The Storytellers Rule: A Sweet Picture Book About Writing Ideas and Inspiration for Kids

by Christy Mandin

From the author-illustrator of Lucky, Christy Mandin, comes a humorous and charming picture book starring a group of exuberant writing supplies who help a young girl suffering from a creative block to finish her perfect story. 

Birdie usually has no problem creating masterpieces. But today her perfect story just won't manifest itself.

But no fear, the Storytellers are here!

In this hilarious and sweet picture book, a young child's pens, pencils, and markers are for more than just jotting down ideas. They inspire and spark wonder.

Perfect for fans of The Day The Crayons Quit, the humorous text of The Storytellers Rule has a lot of room for silly voices during story time. This book is a celebration of making something just for the sake of it and reminds kids to always begin with wonder.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2023

Reviews

[Danette Byatt]

Wow, I'm an adult and I SO needed this book! What a charming and cute story about supplies who help out the creator when she's in the middle of writer's block. I love the 3 simple "rules" that they give for creating. It's very practical but at the same time fun! A nice reminder for me too, as we all forget sometimes what sparks our creativity and feel a little stuck. I'm clearly a big kid myself though because the spread with the farting dog made me laugh so hard! I wholeheartedly recommend this one as we all need a little inspiration.

[Mary]

Birdie has been under stress with a new school, baby brother and homework. As a result, she hasn't been writing and that stresses her out even more. Her office supplies come up with a plan to provide inspiration and it works. Birdie begins writing a story about a kid with a big imagination and a magic pencil. An entertaining picture book that will be useful in reviewing brainstorming and the writing process. Readers who enjoy metafiction can add this to their reading list.

[Pam]

The writing supplies gather to talk about Birdie as she has lost her creative spark. They review their rules and come up with an idea to help her. She is inspired to write down ideas, words, etc. but still can't think of a way to connect them and create a story. Finally, the pencil breaks the rules and directly offers her a thought - What if." This sparks her ideas and Birdie is back to writing and being creative. Love the illustrations.

[Audrey]

We like the pencil, pen, ruler characters. The rules are ones we all need
Pay attention
Done is better than perfect
Only YOU can tell your story
My favorite scene is when she goes exploring and fills up her idea jar
We wanted it to be a little bit funnier

[Edward Sullivan]

A charming, funny story about a a young girl's pens, pencils, and markers helping to inspire and spark her imagination.

[LS Johnson]

another versatile picture book; great for writing prompts and the writing process.

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Fun classroom resource for talking to kids about the writing process.

[Heydi Smith]

A cute book about overcoming writer' block for school. Very cute writing tools.

[Sarah]

When elementary student Birdie gets writer’s block, her school supplies know just how to help her break through it in this sweet, humorous story that teaches children how to rejuvenate their creativity.

The book’s scenes progress naturally from one double-page spread to the next, while cartoony digital art makes it feel a bit like an animated short.

Highly recommended for PreK-3rd grade. A perfect fit for the early-to-mid-elementary classroom.

Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southeast Ohio Young Adult Media Group.