The fifth graders at Martell Elementary in Troy recently got some great tips on keeping a
summertime journal from a professional, Ruth McNally Barshaw, Michigan author and
illustrator of the Ellie McDoodle series.

In a June 4th school presentation and workshop brimming with fun and academics,
Ruth described her path to publication. Growing up in a Harper Woods family of nine
children, Ruth got her big break when her high school art teacher gave her the first blank
sketchbook. She filled it, and hundreds more, and it is this quick pen and ink style, with
a funny, witty wordplay that eventually led to a career in children’s books.

The Ellie McDoodle books are similar in style to another successful series, Diary of a
Wimpy Kid. Both journal-style novel series were published at virtually the same time,
and both are credited with enticing reluctant readers to read and take a chance on
more books.

At the school presentation Ruth stressed the importance of revisions for writers and the
value of B.I.C. (Body In Chair) as a way to begin any difficult project. She reminded
students that practice and persistence in any field, including music (she plays her
harmonica at student events), art and sports, brings improvement. Rounding out the
academic portion of the session, Ruth showed students how to create a story from
start to finish.

And then they drew. Ruth showed students how to draw a zebra head starting with
two triangles. She helped them create a cartoony squirrel beginning with a rounded
triangle and a circle, saying that professional illustrators often tackle complex illustrations
by starting with simple shapes. She invited students to come up with “Ellie McDoodle
words” demonstrating that the “P” in “Parrot” can become the bird, or the “B” in “Butterfly”
becomes fancy decorated wings for the insect.

Ruth appeared at Martell Elementary on request of Jan McIntyre, whose son Kevin is
in the fifth grade. Ruth’s two books, Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel and
Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School are available in bookstores and through Scholastic Book
Club. Her third book, Ellie McDoodle: Best Friends Fur-Ever debuts August 3. Another
unrelated children’s novel is in the works, and Ruth has plans for future Ellie McDoodle books.
Ruth will spend this summer “B.I.C.”, Body In Chair, writing.