Once Upon a Time…

A Mother and Son’s Journey to Write Their First Children’s Book

Once upon a time, in a cozy home filled with laughter and love, a mother and her children embarked on an extraordinary adventure. They were not knights, dragons, or wizards—but they did have something just as magical: the power of imagination.

It all began one snowy afternoon as the mother listened to her children’s joyful voices fill the room. They were telling each other stories of their many delightful tales. They spoke of curious animals, faraway lands, and daring deeds. The stories seemed to come from a place of pure magic, and they were so wonderful that the mother couldn’t help but smile.

One night, as they all sat at the table, the mother asked, “What would you guys think about writing a book together?”  “Yes!” exclaimed the children, with none of them knowing where this would lead their family.

And so, with that simple question, their journey began. Together, they set off to create a world of their own—a world where children could laugh, learn, and dream. A world brought to life by their own words and pictures, full of whimsy and wonder.

They began writing a book about six teenagers who would save the world. Because they were very young, they thought being a teenager would be the best thing ever!  Why not, right?  And if you’re going to write a book, why not save the world? Many nights were spent brainstorming the story plot and characters until they began writing.  Each of the children was a character in the book.  So was their mother.

They wrote the book chapters until the children grew up and began their own lives.  The mother missed writing, so one day, she asked, “Would anyone like to write a book with me?  Maybe a children’s book?”

“Um, no.” 

“No thanks, Mom.” 

“Maybe sometime but not now.” 

“Nope.” 

“Thanks for the offer, Mom, but no.” 

“Sure, I would love to write a children’s book with you!”

Bingo!

The Quest to Create the Story

The path to creating their story was not without its challenges. It was like a great quest, where the mother and son had to face dragons of doubt, climb mountains of words, and sail across seas of imagination. But their hearts were full of courage, and their minds were eager.

They started by crafting their characters. The mother found out that there really were Elf Owls in the world – the desert, to be exact.  And they were tiny, the size of a juice box.  The son dreamed up characters like a wise Snowy Owl, funny elves, and funny reindeer. They worked together to shape these characters, guiding them through their own tiny adventures. Together, they discovered the magic of storytelling: the thrill of turning everyday moments into something extraordinary.

Each day, they would sit in the office, armed with keyboards, scrap paper, and their imaginations. They had their “creative differences” as they laughed together and thought of new twists to their story, always keeping the magic alive. It was as if they were painting the pages of a book with their dreams.

The Magic of Teamwork

Their bond grew stronger with every page they filled. They learned from each other’s boundless imagination. They were co-creators, shaping the very world they were building together. They were partners in this story, like two best friends on a grand adventure.

As they worked, they realized that the book wasn’t just about the story—it was about the joy of creating something together. With every sketch and every sentence written, they wove a tapestry of memories that would last a lifetime.

But no journey is ever complete without a few challenges. There were days when the words didn’t come, when the illustrations didn’t quite match the picture in their heads, and when they wondered if they could finish what they had started. Yet, just like any good fairy tale, they found their way through, determined to see the adventure through to the end.

The Happy Ending

And then, at long last, the book was finished. It was a beautiful creation, a perfect blend of imagination, hard work, and love. They held the finished book in their hands, marveling at the pages that now told their story—a story they had created together.

When they shared their book with others, it felt like they had unlocked a treasure chest full of joy, laughter, and memories. The book brought smiles to faces, and the mother and son realized that their adventure had become something even bigger than they had imagined.

They had created not just a book, but a fairy tale of their own—a story about the power of imagination, teamwork, and the bond between a mother and her son.

And so, their story continues…

Now, the mother and son dream of more adventures, more stories, and more books to share with the world. And though the first chapter of their fairy tale has ended, they know that every new story they create will be just as magical as the one before.

And they lived happily ever after—creating, dreaming, and writing together.

Bryn and Lynn

Family Ink:  The Mother and Son Storytelling Team