MOWMT: Writing About Quirky Kids by Berrie Torgan-Randall

March 6, 2025

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I wrote my picture book Just Ducky: A Friendship Takes Flight (Cardinal Rule Press, October 2025) based on an event that happened when my son was in daycare, and I was the librarian at the school attached to the daycare. My son’s class came to the library for storytime. While I attempted to read the story, my son kept interrupting with “facts” he wanted to tell me. Initially annoyed, his teacher let me know that he was enthusiastic about the story and wanted to let me know about it right there, right then. My son was a quirky kid who was afflicted with “expertitis” when it came to anything to do with how things work.

My character Ducky is a bit like my son. Ducky knows everything about ducks and wants everyone in day camp to know about her passion–much to the chagrin of her nemesis Marvin. Marvin has had enough with her quacking off duck facts and lets her know that her name is not Ducky, it's Margaret. Ducky knows that she doesn't have wings or feathers like a duck and can’t fly, but she can swim like a duck. Marvin is anxious about his swimming skills when the day camp has a trip to the lake. An unexpected friendship follows when Ducky helps Marvin feel more comfortable in the water by sharing her duck facts with him. Marvin, it turns out, has his own enthusiasms and is a rock “expert.” He “explodes” with information to tell Ducky. When Ducky asks Marvin if he would like to be her friend, he replies “Quack–that means I sure do.” 

I have gathered many stories in my career as a teacher/librarian both in the library and supervising students on the playground. One particular day, three friends were playing nicely together until two students wanted to only play with one of the friends. This led to my developing a story about the girl being fought over (literally being split in half–you can do this with fiction). The issue is resolved by inviting other kids to play, creating an inclusive circle of friends. Another story I am working on is based on an experience with my youngest daughter at five asking every day if it’s pajama day. From that memory, I created my character Super Hero Nero. Nero feels like a superhero when he wears his superhero pajamas and wants to wear them everyday and everywhere. He runs into an issue when he is asked to be the ring bearer at his aunt’s wedding and has to wear a tuxedo. When his uncle drops the wedding ring down the aisle, Nero follows hidden clues and finds the wedding ring becoming a real superhero without wearing his super hero pajamas.

If you are a parent or work with young children, you probably have a bunch of funny stories and sweet memories that you can write about. One particular stormy night our neighborhood lost electricity. Out came the flashlights and our family had a blast making shadow puppets and creating stories for our puppets. This memory led to the chapter “Pajama Jitters” in the second book of my early reader graphic novel series Bella and Blue Times Two (The Little Press, October 2026). Bella and her best friend Penny have a sleepover party. Penny admits to Bella that she is afraid of the dark. Bella turns on her flashlight and the two make up shadow puppet stories about their dogs (Blue and Peanut). Penny feels even better when Bella admits that she sleeps with a night light and thanks Bella for being a scaredy cat like her. Bella responds with a “Meow.”

When I was a kid, my passion was drawing and visiting the library, and it still is. When I visit schools, I show the students a photo of myself in first grade and share a story. In the picture I am wearing a locket that my mom lent me for picture day. Before I left for school she said, “Make sure you don’t lose the locket.” Well I lost it. I tell the students you can make stories about everyday occurrences like losing something or finding something. Or you can retell a funny, interesting, or important story that happened to you. I also tell the students that we all have things we love to do and think about or talk about. That makes us all a bit quirky in wonderful ways, and it makes us who we are. My “expertise” and passion for drawing and telling stories has turned into my career as an author/illustrator and allows me to share my passion with students, readers, educators, and writers–everyone who knows the value of a quirky kid story.

Berrie Torgan-Randall is an author/illustrator working from her home studio in Media, PA. In addition to being an author and illustrator, she is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Eastern Pennsylvania SCBWI. Berrie’s illustrations have appeared in Ladybug Magazine, and her debut early reader graphic novel, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue was published by The Little Press Publishing in 2022. Berrie signed a contract with The Little Press for the second book in the Bella & Blue series to launch in October 2026 titled Bella & Blue: Times Two. In addition, Berrie’s debut picture book, Just Ducky: A Friendship Takes Flight, is set to soar in October 2025 (Cardinal Rule Press).

berrietr@gmail.com

@blue.berrie

@berrietr.bsky.social

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Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue - Early Reader Graphic Novel

Just Ducky coming October 2025 (Cardinal Rule Press)

Bella & Blue Times Two coming October 2026 (The Little Press Publishing)

Berrie Torgan-Randall Illustrator/Author 610-308-9253

http://www.berrietr.com/

Follow me on Instragram: blue.berrie #bellaandbluebook  

Bluesky: @berrietr.bsky.social

Pronouns: she/hers

PRIZE: Berrie is giving away a signed copy of Bella & Blue. Please be sure to comment and share a book with a quirky kid main character.

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