The Notebook Sessions: Mirror Stories

Peek inside my notebook to get inspired, make new connections, develop your craft, and grow as a children’s book writer.

Mirror stories are stories that end the way they begin. They might be called circle stories, cyclical stories. Whatever you call them they can deepen the theme, add meaning, or even punctuate a joke. They’re a bit like a reprise in a song.

In Monster Party, this cutie gets invited to a party. He goes to the party. He has fun at the part party. He is super sad to leave the party. And surprise! He gets invited to another party at the end of the book and happily marks RSVP.

This book really begins with the title, You Matter, and then the first lines, “The small stuff too small to see.” In this book we zoom through space and time, big and small moments that matter to someone. Then at the end, it’s the same text, “The small stuff too small to see. You matter.” But the art is different, and the meaning is different.

Hello, Lighthouse begins, “On the highest rock of a tiny island, at the edge of the world, stands a lighthouse. It is built to last forever, sending the light out to sea, guiding the ships on their way.” And it ends, “On the highest rock of a tiny island, at the edge of the world, stands a lighthouse. It is built to last forever, sending its light out to sea.” And in between, we see the lighthouse keeper go through his life’s journey, marrying, having kids, and dealing with illness. The light is blinking in the background, “Hello. Hello. Hello.” When you get to that last page, it feels like that refrain has the weight of generations, of death and birth. If you haven’t already read this one, go read it. Then clasp it to your chest and sigh. It’s perfect!

This book begins, “McToad likes Thursdays.” And it ends, “McToad likes Thursdays.” In between, we go on a weird, elaborate journey with this toad and his lawnmower. So at the beginning, when we hear, “McToad likes Thursdays,” readers wonder why. By the end, we know it’s a very silly understatement.

The Watermelon Seed starts by telling us how much this crocodile looooves watermelon. He eats it for breakfast. He eats it for dinner. He eats so much that he swallows a seed. Then he freaks out, thinking he might turn into a watermelon. He vows never to eat watermelon again. But after he burps it out, it looks like he has eaten more watermelon, and he might have even swallowed another seed.

Try This

This structure isn’t right for every book, but maybe it’s right for yours. Think about how your story would be different if you had a reprise at the end. How would it change the meaning of the story? How would it change readers experience? Let me know if you give it a try.

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