The National Writing for Children Center

Making Family History Come Alive - This Week’s Teaching Tip!

by Amy M. O’Quinn Every family has a story, and children are naturally curious about their heritage. They like to hear about the ‘olden days’ when their parents or grandparents were little boys and girls. In fact, they are usually amazed that there was actually a time when there were no cell phones, microwave ovens, televisions, or even indoor plumbing. But more than that, learning about their own special lineage, culture, and heritage gives children a connection to the past, a foundation, and a stronger sense of belonging as they pursue their futures. It also creates a fun opportunity to delve ...

Silver Phoenix - A Review

Reviewed by Suzanne Lieurance Title: Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia Author: Cindy Pon Reading level: Young Adult Publisher: HarperTeen, 1 edition (April 28, 2009) ISBN-10: 0061730211 ISBN-13: 978-0061730214 Generally, I prefer books that do NOT start off with a prologue. I like to cut right to the chase to find out what's happening NOW instead of reading a lot of background information to set the stage for chapter one. But I was immediately sucked into the story when I read the first paragraph of the prologue in Silver Phoenix because it skillfully transported me to another time and place and left me with many ...

Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just 6 Weeks

If you’ve been struggling to become a published children’s writer with little or no success, chances are you haven’t spent the time, money, and effort required to first learn the “business” of writing for children. And writing and publishing for children IS a business. Creating a marketable manuscript for children means more than simply writing a cute little story with kids as the main characters. Writers also need to know the business of writing for children, which includes many tricks of the trade. I’m excited to announce the launch of my new 6-week e-course for aspiring children’s writers. Click here to learn more!

Instructional CDs

Individual CDs of teleclasses for freelance writers - Each CD is approximately 55 minutes long and provides instruction for some aspect of writing for children. Each CD is only $19.97, which includes the cost of shipping in the continental U.S. only. Click on the following titles to order: The Hero's Journey - Part 1 with Lila Guzman The Hero's Journey - Part 2 with Lila Guzman The Hero's Journey - Part 3 with Lila Guzman The Hero's Journey - Parts 1, 2 and 3 with Lila Guzman - all 3 for only $53.97 - save $6.00

Lucy and the Bully - A Review

Reviewed by Irene Roth for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Lucy and the Bully Author: Claire Alexander Reading Level: Ages 4 - 8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-8075-4786-1 Claire Alexander's book is a sad but uplifting book about bullying. Bullying has become a real problem in today's culture, and because of this, this book is of extreme importance to kids. Alexander's story is simple and has wonderful illustrations. It will help young children talk openly and honestly about bullying. But most importantly, Alexander assures ...

You Are Friendly - a Review

Reviewed by Irene S. Roth, for the National Writing For Children Center Title: You are Friendly Author: Todd Snow Illustration: Melodee Strong Reading Level: Ages 4-6 Soft Cover: 22 pages Publisher: Maren Green Publishing, Inc., 2008 ISBN: 987-1-934277-18-8 Todd Snow's book is a wonderfully crafted story about friendliness. The author shows the many ways individuals can be friendly. Kids will absolutely love Snow's way of illustrating emotions and gestures of friendliness. What the reader finds out is that there are so many ways of being friendly. And friendliness makes other people feel warm and good. Friendliness also makes people happy. And sometimes, when we are friendly, ...

Hope is an Open Heart - a Review

Reviewed by Irene Roth for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Hope Is an Open Heart Author: Laurie Thompson Reading Level: Ages 4 - 8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-545-03737-2 Lauren Thompson's book is an uplifting story about hope. We've all had days when we felt hopeless. Hope sometimes seemed to be so far away, and the world was cold and dark. Thankfully, hope can come to us in many different ways. And Thompson illustrates this excellently in her wonderfully crafted book. Thompson's book ...