Creative Workshop Inspires Young Writers & Illustrators
This week, early childhood education specialist and children's book author Thuba Nguyen led a creative workshop for ages 5-12 at North Suburban Center for the Arts (NSCA) on how to develop an illustrated book.
During the workshop, Nguyen discussed the process of creating her book My Daddy Tells Me, a story centered on her own upbringing, told through the main character Mai and her father. Nguyen’s discussion of the writing process helped the young authors consider the ways their personal experiences can serve as inspiration for stories and how illustrations help readers learn more about the characters and setting.
Participants crafted their own narratives from start to finish—from brainstorming to developing characters, then sequencing storyboards, and finally bringing it all to life with illustrations—these emerging authors worked diligently to construct their final products using colored pencils, markers, and construction paper.
Nguyen encouraged risk taking and experimenting with different ideas as the authors finalized their tales. Gathering at the end of the workshop, Nguyen opened the floor to anyone interested in sharing their book with the group. Smiles and giggles filled the room as the authors shared tales of spiders, rabbits, fairies, and flowers.
Now we understand where flowers sleep better and know a bit more about Sparkle the Fairy’s friendships—and that’s what makes writing stories so very cool.
More about Thuba Nguyen:
Thuba Nguyen (she/they) is an Early Childhood Education Specialist expert with over twelve years of experience in the field. As a female Vietnamese-African American author/creative, she believes it is vital to have more multiracial representation in all creative markets. She holds an Associates Applied Science in Early Childhood Education: Specialization in Special Needs and a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education Leadership. Her work centers on anti-bias education and anti-racist pedagogy. Currently, she works as a Communications Specialist for the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus and Queer Caucus in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She wants to ensure our country's youngest scholars get every chance to read quality children’s books that reflect their lived experiences and the possibility of living vicariously through new characters and stories.
Find My Daddy Tells Me in our maker’s market or online.
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