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The Story Behind The Squiggle Elf

Discover how a playful family tradition became a joyful picture book that inspires children to imagine, create, tell stories, and connect together.

Two children, a girl and a boy, are on a makeshift cardboard boat shaped like a pirate ship, sailing on water in a forested area. The girl is pointing ahead, while the boy is drawing on the boat with crayons. The boat has a skull and crossbones flag, and a bird is flying above. The scene includes drawing papers, a toy fish, and scenic mountains and a spaceship in the background.

Unlock your child’s creativity

From a Simple Squiggle to an Entire Story

Designed for children aged 3–8, The Squiggle Elf is a fun activity that engages imagination and helps strengthen narrative skills.

After reading the book, begin with a blank page and draw a simple line. Your child can transform that squiggle into anything they imagine—a character, an animal, a magical place, or something completely unexpected.

Once the picture is complete, the child creates a story inspired by the drawing. Before bedtime, the artwork and story are left out for the Squiggle Elf to discover.

During the night, the Squiggle Elf may leave a note, tell a joke, add a sticker, or create squiggle art of their own. Every visit can be different, just like every child’s imagination.

Creativity with purpose

More Than a Picture Book

The Squiggle Elf helps children explore ideas, express themselves, develop storytelling skills, and build creative confidence through play.

Imaginative Thinking

Children discover unlimited possibilities inside one simple line.

Creative Confidence

Every creation is unique, helping children trust and share their own ideas.

Narrative Skills

Pictures become meaningful stories with characters, details, and adventures.

Joyful Connection

A creative activity becomes a memorable family or classroom tradition.

A girl with brown hair in a ponytail sitting at a table, smiling and looking at a drawing of a fish, mouse, and rabbit inside a thought bubble. The table has art supplies, a jar of purple water, and a blue mug with paintbrushes. The background features purple striped wallpaper and string lights.

The origin of The Squiggle Elf

A Childhood Tradition That Became a Book

The Squiggle Elf first came to life during author Shana’s childhood.

Shana’s mother, Belinda, was a schoolteacher who used squiggle drawings and storytelling to help children develop narrative and critical-thinking skills. She brought the idea home and turned it into a magical tradition for Shana and her brother, Kenton.

1

A Squiggle Was Drawn

Shana and Kenton transformed a simple line into funny, unusual, and imaginative artwork.

2

A Story Was Created

Each drawing inspired its own characters, ideas, and wonderfully outrageous adventures.

3

The Elf Came to Visit

While they slept, the Squiggle Elf left a note, a sticker, or another playful surprise.

Children drawing and coloring on a colorful, abstract background with drawings of a yellow submarine, purple dinosaur, pink fish, blue sailboat, orange octopus, and a child holding a green marker.

From one family to yours

A Tradition Made to Be Shared

Each morning, Shana and Kenton would rush downstairs to discover what the Squiggle Elf had written. The activity filled their home with curiosity, laughter, creativity, and connection.

Years later, when Shana became a mother, she continued the tradition with her own children. Through this book, families and educators everywhere can now bring the same experience into their own homes and classrooms.

“The creative possibilities are limitless, as are the giggles and joy that come from making art and telling stories from a simple squiggle.”

The Squiggle Elf can’t wait to visit you.

Yellow background with semi-transparent white circles in the upper right corner.

Begin the adventure

Start Your Own Squiggle Elf Tradition

Turn a simple line into a world of imagination, storytelling, laughter, and meaningful connection.