Gift for an aspiring children's author

December 27, 2013 8:33 AM

I want to get my friend a gift who would like to write books for children. But I don't know what would be a cool gift. What would you get an aspiring author?

She's a kindergarten/first grade teacher and she has several ideas for books but doesn't know where to start. I'd love to get her something that will help further her goals, but I haven't a clue what to get her. Maybe a book about how to get a children's book published?

I saw this question, and was thinking of getting her this book. I didn't know if there was more awesome things I could get her though.

posted by Attackpanda to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Best answer: Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom. Nordstrom was the Harper editor who revolutionized children's book sin the 1950s and 1960s, editing "good books for bad children" at a time when moralizing and sappy Aesops were the norm. Every letter is a treat, and every writer working in children's literature should have a copy.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:45 AM on December 27, 2013 [5 favorites]

If she is also planning on illustrating her books, you could get her a gift certificate at a well-regarded art supply store (such as Dick Blick).
posted by Wordwoman at 8:45 AM on December 27, 2013

The Artist's Way
posted by backwards guitar at 8:58 AM on December 27, 2013

The War of Art
posted by Ideefixe at 9:28 AM on December 27, 2013

Best answer: A membership to her local chapter of SCBWI.
posted by cider at 10:36 AM on December 27, 2013

Lynda Barry, What It Is.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:00 PM on December 27, 2013