Hey, picture book authors, do you hope to one day write a Christmas story? I know I do. That’s why I’m super excited to welcome multi-published children’s book author Robin Currie to Frog on a Blog! Robin’s sweet picture book Just Enough Room for Christmas officially launched yesterday. And Robin stopped by today to share “easy steps to writing a holiday picture book.” Let’s hear from Robin!
How to Christmas
by Robin Currie
Ever since the Grinch stole into our holidays in 1957, authors have been spinning the “How xxx Christmas” tales. Take an unlikely hero and save the day! It’s holiday magic!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss (Random House)
Unicorn and the Rainbow Poop Save Christmas by Emma Adams (Scholastic)
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A First for Gus by Sherry Roberts (Lee Press)
The Tinysaurs Save Christmas by Patricia Hegarty (Tiger Tales)
Little Bird Finds Christmas by Marianne Richmond (Jabberwocky)
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith (Silver Dolphin)
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares (Candlewick)
Elbow Grease Saves Christmas by John Cena (Random House)
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith (Silver Dolphin)
How the Villains Ruined Christmas by Serena Valentino (Disney Press)
How the Crayons Saved Christmas by Monica Sweeney (Sky Pony)
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin (Scholastic)
So how do we get our “How to xxx Christmas” books on the publishers’ lists?
WHERE?
Snow is not always in the weather forecast for December 25! Our northern hemisphere Christmas visions are based on European traditions, but Christmas comes worldwide and through time.
- Thailand
- South Africa
- Australia
- Underwater
- The far future
- Prehistoric times
How does the change in location impact how Santa dresses, who pulls the sleigh, and what they eat for Christmas dinner?
WHO?
Christmas-saving protagonists are unlikely but possess a unique talent.
- Wombats dig deep tunnels.
- Prairie dogs communicate and do “The Wave.”
- Plumed Basilisks walk on top of the water.
- Dung beetles roll up to 10 times their weight.
- Hummingbirds fly backward.
- Bats use sounds to guide them in the dark.
WHAT?
Our spunky protagonists need an insurmountable obstacle to overcome!
- Blizzard
- Air pollution
- Monsoon
- Living in a new place
- Monsters
- People who don’t believe in Santa!
AND A TWIST…
We need to know enough about the one who saves Christmas to care about the struggle and cheer for victory.
Has the protagonist been an outcast from the group, mocked for his size or lack of ability?
Does our protagonist display courage, compassion, or creativity? Will there be unlikely helpers or encouragers along the way?
What obstacles will cause failure (usually 2 times) and then be overcome by the unique skill?
Then a sprinkle of Santa’s magic and we take flight!
PS: Do let me know if you manage “How Dung Beetle Saved Christmas in South Africa!”
Robin Currie spent her library career in the children’s department, where she could baa, moo, and honk without getting shushed. Her writing engages children not only in noisemaking but jumping, waving, and face making. So do her sermons.
Despite her incessant need to wiggle, Robin earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science and worked in public libraries before answering the call to seminary. She holds a Master’s of Divinity and Doctorate of Preaching, and remains active in area churches.
She and her husband have 4 mature children and a crop of grown-up grandchildren who keep them from becoming Old Foggie’s. Because there is no fun noise for that.
Robin has traditionally published more than 45 picture books. She writes stories to read and read again!
To learn more about Robin and her books, visit her online:
Landing page: Robin Currie | Substack
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/robincurrie
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/165559.Robin_Currie
Facebook: Robincurrieauthor
LinkedIn: rc2147/
Instagram: authorrobincurrie/
BlueSky: @robincurrie.bsky.social
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