Breaking the "Knitting Grandma" Mold & Building Better Stories

In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt catches up with award-winning author and former teacher Nancy Viau. Nancy is on a mission to modernize how we see grandparents in kidlit and, more importantly, how we teach the "dreaded" writing block.

From the "Somebody Wants, But, So, Then" formula that helps even the most reluctant 5th grader find their plot, to the secret science of why "Tic-Tac-Toe" sounds better than "Toe-Tac-Tic," this conversation is packed with literacy tips and high-energy inspiration for your next writing workshop.

✨ What Teachers & Librarians Will Learn:

• The "Somebody Wants, But, So, Then" Formula: A concrete, 5-step scaffolding tool that scales from Pre-K (with finger plays) to high school novels.
• A New Look at Grandparents: Why Nancy's new book Hanging Out with Graham (releasing Jan 15!) challenges the "sedate/passive" grandmother stereotype to reflect the active, vibrant grandparents of today.
• The Science of Sound: A deep dive into alliteration, onomatopoeia, and the "IAO" vowel rule (why we say Big Mac but never Mac Big).
• Rhyme vs. Meter: Why rhyming is the "hardest way to write" and how teachers can help kids understand the flow and syllables behind the words.
• The "Folded Paper" Workshop: How to use post-it notes and a simple 8-page dummy to teach students about the "physics" of a picture book and the power of the page turn.

🔑 Key Topics & Time Stamps:

• 03:40: Engaging the "Littles": Making books synonymous with fun through finger plays.
• 06:20: The Formula: Breaking down Somebody, Wants, But, So, Then.
• 11:07: Using onomatopoeia and energy words to make stories jump off the page.
• 15:05: The "Picture" Test: Understanding accented vs. unaccented syllables.
• 19:07: Representation Matters: Why modern grandmothers don't just sit and knit.
• 24:40: Adam’s "Spiteful Drawings": A lesson on why kids (and authors) push against creative boundaries.
• 32:42: The One-Word Challenge: How a single word changes the trajectory of a story.
• 36:45: Story Sparks: Using nature and travel to clear the head and ignite ideas.

📚 Featured in this Episode:

• The New Book: Hanging Out with Graham by Nancy Viau (Schiffer Kids, Jan 15).
• Nancy’s Book Bag: Her One Regret (Thriller) and the 40-year-old family version of The Night Before Christmas.
• Adam’s Book Bag: Looking for recommendations on second-tier holiday books (shoutout to Arbor Day!).

🔗 Connect with Nancy Viau:

• Website: NancyViau.com
• Instagram: @NancyViau1
• Threads: @NancyViau1

🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:

• Website: AdamLehrhaupt.com
• Instagram: @Lehrhaupt

In this engaging conversation, Patricia Newman, a master of nonfiction writing, shares her insights on the intricacies of crafting nonfiction for children. She discusses the importance of research, the challenges of maintaining historical accuracy, and the techniques she employs to engage young readers. Patricia emphasizes the significance of connecting with educators and the role of concise writing in storytelling. The discussion also touches on the various styles of nonfiction and the creative inspirations that drive her work.


Takeaways

• Patricia Newman has a background in both writing and education, which informs her approach to nonfiction.
• Nonfiction should be based on real events, people, and dialogue, emphasizing the importance of accuracy.
• Writing concisely is crucial in picture books to convey complex ideas effectively.
• Engaging young readers involves presenting relatable characters and real-world problems.
• Collaboration with educators helps create relevant curriculum connections for her books.
• Research is essential, especially when dealing with historical events and figures.
• Different styles of nonfiction cater to various audiences and purposes, including narrative and browsable formats.
• Creative inspiration often comes from personal interests and the desire to learn about new topics.
• The writing process can involve multiple drafts to refine ideas and language.
• Empowering children through stories of civic role models can inspire them to make a difference in their communities.

Sound bites

"Birds will use anything."
"I can't make up dialogue."
"I always went overboard."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nonfiction and Personal Connections
04:49 Defining Nonfiction: Purity and Creativity
09:39 Crafting Picture Books: The Art of Conciseness
16:03 Engaging Educators: Connecting Literature to Real-World Issues
20:37 The Process of Writing: From Idea to Execution
26:24 Unraveling Myths: Tesla and Edison
27:25 The Challenge of Historical Accuracy
31:28 The Importance of Expert Consultation
35:23 Exploring Nonfiction Structures
39:30 Creative Sparks and Inspirations

In this episode of Picture This, Adam Lehrhaupt engages listeners in a reflective conversation about the podcast's past episodes, guest contributions, and the importance of listener feedback. He emphasizes the need for audience input to shape future content, aiming to create episodes that address real challenges faced by educators. Adam invites listeners to share their thoughts on what they want more of, whether it's quick activity ideas, author interviews, or behind-the-scenes stories, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone.


Takeaways

• Listener feedback is crucial for shaping future episodes.
• The podcast has featured 22 interviews with various educational professionals.
• Topics covered include STEM projects, anxiety, grief, and classroom activities.
• Adam seeks to know which episodes resonated most with listeners.
  • He is open to experimenting with the format of the show.
  • Listeners are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions.
• The goal is to help educators teach with more joy and less stress.
• Future episodes may include more interviews and ways to bring picture books to life.

Sound bites

"I want to experiment with the show."
"Tell me what you want me to make."
"Happy reading."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast
02:42 Reflecting on Past Episodes and Guest Contributions
05:14 Seeking Listener Feedback and Future Directions

Contact Adam: Visit AdamL.Rocks