Ideas Are All Around

This book, throughout its first few pages, seems like a series of ramblings. The narrator begins by stating, "I have to write a story today." However, he lacks the inspiration. He has no ideas and, instead of writing, decides to take his dog on a walk around the neighborhood. Throughout the walk, the narrator encounters nature, converses with a friend, and is reminded of fond memories from his childhood. As he travels through his neighborhood, the narrator seems to "collect" ideas along the way, and eventually they follow him home in a parade-like fashion. It is almost as if the bits and pieces of his observations throughout the day have been collected and he is taking them home, as they could be potential stories for him. 

To be quite honest, it took me several times of reading this book and admiring the combination of illustrations, collages, and Polaroid photographs to fully understand what the author was saying. Modeling the movement through the creative process, the author shows us how creativity and inspiration bloom and that inspiration is everywhere. Although it doesn't explicitly state it, we realize that the narrator has realized he has much more to write about than he originally thought. 

In my opinion, this is a book for older elementary students. I think that it would be best used to help to students who are "stuck" in the writing process or need additional help understanding how to find inspiration. This would be a great resource for students who often lack inspiration or have a difficult time writing because they are unsure how to begin. 

Ideas Are All Around 
By: Phillip C. Stead 
Published in 2016