Twisting the Tropes: When Picture Books Flip the Script

You know that moment when you think you know exactly where a picture book is going—then WHAM! It zigs instead of zags? We LOVE that.

In fact, flipping a familiar trope is one of the smartest—and funniest—ways to craft a story that feels fresh and unforgettable.

Take a tired theme like “a scary monster under the bed.” Now make that monster terrified of the dark. Suddenly, readers are wide-eyed, giggling, and totally hooked.

Here are three picture books that start with something familiar… and then twist it like a curly fry.

Twisted Trope Example 1:

I Am Not a Dog Toy by Ethan T. Berlin, illustrated by Jared Chapman

TROPE: Toys are lifeless until humans aren’t looking.
TWIST: Bear knows he’s a stuffed animal—but he does NOT want to be chewed, slobbered on, or drooled over by a dog. He’s determined to find a “real friend” instead. This hilarious tale flips the loyal-companion trope and serves it with side-eye sass and chewy charm.

Twisted Trope Example 2:

How to Be a Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald

TROPE: The classic brave hero faces a challenge and conquers it.

TWIST: In How to Be a Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald, the twist comes when the hero is a young girl named CeCe who doesn’t fit the traditional pirate mold. Instead of setting out to prove her physical bravery, she discovers her inner strength through her grandpa’s stories and redefines what it means to be a hero. The twist? The real adventure isn’t about swords or treasure, but about heart and courage in unexpected ways.

Twisted Trope Example 3:

There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers

TROPE: Haunted house = run from the spooky scares.
TWIST: The narrator wants to find a ghost. She lives in a big, creaky house and can’t figure out why she hasn’t spotted one yet. But we readers see ghosts on every page. An innovative, eerie, interactive twist on ghost stories.

What can YOU do with a tired trope?

• Ask: What’s the opposite of what readers expect?
• Flip the power. Shouldn’t the knight rescue the princess? Let the princess rescue herself—or even better, the knight.
• Make the feared one fearful. Make the villain kind. Make the hero… a wombat.

Give the familiar a funky hat and surprise us.

Because when you twist a trope, you spark originality. And originality = unforgettable.

Now go forth and flip something!

Don’t miss the other posts in this series:

• Using Personal Experience to Create Originality in Your Picture Books
• Playing with Point of View

Looking for more tips to improve your picture book writing skills? Look no further than our free download HERE!