PPBF: S is for Story

 A Writer's Alphabet

Author: Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrator: Zachary Pullen
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Date: 2009

Age Range: 8 through adult...something for everyone!

Themes: Writers, Stories, Art of Writing.

First Lines: "A is for the Alphabet our letters six plus twenty, that build the words, that build the tales, we read and write aplenty.
People have been telling tales forever. But how they came to write those tales for others to read is a whole different story..."

Synopsis from the book jacket: In S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, an A to Z journey through a Writer's life and process, author Esther Hershenhorn masterfully connects the reader and writer. Writer's tips and inspiring quotes dot the entries, from A is for the Alphabet and D is for Drafts, through K is for Four Kinds of Writing on to the end.



Why I like this book: It's a primer for adult writers as well...chock full of interesting tidbits to use as we hone our craft! The illustrations are clear and bright, and although I'm not crazy about the children's faces, they perfectly reflect everyday children we see on a daily basis. I give the book 5 stars!!

Resources/Links:

This one is all you need, with 25 pages of activities related to the book:

http://sleepingbearpremss.com/teachingguides/StoryGuide.pdf



Here is a quote from the book I think you will find interesting:

"A successful revision requires time and patience.
Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat began as a challenge from his publisher to use up to 250 words from a list of 300 to 400 words to write a reading primer children would not be able to put down.
Dr. Seuss figured "he could knock it off in a week or so.". The book's numerous revisions took a year and half."

I'm so glad he kept plugging away...this was one of my favorite childhood books!

This review is inspired by Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book series for Parents, Teachers and Librarians.  Looking for a good book on a certain topic?  Check out her link here.

Do you have a Work in Progress that is frustrating you? Keep on keeping on...children will thank you some day!