Module 6: Ideas Are All Around by Philip C. Stead

Citation:

Stead, P. C. (2016). Ideas are all around. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. 

Summary:

This is book is written in the first person. Wednesday, the author's dog, wants the author to stop writing and go for a walk.  The author has no idea what to write about so he complies. They run into great friends, things, and ideas. One friend, Barbara, reminds the author that Ideas are all around.

My Thoughts: 

This book is fun. The art in the picture book is beautiful and the story is great. This is the book for those who need inspiration, a nice reminder for those of us who think we run out of ideas or have no ideas.

Professional review:

"K-Gr 3-What does a writer do when ideas elude him? He allows his adorable canine to tempt him outdoors for a walk. Stead writes in the first person, describing settings and the characters he meets: a turtle he calls Frank, who "makes quick for the dark water and disappears"; ducks who withhold any advice they may have; and a wise friend who expresses the titular opinion. The author's voice is introspective, with a tinge of brooding just under the surface that transforms into quiet wonder when experiencing nature, kindness, and friendship. Arranged as blank verse, the sentences appear to have come from a typewriter, cleverly underscoring one of the subjects and metaphors. Stead has a gift for pairing the philosophical with the particular in poetic language; here he muses about war in response to a sign, digresses about birdcalls, and ponders destinations at train tracks. This last part includes a reproach to his dog about not walking on tracks. However, he says, "But we do it anyway." The admonition is probably to appease sensitive adults, but combined with the flippant dismissal, it is a temporary spell breaker. The art is glorious, creatively mixing small photographs-presented as Polaroids-combining handmade monoprint techniques and collage. There is a subtle "fortunately/unfortunately" subtext in the visual and verbal narratives, and while the scenes are unified through a predominance of blue in the sky photos and painted images, the realistic/imaginary contrast supports the other dualities. VERDICT Readers may wonder if this jaunt (and resulting book) is truth or fiction. Regardless, it is a provocative, artful journey."

Lukehart, W. (2016). Ideas Are All Around. School Library Journal, 62(1), 78-79.  

Library Use:

This would be a great introduction to a writer's block seminar or a journaling course. Too often people go into writing saying they have no ideas of they're out of them. Using this and then discussing strategies to push through writer's block or continue journaling would help actualize the process.