What I Learned from Gregory the Terrible Eater
I love to read picture books. They’re like little bits of magic. Great stories are full of purpose, interest, and usually have some insight on life. This is the case with Gregory the Terrible Eater.
As a youth services director, I’m always looking for great books that engage kids. Gregory the Terrible Eater is a story that has stood the test of time with young ones, and I learned a few inventive writing strategies when I revisited the classic this week.
So, what makes Gregory special?
Author Mitchell Sharmat meets us at one of the most iconic places of the home: the dinner table. As the title suggests, Gregory is a picky eater, but not in the usual way. Because he is a goat, the foods he’s expected to eat aren’t exactly appetizing to people – and what he really wants to eat are foods many “picky-eaters” shy away from.
Writing stories is one of my favorite things to do. So, I guess it makes sense I pay attention to what other authors are doing to have fun and be creative with their wonderful stories. Here are some thoughts for writers to bring new, inventive ideas to your stories:
- Take what’s “normal” and turn it upside down.
- Let your characters be flawed in some way. Nobody’s perfect.
- Compromise can be a key to a happy ending.
If you haven’t read this story, I highly recommend reading it and sharing it with a kid – picky eater or not! Good books bring a new perspective to our lives and give us something to chew on for awhile.
And if you’re a good goat like Gregory – it might be a tin can by the end of the story.
Until next time,
Invent Your Story
If you liked this post, you can read more of my thoughts on writing picture books at 3 Things Every Picture Book Writer Needs to Know.
