Inspiration

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Jordyn Jefferson

Storyteller & Consultant

Inspiration

I love stories of all shapes and sizes. Here are a few things I love to encounter in stories, and some of the books that inspired me to write.

Illustration of a boy dressed up as a mermaid, extending his hand out, from the cover of Julián is a Mermaid.

Confidence & Creativity

I absolutely love characters who own their strengths and share them with the world, like the protagonists in Oona; Ada Twist, Scientist; Julián is a Mermaid; and A Little Ferry Tale.

Illustration of a small child chasing leaves on an orange background, from the book Can You Hug a Forest?

The Little Things

Some of my favorite picture books are the ones that capture the beauty in everyday life. Alongside classics like Corduroy and The Mitten, my daughter and I love to read Nobody Hugs a Cactus, Extra Yarn, Our Pool, Can You Hug a Forest?, and Buffalo Fluffalo.

Illustration of a young girl surrounded by towering bookshelves, from the cover of Everything In Its Place.

Mental Health

I like to write about mental health, and I love reading what others have written. Recent favorites include:

Everything in Its Place, Olivia Wrapped in Vines, and The Grand Hotel of Feelings.

Illustration of a young girl making "bug juice" in her blender, from the book If Your Monster Won't Go to Bed.

Getting Silly

As great as books are to learn something new, sometimes you just need to laugh. Books that make me chuckle include If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denise Vega, writing instructor extraordinaire; You Must Bring a Hat; and We Don’t Eat Our Classmates.

Illustration of a boy with glasses and a lime green hat, surrounded by drawings, from the cover of Milo Imagines the World.

Unique Perspectives

I love when artists tell a story I would never expect. Recently, Milo Imagines the World, Patchwork, Bad Drawer, and One and Everything have all checked that box, for very different reasons.

Illustration of a lion whistling innocently, with two small animals nearby, from A Hungry Lion.

And the Occasional Surprise Snack

Someone being unexpectedly eaten is a trope that never fails to make me smile. I hope to one day come up with my own variation on this classic ending, but for now, I greatly admire I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, and A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals.

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