Lucy Ruth Cummins taught us that your main character doesn’t have to be the champion, or even get picked to play at all! Watch the book review to learn more about the picture book, Stumpkin, and how you can use that to benefit your writing today.
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Your character doesn’t have to be the one that’s picked.
One thing that Lucy Ruth Cummins taught us in her picture book, Stumpkin, is that your character can be the underdog. And they don’t always have to get what they want.
This is not only a perfect lesson for all of us, but it’s a great lesson for writers. Agents and editors are always looking for the twist or fresh idea for a story, and what’s better than a twist on the expected.
Your ending doesn’t have to go the character’s way.
This is a great lesson to learn in a picture book, and in life in general. Which is why it resonates so well with readers in the picture book, Stumpkin.
One thing that Lucy Ruth Cummins reminds us is that we don’t always get what we want. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy. Is there something in your story that you could twist to be unexpected at your ending, too?
Pick up a copy of the picture book, Stumpkin, to learn about how you can use an underdog to your benefit. You can pick up your copy on Amazon here.
Also, check out these other book reviews to inspire your next picture book:
- How to Tell Your Story like Dreamers
- How to Tell a Message like The Rabbit Listened
- How to Think Outside the Picture Book like BJ Novak
- How to Use Adjectives in a Picture Book

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