The Write Stuff:
7 Books to Get Kids Writing
by Liz Lesnick
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” —Ernest Hemingway
I think everyone can relate to Hemingway’s feelings about writing. Sometimes the ideas come easily, but it’s hard to find the right words; other times it’s a struggle to know how to even begin. If you have an aspiring writer in your house, or a child struggling with a writing assignment for school, here are some of my favorite books that provide inspiration, encouragement, and practical advice.
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Author: A True Story
Helen Lester, author of one of our family’s favorite picture books, Tacky the Penguin, shares how she overcame her own childhood struggles with writing to become a “real” author. Filled with encouragement, advice, and humor, Author: A True Story will enchant and inspire even the youngest writers.
[Ages 5-8]Preorder from: -
The Best Story
Available from:Once upon a time, a girl wants to enter the library’s story contest, but she can’t figure out how to write a story. She gets advice from family and friends about what makes a story good. As you can imagine, everyone has their own take on what they like in a story. Young writers (and readers) will be entertained and inspired by Eileen Spinelli’s quirky heroine and Anne Wilsdorf’s lively illustrations.
[Ages 5-8]Also available from: -
My Book About Me by ME, Myself
Available from:When a friend gave my daughter My Book About Me for her fourth birthday, I think I was more excited than she was. I remembered how much I loved making my own book about me and the thrill of being encouraged to write in a “real” book. Each page has a question or an activity for kids to complete about themselves asked in a way that can only be described as “Seussian.” I still haven’t found a better way to get kids excited about writing.
[Ages 4-8]Also available from: -
Q&A a Day for Kids
Available from:Keeping a journal is a great way to exercise your writing muscles, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to write. Q&A a Day for Kids solves that problem with a thoughtful question from children’s author Betsy Franco on each page. Even children who aren’t writing on their own can answer the questions and have a grown-up record them in the diary. I gave this to a friend who told me that she sets aside time each evening to do an entry with her young son, and when she forgets, he dutifully reminds her that he can’t go to bed until they’ve done his question.
[Ages 4-12]Also available from: -
My Weird Writing Tips
Many kids find writing assignments daunting and overwhelming. And many parents, including yours truly, aren’t sure how to help get their kids started. Thank goodness for Dan Gutman and his My Weird Writing Tips. Gutman pulls off a rare feat, teaching and entertaining at the same time. Gutman covers a wide range of topics including grammar tips and narrative structure. Illustrations, featuring characters from his popular My Weird School series, make the lessons fun and clear.
[Ages 8-12]Preorder from: -
Writing Magic
I love to get expert advice, especially when it’s from someone whose work I admire. In Writing Magic, Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted, shares tips and tricks to help you get writing. This invaluable volume is filled with ideas about how to craft a story and develop characters and overcome writer’s block.
Carson Levine has penned a companion to Writing Magic called Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink.
[Ages 8-12]Preorder from: -
Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook
After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice, authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this handbook for young writers. Mazer and Potter offer anecdotes along with practical advice on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot, and make revisions.
[Ages 9-14]Preorder from:
