The “Perspective Shift” Exercise: Writing a Children’s Story from Unexpected Angles
Objective
This writing exercise challenges you to step outside the typical point of view and tell a children’s story from an unconventional perspective. By shifting the lens through which the story is told, you’ll develop a richer understanding of character, voice, and narrative depth.
Many great children’s books use unique narrators to bring humor, surprise, or emotional depth. Think about:
✔ The Day the Crayons Quit (told by crayons)
✔ The Book With No Pictures (the book itself is the voice)
✔ The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (told by the “big bad” wolf)
This exercise pushes you to experiment with different viewpoints to create a more dynamic and engaging story.
Step 1: Choose a Common Story or Theme
Pick a simple, familiar children’s story concept. Some ideas:
✔ A lost child trying to find their way home
✔ A friendship between two unlikely creatures
✔ A birthday party gone wrong
✏ Write a one-sentence summary of your story idea
Example: A young girl plants a seed and eagerly waits for it to grow.
Step 2: Change the Perspective
Instead of telling the story from the obvious main character’s point of view, rewrite it from an unexpected narrator. Try one of these:
- An object – (The seed itself, a watering can, the girl’s gardening gloves)
- An animal or insect – (A curious earthworm, a bird watching from above)
- The “villain” – (A pesky weed, a stubborn rock blocking the roots)
- A natural force – (The sun, the rain, the wind)
✏ Now rewrite your story idea from this new perspective
Example: “I am a tiny seed buried in the earth, waiting for the right moment to wake up and reach for the sky.”
Step 3: Build the Character’s Voice & Motivation
To bring your narrator to life, ask:
✔ What does your narrator want? (To grow? To stay put? To be useful?)
✔ What’s their biggest obstacle? (Dry soil? Fear of change? Hungry predators?)
✔ What’s the narrator’s tone? (Hopeful? Funny? Dramatic? Nervous?)
✏ Write a paragraph in your narrator’s voice revealing their personality
Example (Seed’s POV):
“I have been sleeping for so long. The earth around me is warm and dark, and I feel safe here. But something inside me stirs—I want to stretch, to push up, to see what’s beyond this soil. But… what if it’s scary up there? What if the wind is too strong? What if a hungry bird is waiting? No, I will stay curled up a little longer. Just a little longer.”
Step 4: Rewrite a Key Scene from This POV
Take a pivotal moment from your story and rewrite it through the eyes of your new narrator:
✔ Show emotion through their thoughts and sensory details
✔ Use their unique traits to describe the world
✔ Highlight what this perspective reveals that others wouldn’t
✏ Write a 200–300 word scene in this new perspective.
Step 5: Test for Depth & Engagement
📖 Read your scene aloud. Does the voice feel distinct and engaging?
🎭 Imagine a child’s reaction. Would they find this perspective fun or surprising?
✂ Trim unnecessary details. Keep it tight, vivid, and full of personality.
✏ Refine your final paragraph for clarity and impact.
Bonus Challenge
📖 Write two versions of the same scene—one from the unusual narrator and one from a traditional third-person narrator. Then compare how they feel.
Why This Exercise Works
✔ Pushes creativity by breaking storytelling norms
✔ Builds stronger character voice
✔ Reveals deeper story layers
✔ Makes stories more memorable and emotionally rich
By mastering the Perspective Shift, you’ll create children’s books that stand out—stories full of originality, voice, and imagination that young readers will love.
