Give your imagination a scene to work with.

Twelve unusual pairings

1. Lighthouse + forest.
2. Bicycle + moon.
3. Library + clouds.
4. Teacup + ocean.
5. Robot + garden.
6. Train + mountain of books.
7. Umbrella + stars.
8. Snail + post office.
9. Clock + tree.
10. Door + desert.
11. Paper boat + city street.
12. Pencil + tiny planet.

Three scenes in a floating library

Beginning: a visitor climbs a ladder to a library on a cloud. Middle: the book they need floats beyond reach. Ending: they fold a page marker into a little glider and use it to bring the book back. Sketch each action with one main object and one character. Label the example as fantasy if using it in educational content.

Choose the ending first

Decide what changes: the character finds a route, shares something or learns to ask for help. Draw the final scene, then the starting situation. Add only the middle action needed to connect them. An unusual setting should support the story rather than obscure it.

Fill-in outline

Use these lines: “My character wants ___. The unusual place is ___. The obstacle is ___. They try ___. The final image shows ___.” Read the five answers aloud. If the story is unclear without an explanation of your explanation, simplify the obstacle.

Considering a whiteboard video tool?

If your next step is an illustrated video, our InstaDoodle buying guide explains the vendor’s published approach, what to verify and where this style may fit.

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