Blog

Book recommendations, behind-the-scenes worldbuilding, and resources for readers, parents, and teachers.

This blog shares middle-grade fantasy book lists, steampunk explanations, and insights into the world of Willomina Tip.

Love The Wingfeather Saga? Try These 6 Books and Series
For years, I heard about this series called The Wingfeather Saga.

But it wasn’t until I learned Angel Studios was adapting the books into an animated series that I took the time to read them for myself.

Wow.

I was initially a bit shocked. The situations these child characters found themselves in were horrifying. The Fangs and the Black Carriage were enough to make this grown woman a little extra jumpy at nighttime.

And yet, the world was charming and innocent. Sea dragons that dance, ridiculous creatures like Toothy Cows, and cheese chowder that makes you salivate just thinking about it.

I loved the children (Janner is my favorite). Uncle Artham’s transformation really touched me. And I was fascinated by the icy city of Kimera.

The Wingfeather Saga combines innocence and humor, rich worldbuilding, and emotionally deep character arcs into a very unexpected package.

The problem is that type of story is few and far between.

Or is it?

6 Books and Series for Readers Who Love The Wingfeather Saga

First up, we have a classic.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Lina and Doon have grown up in Ember, an underground city lit by enormous lamps that are beginning to fail. When Lina discovers part of an old message, the two children begin searching for a way to save their people—even when almost no one believes them.

I actually saw the movie first, which was a pretty good as book movies go. But the themes come across so much more deeply in the book. In this story, I found a beautiful representation of:
- Perseverance in the face of persecution
- Willingness to do what is right even if you are alone
- Faith in a future no one else believes in
- A child’s bravery
- Choosing hope and light for a future that appears dark
Much like the characters in The Wingfeather Saga, the children in The City of Ember have to choose to believe in something they have never seen and fight for a future no one believes is possible. It really encouraged me and has stuck with me since.

The Imagination Station Series by Paul McCusker

From the world of Adventures in Odyssey comes a magnificent time-traveling, faith-filled, action-packed series! Join cousins Patrick and Beth as they travel to various lands and times, meeting famous historical figures and seeing God at work across history.

My younger brother had a set of these when he was a newer reader. Intrigued by the cover, I picked one up and gave it a go. Wow, even though it was well below my reading level, I was immediately pulled into the story and found myself rooting for the characters.

I’m a sucker for history. I’m a sucker for time travel. I’m a sucker for a good adventure.

I liked these books so much that when I was leading a daycare class for 7-10 year olds, I chose this series for our afternoon reading time. Through these pages, we explored:
- History
- Science
- Geography
- Faith
Beautiful conversations and questions emerged while we discussed these stories.

While each book in this series is a faster read than The Wingfeather Saga, it deserves a similar place of honor for the quality of the reading experience.

The Cooper Kids Adventure Series by Frank Peretti

These books almost turned me into an archaeologist.

Teenagers Jay and Lila Cooper and their archaeologist father travel throughout the world solving mysteries both natural and supernatural in this popular series.

Warning: these are not for little kids, but are better suited for your older readers. This series covers spiritual warfare, time travel, plane hijacking, deadly toxins, and ancient paganism. Like The Wingfeather Saga, this series does not shy away from hard topics.

I’ve witnessed adults and kids alike sit on the edge of their seats while reading these books. Frank Peretti can pace a climax like no one else. Throughout the series, I was constantly reminded of:
- God’s power
- The importance of truth
- Bravery and resourcefulness
- How precious human life is
Mom and Dad, you might want to read these first (but you’ll thank me because they are such a great read). This series had such a huge impact on my childhood and stays with me even now.

Passages Vol 1-2 by Paul McCusker

These fantasy takes on classic Bible stories will help you see the stories you know in a whole new way. Children from our world are suddenly thrust into a fantasy reality where they experience battles, political conflicts, and life-or-death decisions.

The 6 books cover the stories of:
- Noah
- David
- Esther
- Joseph
- Elijah
- Moses
I picked these up randomly at a church library as a kid, and once I opened them I devoured them whole. Like The Wingfeather Saga, the children in these books have to rise to the occasion and become more than they thought was possible. I loved it, and so will your kids.

Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs by Laura Welch, Bodie Hodge, and illustrated by Bill Looney

This book is going to change your world.

Part of a series that also covers the numerous global legends of Noah’s Flood, as well as the myths and history of giants, this is one of my favorite books on the planet.

First, it’s crazy fun to read. There are pop-outs, pockets, and moving parts on almost every page.

Second, it explores dragon legends from cultures around the world and makes the case that some of those stories may have roots in real encounters with creatures we would recognize as dinosaurs. Whether you’re fascinated by the history, the legends, or the debate itself, there’s a lot here to explore.

Only read this if you love:
- History
- Geography
- Archaelogy
- Dragons
- Heroes
- Legends
- Amazing art
For those who wish the world of Wingfeather was real, you might find out that our world is more similar than you thought.

Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City by me

Willomina Tip has spent her whole life dreaming of the day when she can join her father on his annual visit to the Imperial City, the largest floating island in the known world.

But when a shocking revolt turns the magnificent city into chaos, Willomina suddenly finds herself alone, stranded, and struggling to survive.

With danger spreading through the streets and no way home, she must navigate a city filled with secrets, strange allies, and unexpected enemies. If she hopes to return to her family, Willomina will need courage, quick thinking, and perseverance she never knew she had.

When I wrote Willomina Tip, I wanted to create the kind of reading experience I enjoyed with books like The Wingfeather Saga. My goal was to offer:
- Rich worldbuilding
- Legends, lore, and history
- High stakes
- Villains you love to hate
- Awesome animal sidekicks
- Strange creatures
- Secrets that unfold throughout the series
- Vivid sensory details
- A character you would cross the ocean (or sky) for
I believe we all deserve more books like The Wingfeather Saga – books that inspire children to dream and try, to believe in the light even when it’s dark, and to explore the world we’ve been given.

I worked hard, and according to my reviewers – I succeeded.

Good books are not as common as we wish they were. That’s why I operate by the principle that if you find a good thing, you should definitely share it.

I hope these books meet some of your cravings for adventure and light they way they have mine.

Take to the Skies Today!

Would you like to visit the Imperial City? Fly in an airship? Uncover the secret of a legendary thief?

Get a sneak peek into Willomina’s world by reading the first 7 chapters free.

Already set to take off? Get Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City today!
October 1, 2026
Free Fantasy Worldbuilding Guide for Kids (Ages 8–12)
Have you ever watched a child build an entire kingdom out of LEGO bricks? Or draw a treasure map of an imaginary island with fantastical monsters?

I have. I was that kid, and I’ve taught those kids. Imagination and possibility hide around every corner of a child’s mind—they just need a little encouragement to bring those ideas to life.

Kids are Natural Worldbuilders

Before a child ever learns words like “setting” or “worldbuilding,” they’re already imagining underwater cities, hidden forests, talking animals, underground tunnels, and magical kingdoms.

Play Barbies with a group of five-year-olds for twenty minutes, and soon you have a nice mermaid, an evil queen, and someone using her freeze powers (when did she get those) to stop the bad guys.

Tell a group of seven-year-olds that their play equipment is a grand sailing ship, and watch as they invent sea monsters, a shocking number of tsunamis (not sure how we survived so many), and a wicked octopus.

Hand a group of eight- to ten-year-olds some aged paper, a list of questions, and the freedom to create whatever they want—and voilà! Worlds will be born. I did this with my students a few years ago, and their creativity absolutely delighted me.

Students proudly display the fantasy worlds they created during a classroom worldbuilding activity.

After experiencing the joy of worldbuilding with kids, I decided to create the Young Worldbuilder’s Starter Kit—a free printable activity guide inspired by the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City.

Whether your child dreams of writing stories, loves fantasy adventures, or simply enjoys drawing maps and inventing new places, this guide is designed to help turn imagination into something they can build, explore, and eventually write about.

What’s Inside the Young Worldbuilder’s Starter Kit?

The printable workbook is packed with creative activities that encourage kids to think like authors and explorers.

Inside, they’ll find:
- A welcome from Willomina herself
- A fantasy world questionnaire to spark ideas
- A guided map-building activity
- Character creation worksheets
- A character drawing page
- A fantasy vehicle design activity inspired by the airships of the Imperial City
- A personal letter from Willomina encouraging young creators
- A creative writing adventure page
- An Official Young Worldbuilder Certificate. (Like, very official; some might call it “frameable.”
Every activity is designed to encourage creativity without feeling like homework.

More Than a Writing Worksheet

I’ve always learned best by creating something. As a kid, that meant drawing characters and inventing stories. As an adult, I discovered my students learned the same way.

Think about it, worldbuilding naturally combines:
- Creative writing
- Reading comprehension
- Art
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Imagination
Instead of filling in blanks with “correct” answers, children become the author, cartographer, inventor, and explorer of their own world.

Kids are always being told how the world works, what can or cannot happen, and what to do. But when they become the worldbuilders, suddenly they are in charge, and there isn’t just one right answer. It’s whatever they can imagine.

Inspired by Willomina Tip

Many of the activities draw inspiration from the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City, a whimsical world of floating islands, airships, mysterious legends, and dangerous revolutions.

But the point of this workbook is not to copy my world.

My goal is to give young creators the tools and confidence to build one of their own.

Download Your Free Copy

If your child loves fantasy, storytelling, drawing maps, or imagining entirely new worlds, I’d love to share this free resource with you.

Join the Polaris Network newsletter below, and I’ll send the Young Worldbuilder’s Starter Kit straight to your inbox. (You have my solemn promise that I will never spam you.)

I hope it inspires many new adventures—and maybe even the first chapter of a story only your young author can tell.

Take Me to the Worldbuilder Guide

About Grace Gidman

Grace Gidman is the author of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City and a former elementary educator who loves encouraging children to read, imagine, and create. Through stories, printable activities, and fantasy resources, she hopes to inspire the next generation of young worldbuilders and storytellers.
July 29, 2026
Why Rats Became Heroes Instead of Villains in My Fantasy World
Let’s be real, people: rats conjure up some pretty scary images.
- Bubonic plague.
- The villainous rat in The Lady and the Tramp
- Professor Ratigan (The Great Mouse Detective)
- Any filthy, dangerous, unsavory part of town always = rats
Even Templeton the rat in Charlotte’s Web was grouchy and had to be bribed into bringing back written materials to inspire Charlotte’s pig-saving efforts.

Rats have earned a reputation in stories and popular culture as villains, tricksters, or creatures to avoid.

But I’ve spent years learning about rats, and the truth is they deserve a much better reputation. These tiny, feared creatures are actually incredible once you get to know them.

When I was creating the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City, I needed an animal that was intelligent, adaptable, and believable in a sprawling fantasy city. What could be more perfect for that environment than rats?

Let’s dive into these marvelous little creatures!

Rats Are Incredibly Intelligent

Rats are among the smartest animals in the world.

They can solve puzzles, learn complicated tasks, remember solutions for long periods of time, and even navigate mazes with remarkable speed. Researchers have even taught rats to drive tiny cars, proving just how adaptable and curious they can be.

That intelligence made them a natural fit for my story. I wanted readers to enjoy an animal sidekick that exemplified a “Disneyfied” level of intelligence, but was actually all based on reality. Rats really are that smart!

Rats Show Empathy

One of my favorite discoveries was learning that rats genuinely care about one another.

Studies have shown that rats will help trapped companions—even when there is no reward waiting for them. They’ve even been observed sharing food with other rats in need. (We’re not talking boring food; we are talking CHOCOLATE CHIPS, PEOPLE! That is true love.)

That’s a far cry from the selfish, greedy image many people have of them.

The rats in my story show deep empathy, anticipate positive and negative emotions, and respond to other characters’ needs without thought for their own safety.

Rats Love Collecting Treasures

Real rats are natural collectors.

Whether it’s food or interesting little objects, they’ll often carry things back to their nests and build hidden collections.

As a little girl, I actually had a concern that a rat might show up one day and drag my favorite stuffed bunny away, and I would never see her again.

Now as an adult, I see the likelihood of that happening was minimal. But as a fantasy writer, that’s incredibly fun to imagine, as well as useful to the plot. I even worked this collecting habit into the Imperial legend of “Abbot the Rat-catcher“, where it became an important part of the story.

Rats Are Dedicated Groomers

Despite what many people assume based on their living environments, rats are remarkably clean animals.

They spend an astonishing 20–30% of their day grooming themselves and other members of their group. They even clean their food before eating it.

The rats in Willomina Tip have to scurry and crawl through the dark and sometimes unsavory corners of the Imperial City, but they frequently stop to clean themselves before moving on to the next scene.

Rats Can Form Strong Bonds with Humans

Pet rat owners have known this for years.

Rats recognize their favorite people, remember experiences for long periods of time, enjoy playing, and often seek out affection from the humans they trust.

They’re curious, social, and surprisingly affectionate animals.

I majorly played into this side of my rats’ natures. My rat characters are deeply affectionate, loyal, and quick to respond to their friends’ needs. (And they really do save the day multiple times.)

How Rats Inspired Willomina Tip

I’ve spent years reading about how intelligently and wonderfully God designed rats; they are almost fantasy creatures with “magical” abilities in their own right. I knew this series was the perfect opportunity to give these remarkable little creatures a chance to shine.

Instead of creating another fantasy story where rats exist only to frighten the heroes, I wanted readers to meet characters who were clever, resourceful, loyal, and unforgettable.

Judging by the responses I’ve received from readers, that decision has paid off. My little rat friends have become some of the most memorable characters in the book.

While I enjoyed all of the side characters, my favorite of the new friends that Willomina made was Lady Rose, who is precious and needs to be protected. You’re just going to have to read the book to find out who she is. 😉

— E.F.B., Willomina Tip reviewer

Meet the Rats of Willomina Tip

If you’re ready to discover a fantasy adventure filled with floating cities, hidden tunnels, mysterious treasures, and some unforgettable rat companions, I’d love to introduce you to the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City.

You just might find yourself rooting for a rat before the story is over.

Okay, Fine…. I’ll Read About Rats
July 20, 2026
I Finally Published the Book I Dreamed About at 8 Years Old

I stood in the middle of the hallway, my bare feet digging into the carpet as I zoned out, watching my baby brother play. I had just emerged from the intriguing world of Frank and Joe Hardy in Bayport, Massachusetts, where no mystery remained unsolved so long as they were on the case.

Theirs wasn’t the only world I’d gotten lost in. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden in their boxcar in Greenfield. Nancy Drew in River Heights. Poppy the Mouse in the Dimwood Forest. Diggory and Polly in the Wood Between the Worlds.

Story after story after story had drawn me in, but at that moment, I was drawing them out. Each book had a pattern, a set of rules, ingredients combined in different variations that all produced a satisfying result. It was a formula that could be figured out: put the right pieces in the correct order and voila!

My mom walked by right as I concluded.

“Mom. I could do that. I could write a book.”

How My Childhood Prepared Me

9-year-old Grace who was good at stories, but bad at soccer and seeing clearly in bright sunlight.

I had no idea what kind of book I would end up publishing one day; I didn’t get that far when the epiphany first hit me in the hallway.

A lot of the preparation for this book happened unconsciously. I wasn’t always a great writer as a kid, but I was always great at playing pretend and building my own storyworlds.

Spinning a storyline and building a world was as easy as breathing to me. Set up a toy table and dishes, and boom, my sister and I were elegant English ladies having tea and a good gossip session. Assemble an entire wagon train in the living room, and suddenly my siblings and I were trailblazing to the Western frontier, always trying to stay one step ahead of bandits!

I even had an entire town-sized collection of Sweet Streets (best toys EVER), with detailed personality profiles, families, and ongoing storylines for every character. Every time I set up the town, I would pick up the story again. It was a Sweet Street-sized soap opera, right there in my living room.

I didn’t know it then, but I see now that I was training to be a professional worldbuilder. And the same skills that I used to play I have since used to build a rich and detailed world for Willomina Tip, from big-picture concepts like opposing cultural ideologies to in-depth flora and fauna such as the Esmeerian moss gems Willomina’s people are known for.

Moss gems from the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City — living moss preserved in sweet tree resin and crafted into meaningful gemstones.

From playtime to real time, I have been a worldbuilder, and the whimsical, steam-powered world of Willomina Tip is my biggest story yet.

The Story Behind Willomina Tip

I tossed around different ideas for my first book for years. Should I write one in my beloved mystery genre? Historical fiction? A fairytale?

A middle-grade steampunk novel wasn’t even on my radar. I didn’t even know what steampunk was until my teenage years. But better late than never, right?

The actual idea for Willomina Tip came from a larger collaboration.

In 2020, a friend called me with a pitch for a TV show set in a world of floating islands called Wandering Skies. We spent a week developing the concept with a small team, and something inside of me just came alive.

Over the next year, I wrote the first season, designed cultures and characters, and built an extensive world history and timeline. The world got richer and more exciting by the day, but getting the show off the ground was a different challenge, one that continues to this day.

As the years piled up, I realized I didn’t want people to wait forever to experience this world I’d fallen completely in love with.

What could I do to let people enjoy my story right here, right now?

Willomina Tip suddenly appeared. Her name, personality, and story arrived almost all at once, and I immediately loved her.

Willomina Tip is a book born at the intersection of creativity, community, and years of preparation.

What 21 Years of Writing Actually Looks Like

Ever seen someone become an overnight success? Most aren’t. It only appears that way because there are countless sleepless nights behind-the-scenes that you never witnessed.

I had big ambitions as a kid. I was going to be the best writer I knew. I was going to publish a book by the time I was 18, and I was going to make a name for myself. Oh, dear little me.

I had talent, I’ll give myself that, but it was raw and unformed. I would blush with embarrassment if you were to read my earliest book ideas and drafts.

The road to this beautiful book is paved with thousands of hours of writing, dozens of ugly or unfinished drafts, multiple rejections, and a lot of self-doubt.

Perseverance has been my faithful friend throughout the journey, and God has continued to prompt me so sweetly the whole way through.

Hang in there, baby girl, I’ve got stories for you to tell. Just keep writing.

So I did. Over time, people took notice.

I got hired to write some plays for an elementary class. I finally got a flash fiction story published in an online magazine. I was hired to work on some scripts here and there, and I had an editing gig now and then. Sometimes, I was a writing coach for someone else’s story. I sold my first children’s story a few years ago and couldn’t believe it. I even ended up working in a copywriting and digital advertising role that was a whole new side of storytelling.

Piece by piece, word by word, my path to my dream was paved.

Holding My Book for the First Time

I have often imagined what it would feel like to pour my heart, soul, and efforts into a story that I could finally hold in my hands. What would it be like to glance over at the shelf and see my book sitting alongside other books? You know, the ones written by “real authors.”

Well, here I am.

It took forever.

It took no time at all.

I am here, holding a book that little Grace would have read and then made her entire personality for at least a year. A core memory book. The book I always dreamed of writing but never imagined I was capable of.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s even mine; it’s that wondrous and strange to me. I know most of it by heart, and yet, it’s like meeting a new person every time I look at it.

This book was worth the wait.

Middle Grade Fantasy: A Gift for Younger Me

I look at this book in my hand, and I think back to that 8-year-old version of me.

This is not the book I knew I was going to write, but this is exactly the kind of book I needed.

Life had a lot in store for little Grace. Much of it was going to be painful and confusing. I would face battles I did not anticipate, my identity and sense of belonging would be under attack, and I would have to find my way through my own version of the Imperial City…just like Willomina.

It was going to be hard, and there would be scars from the journey. But in the end, I would emerge as Willomina does. Hopeful, her identity and purpose intact.

The stories we read as children have the power to shape the rest of our lives. My favorite stories as a kid were the ones that inspired me to believe, to try, and build something from nothing. God used those stories as a beacon of light to direct me through some of my darkest hours.

I wrote the very story I needed as an 8-year-old girl who first believed she could be a writer. Because in this world there are other little boys and girls, some of them I already know and love, and they need Willomina Tip to be their beacon of light and hope.

So, to little me.

You did it, baby girl. God got you here. It wasn’t what you thought it would be; it’s actually better.

And you are just getting started. 21 years may have been the preparation period, but the real work is just beginning.

Who’s ready to join the adventure with me?

Join the Adventure with Willomina Tip

May 28, 2026
What Is Steampunk? A Simple Guide for Kids + Parents
TL;DR

For those who don’t know, steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that features retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics prominently inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery and design. Often created as an alternative history, the Victorian Era and the American West are frequently the backdrops for this imaginative genre.

In this article, we will cover what steampunk is, how it’s used in culture, and how it’s the perfect genre to encourage kids to explore and create worlds of their own.

What is Steampunk for Kids?

Say the word “steampunk,” and you often get two reactions.

#1 – A blank stare of confusion

#2 – An image of someone wearing a top hat and aviator goggles (mustache or corset may or may not be included)

Steampunk has not been widely accepted or understood in popular culture for a long time, but it has thrived in smaller cultural niches, often with an edgier adult tone and darker aesthetic.

But that’s just one way to view the genre.

The actual definition of steampunk leaves it open to fresh (and kid-friendly) interpretations.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics prominently inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery and design. Often created as an alternative history, the Victorian Era and the American West are frequently the backdrops for this imaginative genre.

Science fiction plus 19th-century steam technology plus alternate history = awesome.

Steampunk Examples in Movies and Books

Steampunk worlds often feature airships, inventions, and alternate history settings.

Without a doubt, one of the most appealing aspects of steampunk is the machines and technology. Mysterious submarines, floating islands, airships, automatons, and mechs? It’s an absolute Candy Land for an artistic mind, but mixed with the nuts and bolts of practical science and technology that keep this genre grounded.

Jules Verne, whose work helped inspire what we now call steampunk, was one of the most respected voices in science fiction. The monstrous Nautilus featured in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a prime example of making futuristic (for the time, anyway) technology the shining star of an alternative history.

Hugo, set in the more modern 1930s, features a boy living in a Paris train station, where he maintains the station’s clocks and attempts to repair a beautiful old automaton.

The City of Ember takes place in a steampunk-like environment featuring rich worldbuilding and a post-apocalyptic society on the brink of collapse. To escape a dying underground city, the main characters must decipher a set of instructions and follow a pre-engineered path of escape created hundreds of years before by The Builders.

Probably the best-known examples of this genre are Disney’s beloved classics, Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. While Treasure Planet could be more correctly termed “space punk,” it still features airships, 19th-century technology in an alternative Victorian era, and the high-flying imagination steampunk is known for. Atlantis: The Lost Empire combines ancient history, alternative Victorian-era history, Atlantean magic, and magnificently futuristic technology into a hilarious adventure story.

What do all these stories have in common?
- Exploration
- Alternative historical settings
- Steam-powered technology
- Fantastical settings grounded in reality
That’s steampunk.

Why Steampunk Is Great for Kids

Kids are crazy smart. They can also be whimsical and will remain so if we nurture their creativity rather than squashing it.

Steampunk is the perfect intersection of creativity and intelligence. A world of floating islands = whimsical. Airship engines, water pumping systems, and factories = practical intelligence.

For your kids to understand steampunk, they need to engage their imagination and learn the practical realities of how and why things work. What propels the airship? How does it stay in the air? How could you manage an underground city with steampowered mechanics? What inventions would you need to make life work?

Your kids can also learn real history if they want to pull it apart to recreate it in their own steampunk worlds. What happened in the Victorian Era or American West in science, technology, and geopolitical spheres, and what pieces do you want to incorporate in your story? How can you take the grime and the glamor and make them your own?

Steampunk encourages an inventiveness that kids naturally possess and will grow in if we nurture them. (Seriously, have you ever tried to play a classic board game with a kid who ‘invented’ their own rules for it? No creativity lacking here!)

Before you know it, your kids will be building worlds and coming up with ideas that combine science, art, history, and their own imagination.

How Steampunk Inspires Creativity and Learning

As a fun way to engage with your kids, try these steampunk imagination activities.
- Ask: What powers your airship?
- Imagine: How does a floating city stay in the sky?
- Explore: What inventions would people need to survive?
- Create: What would your world look like?
Willomina Tip: My Steampunk World

I’ll be honest, steampunk wasn’t the genre I started with—but once I discovered it, I realized how powerful it is for building rich, imaginative worlds.

For Willomina, I turned my focus skyward. She is a child of the air, born of a world of floating islands, airships, and complex geopolitical forces.

Through her eyes, we are introduced to the practical realities of airships, trade agreements, coal-dependency, star navigation, and steam-powered water systems.

I also included whimsical elements, like the Gem Forest on Willomina’s beloved home island, and the Legend of Polaris, which tells the story of brave adventurers who saved the light of the Northern Star.

My world is one you can touch, taste, smell, feel, and imagine, familiar, and yet it’s entirely unique and unknown.

That’s the power of steampunk, and it’s a power you can harness to inspire your kids today.

Free Steampunk Writing Prompts for Kids (Printable PDF)

Creative writing prompts help kids build imagination and storytelling skills.

Spark your kids’ creativity with these prompts to help build their imagination, storytelling skills, and confidence.

Inside this free PDF, you’ll find:

An airship adventure prompt – Captain of the Skies

A mystery and stealth scenario – Hidden in the City

A high-stakes exploration – Treasure in the Sea

These prompts are perfect for:
- Parents and homeschool families
- Teachers and classroom activities
- Young writers who love fantasy and steampunk worlds
To get the most out of these prompts:
- Set a 10–15 minute timer.
- Let kids draw before they write.
- Encourage “what if” thinking.
- Focus on creativity—not perfection.
Download Your Free Steampunk Writing Prompts

Get started on your steampunk adventure!

Now that you know what steampunk is, it’s time to explore!

And there’s no better place to start than through the wondrous eyes of a child.

Begin Willomina’s Story

Fly well!

Grace (author of Willomina Tip)
March 6, 2026
Books Like City of Ember (Best Middle Grade Picks)

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March 6, 2026

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