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wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect story for talking to students about the writing process. Love the crazy illustrations!
geckoedit's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect for the first or second day of writers workshop.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
Another picture book to add to my favorite books to use as writing mentor texts. LOVED this one.
tashrow's review
4.0
The Red Brick Library was having a contest for writing the best story. So the main character heads home and asks her various family members what makes a story the best. She incorporates each idea, including lots of action, humor, and romance. She ends up with a jumbled story, until her mother tells her the the best story is the one that comes from the author's heart. She sits down and writes a completely new story about the things she loves, and no longer worries about whether she will win the contest or not because she is so proud of her story.
Spinelli has created a book that really talks to children about how books are written and how stories are created. She accomplishes this without being didactic at all, instead using humor to make her point. Wilsdorf's cartoony illustrations also help set the tone of lightness in the book, filled with manic action and bright colors. The final point that writers must write what they know and love is powerfully done, but not too much so. The end nicely balances with the rest of the book.
Recommended for writing units in elementary school and for sharing in story times. It might also be an interesting book to pair with an author visit and lead children to ask questions about the process of writing.
Spinelli has created a book that really talks to children about how books are written and how stories are created. She accomplishes this without being didactic at all, instead using humor to make her point. Wilsdorf's cartoony illustrations also help set the tone of lightness in the book, filled with manic action and bright colors. The final point that writers must write what they know and love is powerfully done, but not too much so. The end nicely balances with the rest of the book.
Recommended for writing units in elementary school and for sharing in story times. It might also be an interesting book to pair with an author visit and lead children to ask questions about the process of writing.
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