“You can write about anything … as long as you write about you.” Mr. Lopez’s assignment has the young, brown-skinned narrator of this picture book stumped. At home, his sister explains that writing about yourself is called “autobiography.” She’s been writing one ever since she was in Mr. Lopez’s class. “It’s made up of different lists … things I do, things I feel … List by list, I’m writing the story of me.” Inspired, he writes down a title: “The Story of Me.” But what’s next? He tries making lists of things he likes, things he knows, and things he wants to be. But how can he turn his lists into a story? His sister suggests he look for connections—things his lists have in common. But first, she suggests, they should go the park. On their return, he takes a fresh look at his lists, and the connections start to appear. “Like when I look at the sky at night and try to connect the stars.” He begins to write, making changes after he shows his first draft to his friend Marcus. It’s all about the writing process in this picture book told in cartoon panels and covering the basics: brainstorming, drafting, editing, and the always important stepping away and looking at things anew. (Ages 6-9)

“You can write about ANYTHING, as long as you write about YOU.” A young boy listens as Mr. Lopez explains the class’s assignment: write about yourself. Marcus is going to write about his hat collection. Alia is going to write about the vampires she talks about all the time. The boy, however, doesn’t have any ideas beyond a title: “The Story of Me by Me.” His sister suggests making lists as a way to start — Thinks I Like, Things I Know. But the things all seem disconnected. Is there a way to tie them all together? Finally, a kid’s-eye guide to writing! Perfect inspiration for every child to start their very own “Story of Me”!