“31 Days in Ancient Nineveh: A September Art & Journaling Challenge to Awaken Your Inner Time Traveller”

What do you think of the time-travelling happening in The Physician of Ninevah by Glen Cooper? I thought it was a very interesting paradox that the Assyrian experts were trying to find answers in the past, and our hero is looking into the future to find the solution he needed. It reminds us that we need to learn from the past and look to the future.

I thought a Time Traveller Challenge would be a fun activity for September. If you do not want to follow the prompt exactly, feel free to tweak it to be fun for you.

“Time Traveller: 31 Days in Nineveh” September art and journaling challenge:

1. Step into Ancient Nineveh—journal or sketch your arrival.

2. Draw an Assyrian cuneiform tablet or create your own healing symbol.

3. Illustrate or describe a Mesopotamian plant remedy.

4. Journal: How would you decorate your home in Nineveh?

5. Design a personal amulet or talisman for protection.

6. Draw the city gates or describe your first impressions walking through them.

7. Invent a character—healer, scribe, or artisan—describe or sketch them.

8. Collage or illustrate a motif from an Assyrian wall relief (lions, bulls, processions).

9. Journal: What would a day in the life of your book’s character look like?

10. Sketch or plan an ancient marketplace—what items would you buy or trade?

11. Write a short story or poem about a healing miracle.

12. Journal: What would you be nervous or excited to learn from Nineveh’s healers?

13. Illustrate a favorite quote from the Physician of Nineveh.

14. Design an ancient letter or scroll—try aging the paper with tea/ink.

15. Draw or describe a mystical animal from Assyrian legend (such as a Lamassu).

16. Reflect: What ritual would bring you peace or courage in Old Assyria?

17. Create a papercraft or collage of ancient jewelry or crown designs.

18. Sketch a “treasure” you’d hide in the Royal Library.

19. Journal: How would you help a stranger in ancient Nineveh?

20. Draw your dream “planner page” in Mesopotamian style.

21. Letter your name inspired by Assyrian script.

22. Design a mythical map of your favorite locations from the book.

23. Doodle a desert or garden scene—plants, irrigation channels, sun.

24. Journal: What hope or wish would you ask of an ancient god?

25. Draw an “Assyrian feast”—foods, drinks, utensils, or scene.

26. Journal: What piece of modern knowledge would you share in Nineveh?

27. Collage or sketch magical symbols seen in palace art.

28. Invent and illustrate your own “healing festival” for the city.

29. Describe or heal a fictional malady with your unique Ninevite cure.

30. Reflect or journal gratitude for lessons learned from ancient stories.

31. Create a cover or title page to celebrate completing the challenge!

When you complete your 31-day challenge, I will post a surprise for you. Have fun and be sure to enjoy the new Glen Cooper Novel, The Physician of Ninevah.

Read my review here.