A Book for Kids With A Big Imagination: A Unicorn Ate My Homework
Lindy Loom sees stories everywhere!
She sees stories about:
- anteaters at a juice bar
- bats on paper airplanes
- capybaras in hammocks
- even insecure porcupines
However, her teacher doesn’t ever see stories.
Will Lindy be able to help Ms. Pinch find her imagination before it’s too late?
Is your child a dreamer? A creator? A visionary? Do they have big imaginations? A great friend of mine once told me that she is never bored because she always has so much going on in her head, and would you know it? Shes pretty imaginative, and her ability to think up new ideas has led her to contribute meaningful, inspiring work to the world. After all, she has become a best selling children’s book author.
But the unfortunate thing for imaginative children is that they frequently hear comments like, “Come back to earth.” “Stop dreaming and get to work.” “Quit wasting time.” Surely, sometimes children with big imaginations need a push, but they often don’t always get the chance to use and develop their imaginations in ways valued by people around them.
Fortunately for parents, books like A Unicorn Ate My Homework by Julia Inserro, a book for kids with a big imagination will help you nurture your little dreamers and show them that it’s okay to have a childhood full of imagination and magic.
In A Unicorn Ate My Homework, Ms. Pinch’s classroom is pretty strict. Lindy stands out like dreamers often do. Inspired by her joy and rich imagination, she tells all kinds of stories. She tells silly stories, sad stories, and scary stories. However, Ms. Pinch does not love Lindy’s stories as everyone else does. Yet sweet Lindy carries on with her big imagination. Readers follow Lindy as she helps Ms. Pinch rediscover her long-lost imagination and learns to put her imagination to good use.
Inserro uses her book to help teach readers the importance of having the freedom to imagine and not take it for granted. It’s the secret source of magic in a child’s life. Imagination gives a spark of excitement that can help children pursue the things they love and give their life meaning. And it’s something we should fight for.
A Unicorn Ate My Homework by Julia Inserro is a great children’s book for our little ones and is a wonderful reminder to us all (parents, teachers, grandparents) that we have the honor of nourishing our children’s imaginations and their hearts.
Where Can I Find "A Unicorn Ate My Homework?"
Other Books By Julia Inserro
About the Author, Julia Inserro
“I’m a mother of multiples (had three under three for a while), wife, expat, writer, photographer, ethical vegetarian, and spider-saver. I can be convinced to go practically anywhere there is wildlife to view or back alleys to explore.
Almost six months to the day after our wedding, my husband and I were on a plane with two cats heading to our new life in Cairo, Egypt. I will admit there were a lot of tears on that flight; I’d given up my career, my home, my friends, my family, and all semblance of life as I knew it to follow this crazy, lovable man to what felt like the ends of the earth.
And in essence, they were the ends of the earth as I knew it. But it was fabulous and eye-opening and expansive in only a way an expat can experience. And it was the first of many leaps of faith I would be taking; frankly, I’m surprised I haven’t strained anything.
Since that fateful flight, we have lived in five countries (America, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain). We have had nine cats (and lost five of them to old age). We have visited at least nine other countries (I’m sure I’m forgetting some, and they don’t count if we didn’t leave the airport). And most importantly, we have gained three children.
It’s been a bit busy.
But through it all, and when I have time and brain-power of late, I still love writing. I now have to squeeze it in between tantrums, nose wipings, artwork admirations, and storytime. But when I can make the squeeze, and when my brain cooperates, I love to pour out my musings as an expat-parent-explorer-observer on my blog.”
Rapid Fire with Julia Inserro
Q. What type of books do you write?
Julia: I write children’s books. I have three children, ages 7, 5, and 5, so I’m reading picture books and chapter books every day. Admittedly I have always loved picture books, even before I became a parent, but now they are a constant in our lives. I might like to write chapter books and maybe even novels in the future, but for now I’m very happy in the picture book world.
Q. What inspires you as a writer?
Julia: My kids are my #1 inspiration for all of my books. Things they say or do plant a seed, and I can feel it wiggling around trying to take root. Sometimes I’ll share my ideas with my kids, or now they’ll even say, “Hey, are you going to write about this?” I have tons of drafts waiting to be revised. Some make it, and some don’t.
Q. What does your family think of your writing?
Julia: My family is tremendously supportive. My husband was the one who believed in my first book more than I did. He pushed me to get it out there. And ever since, he’s been my #1 fan, well, maybe in the top 4. My three kids are extremely excited with every book I publish.
I make a point of making sure they are represented in the characters, and I ask them about character designs when the illustrator and I are starting. I share the drafts with them. They don’t really realize how long it can take to get a book published, so I get a lot of, “Can I read it yet?” questions. But once it’s out, they want to hand out copies to all their friends and teachers. I love their excitement and support.
Q. What was the most surprising thing you learned about creating books?
Julia: I’m still learning. It’s amazing, but with each book I’ve published (and I’m working on my sixth one now), I keep learning more and more. And it’s with every facet of the process. I’m always refining my writing. I’m honing my graphic design and layout skills. I’m working on marketing tactics. It’s a constant learning process. The only thing that has not evolved through this whole time is my illustration talent, that remains nil. And for that reason, I am forever indebted to these amazingly skilled and talented artists that I happily surround myself with.
Q. What advice do you have for writers?
Julia: There are two points I like to make to people who ask me how they can become a writer.
1. Write. You can’t revise and refine something that doesn’t exist. So, put it down on paper, whatever it is, however rough it is, in whatever condition is it. Just get it down.
2. Edit. You must must must hire professional editors for anything you want to publish. It’s your credibility as an author, as an artist, as a business person, to put your best work forward. Reading a book that has typos or mistakes throughout tells me that the author didn’t care enough to do their best, so why should I waste my time reading it, let alone purchasing it.
Q. What does your creative process look like?
Julia: It’s funny, my three kids are the inspiration for everything I write. But they’re also the biggest impediment I have to the writing process. After I drop my two littles off at nursery school, I have found great inspiration just sitting in my 12-year-old minivan. Sometimes I sit in the school parking lot.
Other times I go to the beach parking lot behind the school (we currently live in Bahrain). Many of my books have been written in that parking lot – it has sentimental value now. I need peace and quiet to get the thoughts out and refine the words. And as a parent of three littles, I grab these tiny moments whenever I can and cram in as much writing as possible.
Q. What do you love most about being an Author?
Julia: I have found that I love all the processes of publishing. I first love the writing process, where I get an idea, I run with it, and then finally when it all comes together in that perfect click. I tend to think of titles first, then write the book. I know when a story isn’t right yet – it’s such a gut feeling. But boy, when it comes together, it’s fabulous!
Pairing up with a talented and excited illustrator is an exciting milestone, too. Passing off my manuscript and letting them bring it to life and put their own spin on it is such a magical time. I give my illustrators some general ideas and directions, but I love seeing what they bring to the creation. I try to work collaboratively with all my illustrators. This is a team project.
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All in all, my family and I have really enjoyed this book and we know you will too! Please feel free to leave me any comments or questions about this review. I look forward to hearing from you!
* This book was kindly sent to me by Author, Julia Inserro in exchange for an honest review.
