Who’s Writing This Story?! by Robin Newman – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Who’s Writing This Story?!

Robin Newman, Author

Deborah Zemke, Illustrator

Creston Books, May 7, 2024

Suitable for ages: 7-11

Themes: Animals, Author, Storytelling, Fractured Fairy Tale

Opening:  “Once upon a time there were three little pigs. The first pig, who wasn’t very smart, quickly built her house out of straw.  ‘Wait one piggly-wiggly minute! Who’s writing this story?’ asked the first pig.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Who’s the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together?

Follow the three little pigs as they argue with the writer over what kind of story to tell. Will the hero become the villain? Find out in this fun introduction to the essential components all great stories need.

Why I like this story: 

Robin Newman has written a hilarious story about an author who goes to battle with her characters.  The story gets out of hand when the characters don’t like how the author is portraying them. They attempt to take over her story, which is based on a popular fairy tale  Newman is well-known for her clever word play and storytelling. Educators will find Who’s Writing This Story?! a wonderful tool  in teaching students about the elements of writing a book or in storytelling.

Deborah Zemke’s illustrations are colorful, expressive and lively. They beautifully support the storytelling and kids will laugh-out-loud as they study each page.

Resources: This is also a book parents will want to use to engage their kids in storytelling.  Encourage kids to create a story that involve all of the writing elements for a good picture book. Have them make their own book and draw their characters and include the elements Newman mentions. This could also be a great bedtime story activity. 

Robin Newman was raised in New York and Paris. She was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks. She is the author of  Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt! and the Wilcox and Griswold Mysteries.  She lives in New York with her husband, son, and English Cocker Spaniel.

Deborah Zemke put words and pictures together in unexpected and lively ways. The author and/or illustrator of more than 50 children’s books and a frequent contributor to Ranger Rick magazine, she divides her time between Columbia, MO and Chiccago, IL.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review.