Fun With My ABCs

Have you ever tried to write an ABC book? I did once when I was doing children's stories and it was very difficult. I tried to rhyme verses and just couldn't get very far into the alphabet so I gave up the idea.

I bought my grandson Ty a very cute pop-up ABC book called Alpha Bugs by David A. Carter. He loves it. He is just under two and is very careful not to tear off the pop-ups.

This must have been in my head because one night when I couldn't sleep the first line of an alphabet book came to me. I went on and pretty soon, I had most of the letters. I kept coming back to the vowels which were giving me trouble. Finally I had all but X, and Z. (I was told that to see if you have a good idea for an ABC book, give it the QXZ test. Those are supposed to be the hardest letters to use.) Well, in my book, I got what I thought was a cute Q idea, but X and Z weren't there. I knew that if I left if go for awhile, I'd get some ideas so after that decision, I finally went to sleep.

Later the next day, I decided to try an idea I had and looked up X in the dictionary. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I did get a great word that I thought was a clever choice. Then I just looked at the Z list and I found something that fit and worked in with the story line and I was done. Now, all I have to do is decide if I want to try to do some rhyming verses or just let it be simple and say the letter and what it is. I might try to finish this project and send it to a picture book editor. I have ideas for the illustrations, though I don't draw well enough to do them myself.

Someday when you can't sleep, try an ABC book. You will either get so bored you fall asleep, or you will have a great little idea. Just don't forget to give it the QXZ test.