Sleeping Bear Press | 978-1534111486

I first heard about Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s upcoming debut, BRAINSTORM, illustrated by Kate Kronreif about a year ago, and knew right away it was a book I would love. It’s both poetry and inspiration, a book that “sees” into the writing process, the perfect mix of creative spark and enthusiasm to help kids discover their own words of story and possibility.

At one time or another every class has at least a few kids who insist they “don’t know what to write about.” Rebecca taps into this moment in her story’s opening:

“Teacher says it’s time to write. UGH! I clench my pencil tight.
I peek outside –
it’s gloomy, gray.

Cloudy.

Like my brain today.

I think
and think…
but nothing’s there.

I slump.
I sulk.
I sigh.
I stare…

But then…

KER-PLINK!

I feel a drop…”

And isn’t that how exactly how much of our writing begins? With a measure of uncertainty, waiting for the first words and thoughts to drop, trusting that they will?

BRAINSTORM embraces the waiting/writing process just as it is, knowing that soon enough, words come, in drips and drops until we see “a flood of possibility.”

It’s the perfect book for classroom teachers!

***

Additional Resources to accompany Brainstorm:

• Teacher’s Guide
• Activity Pages
• Learn more about Rebecca’s publication journey HERE.

Pair this book with other picture books about writing:

• How To Write a Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel
• Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies by Carmen Oliver, illustrated by Jean Claude
• Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon