June 5: Bedtime Story Day

Today is the birthday of Rick Riordan, the bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.  An award winning author of mysteries for adults, Riordan’s great success as a children’s began at the bedside of his oldest son.  When his son requested a bedtime story from Greek Mythology, Riordan, a former middle school teacher, was more than willing to share some stories about gods and heroes.  Riordan’s major breakthrough happened when he ran out of material.  His son asked him to make up some new stories with the same characters (1).

In addition to the familiar characters from Greek mythology, there is one conspicuously new character in Riordan's books:  Percy Jackson, a 12-year old demigod with dyslexia and ADHD.

Today’s Challenge:  Tell Me a Story

What character from mythology or literature would you tell a new story about?  Craft a new narrative, bedtime story style, using old characters in new situations.

Quote of the Day:  Much of my reading time over the past decade and a half has been spent reading aloud to my children.  Those children’s bedtime rituals of supper, bath, stories, and sleep have been a staple of my life and some of the best, most special times I can remember.   –Louise Brown

 

 

1 - Biography – Rick Riordan.  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/rick-riordan