The Hidden Homework of Whimsical: Researching for Children’s Fiction

When people think of writing children’s fiction, they often imagine a world of pure imagination where the rules of reality don’t apply. If you’re writing a story about a Blue Gnu who uses a smartphone to call zoo friends and plan a massive party, you’re clearly in the realm of the “made up,” right?

Well, yes—and no.

The secret to making the impossible feel “real” to a child is anchoring it in reality. To write (and illustrate) One Blue Gnu effectively, you have to know what a real gnu looks like, how it moves, and what it smells like when the rain hits the savannah.

Here is a peek behind the scenes at the fun facts and the rabbit holes I fell down while researching the cast of One Blue Gnu.

The Gnu’s Strange Design

While my protagonist might be blue and tech-savvy, a real Gnu (or Wildebeest) seems to be a strange mix of animals. Early explorers often described them as having the head of an ox, the mane of a horse, and the horns of a buffalo.

Fun Fact I Uncovered: Did you know gnus are known as “the clowns of the desert”? They have a habit of performing stunts: sudden, frantic bursts of running in circles, bucking, and jumping for no apparent reason other than (presumably) a bit of high-energy chaos. In a children’s book, this is a goldmine for character personality!

The Guest List: Researching Beyond the Gnu

In One Blue Gnu, the protagonist uses his smartphone to coordinate a swimming party with his friends. This meant the research didn’t stop with Blue Gnu; it moved into the specialized enclosures of the zoo to get the supporting cast just right. Here are just a few:

• The Orangutans: To write and illustrate a convincing orangutan, you have to understand their “engineering” minds. In zoos, they are famous for being escape artists. I researched how they use tools—if an orangutan in my book is holding a smartphone, he’s likely figured out how to shimmy a lock!
• The Red Pandas: These aren’t just small raccoons. I looked into their “false thumb”—an extended wrist bone that helps them grip bamboo. It turns out, this anatomical quirk also makes them excellent at gripping a phone while lounging on a high branch. 🙂
• The Ducks: Even the common duck requires research. I looked into the social hierarchy of flocks and the “dabbling” vs. “diving” behaviors to ensure that when they get the call from Blue Gnu out on the lake and then show up to the party, their movement feels authentic to their species.

Why the Details Matter

You might ask: Does a five-year-old care if the gnu’s horns are shaped correctly or if the red panda’s grip is anatomically inspired?

Maybe not consciously. But children are the world’s best “truth-detectors.” When you ground your fantasy in real-world facts—the way a gnu’s hooves “clack” on hard ground, or the specific way an orangutan uses its feet like hands—the world feels solid. It gives the reader permission to believe in the party and the smartphone.

The Rabbit Hole Reward

Researching for children’s fiction is rarely about boring dates or statistics. It’s about finding the weird, the gross, and the hilarious truths of our natural world and weaving them into the structure of our stories.

Who gnu? 🙂 So, the next time you see a talking animal in a picture book, remember: the author and illustrator likely spent three hours watching slow-motion footage of a red panda climbing or a duck preening to get the creative tone just right.

What’s the weirdest fact you’ve ever looked up for a creative project? Share it in the comments!

One Blue Gnu Book Summary

When a box of cell phones is accidentally delivered to the zoo, one blue gnu quickly calls two white sheep, who plan a party – beep beep beep!

This illustrated picture book will keep young readers giggling and guessing to the end. News of the party spreads to three orange apes, four red pandas, and five green ducks … up until 10 purple birds learn it’s party time! But oh no – who invited tiger, and who will he call on his new phone? ONE BLUE GNU is a fun and colorful romp at the zoo, where we count from one to 10 and down again in one huge party!