress on how they have the skill and desire to be so creative at a young age. Some of the original written stories are old, faded and small letters. They are very hard to read even with a magnify glass. Even with the old paper work I believe you could have enlarged the text to make them more readable. A book worth having on my coffee table as a conversational piece when people visit.
September 14, 2017
This was a quick non fiction read about authors and illustrators and their first works. I was looking for more info about their childhoods and growing up, but the some of the artwork these young souls have created is amazing. I love how some of the works that they created were saved by family members, and that quite a few can name the person that helped them become the author or illustrator they are today.
March 19, 2018
This is a fun children’s book profiling some authors and illustrators and how they got their start. It is told in each author’s or illustrator’s own words, and often includes samples of their early work. I love this because I recently found a lot of my old work and it’s delightfully embarrassing. I love getting a glimpse of all of that from established authors and illustrators to help encourage me! Hey, it could happen!
December 29, 2017
A great book to see how many of our favorite authors and illustrators were developing their passion as children/teens. My favorite part was seeing the actual artwork and/or writing for each of the 26 people as children. I hope this would inspire other children interested in the juvenile publishing industry to see that we start somewhere in developing our talents.
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