Okay, so it's not an original movie, but since I got The Gumdrops: Quest For Bravery yesterday in the post, things have been completely different for me. Thanks to the interactive elements of the book, and the creative art and writing skills of Ms Elissa Elwick, these extremely exciting and surprise-filled ripoffs of the Teletubbies are...not ripoffs at all, but rather something you'd rather find in a GMTV Kids preschool show.
Without them, my creativity wouldn't have expanded, and by helping them and their flying red bear storyteller friend on their quest to make an imaginary friend for their human friend Daisy, there's loads of endless possibilities for every time you read again.
So without further to do, here are ten ways The Gumdrops have helped me expand my creativity:
1.I used my imagination skills to help them. I helped them through every step of their journey, like Nick Jr viewers help Dora and Boots on their adventures. My favourite part of the book was imagining what the scary shadows are - a rainbow lizard, a dinosaur and a sleepy cave boy, Mildred Hubble, you name it, it's here.
2.The world is fun to explore. Wow! Look at how beautiful Yummy Gummy Land is! Every time you come back for a five minute stress break, use the book to boost your imagination skills: for they, yes they, are the key to taking away your fog.
3.It sharpens creativity. Unlike other Little Tiger books, which are all told in cosy cottagecore rhyme, this graphic novel mixes a programme you'd find with either Ragdoll, Nick Jr or GMTV Kids' preschool strand as it uses reader participation to expand and encourage creativity in any reader, including kids.
4.The villain isn't threatening. Unlike those in My Little Pony like King Sombra and Tirek, who are all threatening and scary, the little fluffy rabbit Evilee isn't at all threatening. Instead, she is who all preschool villains should be - mischievous, playing pranks and throwing tantrums when nothing goes her way. It's something even Octonauts and The Lion Guard should adopt. You hear me, Disney Junior?!
5.It inspired me to do some creative projects of my own. You know what? I'll dedicate the rest of the countdown to what I did inspired by those Gumdrops. Here they are:
6.Imagination diaries
7.My own imagination books, inspired by those Paige the librarian keeps
8.Micro fiction and drabbles
9.Character diaries
10.And best of all, thanks to the Gumdrops, I discovered that I can turn words into anything with the power of imagination - something other Little Tiger/Stripes books like Dirty Bertie and Undead Pets, didn't encourage their readers to do before, because nobody understood it like author Elissa Elwick.
So Elissa, if you're reading this, I would like to say: thank you. The Gumdrops meant so much to me, and now it is a tool for combatting brain fog and thinking up new ideas. When the new Gumdrops book, Main Character Energy, my creativity will expand even more. Maybe I can suggest some ideas for Gumdrops books!
But still, Elissa, I couldn't have expanded my creativity without you or your faithful Gumdrops on hand to see me through. So:
Thank you for encouraging creativity.
Thank you for helping me combat my brain fog and finding something to help me spend my 5 minute time out sessions with.
And most of all...
Thank you, for inventing a series that caters to my level.
As a wise poodle once said:
You're doing great.
Keep up the good work.