Goal: Within Pages 1–4, make the hero’s problem explicit, introduce at least one obstacle/cost, and establish a because → so causal link so the story has real drive.
1) Why you must have an “engine”
- Kids read for stakes, not scenery: they engage only when they see “there’s a problem—and it’s hard.”
- Action without direction = boring: walking/eating without a why feels empty.
- Causality makes pages cohere: a causal chain avoids “scene collage” and creates natural momentum.
Memory hook: Problem (What’s wrong?) + Obstacle (But…) → Causal chain (So → Then)
2) Common missteps (contrast examples)
| Misstep | ❌ No engine | ✅ Engine in place |
|---|---|---|
| Action without a problem | “The turtle walked. The rabbit ate. The forest was nice.” | “Hare challenges Tortoise to a race. Animals draw a line.” |
| Problem without an obstacle | “Tom wants his kite to fly.” | “Tom wants his kite to fly, but the wind stops.” |
| No causal link | “They go to the lake. Then to the shop.” | “The rain starts, so they run to the shop for cover.” |
3) Three-step quick fix (must complete within P1–P4)
P1: State the hero’s problem
“Tom wants his kite high.”
“A raptor wants to keep the strange egg.”P2–P3: Add an obstacle or cost
“But the wind dies.”
“But the herd calls from afar.”P4: Build the causal chain (Because/So/Then)
“Because wind stops, Tom runs uphill — so the kite might rise again.”
“Because the egg is misplaced, the herd searches — so danger follows.”
One-line takeaway
Engine = Problem + Obstacle + Causal chain. Within P1–P4, give kids a clear what’s wrong + what’s in the way, so the story can actually run.
Next up: A03 | Weak Progression: Ensure a new beat or upgrade every ≤3 pages