Kathleen always brings several original paintings from her books, creating a mini art gallery in the classroom. You can see 4 of the 6 paintings on the whiteboard ledge in McKenzie Towne Elementary School in Calgary, Alberta.

When I visit schools to talk about storytelling and writing I like to simplify the subject so that it is accessible to all the children. My goal is to help each child recognize that he or she has something worth saying.

First, I focus on why storytelling is important. I tell the children that stories help us to know and understand each other. Stories help us know who we are, where we belong, where we have been, and where we are going. They help us to feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. In telling stories we learn to recognize ourselves, both who we are and who we want to be.

So here is the simple formula I teach to children. Stories are made of three things:

1. people you know

2. places you go

3. things that happen to you.

Why don’t you try it right now? Use this three-part formula to leave a comment that tells us a little story.