by Contributing Editor Sylvia C. Hall
Everyone has creative juices. Some of us just need to be squeezed a little more to get them flowing! Try these 3 ideas to get your creative juices flowing! Then, start writing. Your perfect idea is just the start to your writing success!
Here’s Your Mail, m’am!
1. Ask yourself “What If?” What if I answered the door, and the mailman was a turtle? What if I woke up with a tail? What if I could fly? The possibilities are endless when you simply ask yourself…”What if?”
2. Write a list of “I remember when…” Try to go back as far as you can remember. When you can clearly remember an event or situation that usually means it was special to you. Try to find a memory, which is somewhat clear in your mind. Use these clearer memories to write specific details; it will make your writing even more original!
3. Ask yourself, if I could read the perfect story right now, what would it be? Once you realize what you want to read, WRITE IT! The best way to write an interesting story is to write a story YOU want to read. If you care about your story and the characters in your story, readers will too! Follow your interests in life to find your interests in writing.
Remember, don’t be afraid. If you have an idea, start writing. If it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, you can always start over or try a new idea. The only way to fail as a writer is to stop writing. You will become a great writer if you keep practicing, and learn to become fearless with your pen and paper! As President Roosevelt said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Jump In. Be Fearless!
creative writing getting kids to write Sylvia C. Hall Writing Tipscreative writing getting kids to write Sylvia C. Hall Writing Tipscreative writing,
getting kids to write,
Sylvia C. Hall,
Writing Tips
Title: Wag A Tail
Written and Illustrated by: Lois Ehlert
Hardback: 40 pages
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
Ages: Baby-Preschool
ISBN: 978-0152058432
Publication: April 1, 2007
Wag a Tail is a fantastic book with great images and quick, rhyming text.
The beginning of the book has an author’s note, which explains how the book was put together. Ehlert says the book was created quite similarly “like a quilt.” Fabric scraps and bits and pieces of papers were used to form the beautiful collage images. Ehlert used scrap pieces from her other books, such as “Leaf Man” and “Top Cat.” The images in the book are vibrant and eye catching and they add a lot of appeal, especially for younger readers.
The book starts off with a sign pointing to “Farmer’s Market” (thataway!). From there, readers discover a wonderful singsong adventure between graduate dogs of the “Bow Wow School.”
“Wag a tail.
Wag a tail.
We know how.
Wig Wag Zig Zag
Let’s play now!”
The language is colorful and it sings off the page like jazz. The end of the book has a “guide” that identifies all the dog graduates from the “Bow Wow School.” But can these city dogs be obedient at the city market? What makes these “Bow Wow” graduates so cool? This book is guaranteed to educate and entertain!
************
Reviewed by Sylvia C. Hall
book review childrens book review Lois Ehlert Picture Books Sylvia C. Sylvia C. Hall Wag a Tailbook review childrens book review Lois Ehlert Picture Books Sylvia C. Sylvia C. Hall Wag a Tailbook review,
childrens book review,
Lois Ehlert,
Picture Books,
Sylvia C.,
Sylvia C. Hall,
Wag a Tail
Title: CDC
Written & Illustrated by: William Steig
Hardback: 64 pages
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Ages: 9-12
ISBN: 978-0374312336
Publication: September 1, 2003
CDC is an excellent book for summer fun. It combines fun pictures with puzzle-like text, allowing readers to solve the “riddles.”
CDC is a hilarious and challenging new way to sit down and enjoy a book. By combining letters to make words in untraditional ways, CDC will stretch your brain! Here are a few examples for you to try out:
C-D-C?
E-R I M!
U F B-D I-S
The book is filled with excellent pictures to help as clues, and with 57 fun riddles, this book is sure to provide endless fun. Each page has a different riddle, and all the “answers” can be found at the back of the book. But, try to avoid the temptation to keep peeking to the back of the book for the answers! Oftentimes, the “answer” will become clear if only you give yourself an extra minute to figure it out!
Try reading it with your kids, or make it into a family game. It’s almost like detective work! Find out who is the best detective in your family! You might be surprised!
Okay, are you ready for the answers? (You haven’t been peeking, have you?)
C-D-C? = See the Sea?
E-R I M! = Here I am!
U F B-D I-S = You have beady eyes.
*******************
Reviewed by Sylvia C. Hall
book review CDC Picture Books Sylvia C. Sylvia C. Hall William Steigbook review CDC Picture Books Sylvia C. Sylvia C. Hall William Steigbook review,
CDC,
Picture Books,
Sylvia C.,
Sylvia C. Hall,
William Steig
.jpg?picon=694)