I always enjoyed writing with children — the entire process. We saw story potential everywhere and found inspiration in the things they said or did as well as in everyday occurrences and special events. It was great to wonder and consider the what ifs as we brainstormed and developed ideas and let our excitement pour out in words on the paper. Sharing our original stories with an appreciative audience gave purpose to the process and added to the enjoyment.
In this post, I share a delightful little book called You can be a writer written by author Teena Raffa-Mulligan that encourages and supports children as writers in similar ways. It is great for children to use at home or at school and would be a useful resource for parents or teachers as they foster their children’s interest in writing.
I previously introduced you to Teena when I interviewed her about her fun story for young readers The Apostrophe Posse.
About Teena Raffa-Mulligan
Teena Raffa-Mulligan has been having fun with words for as long as she can remember. She discovered the wonderful world of storytelling as a child and decided to become a writer at an early age. Teena is the author of more than 20 books for children and many of her short stories and poems have appeared in magazines and anthologies. Teena is an experienced presenter whose author talks and workshops focus on inspiring and encouraging children to write their own stories.
About You can be a writer
From the blurb:
Anyone can write stories. You can too!
Writing stories is like having an adventure.
This book will lead you on your own story adventure.
Imagination is your passport. It can take you anywhere.
Start with an idea…choose your characters…decide where they live and when their story takes place…think about what could happen to them.
Follow the simple instructions in this book and write your own story to share.
What I like about You can be a writer
You can be a writer is written for children and speaks directly to them, explaining that people from all walks of life are writers and that they can be writers too. It explains where ideas for stories come from — anywhere — and how to ask questions to develop those ideas and make their stories grow. It explains story elements like plot, characters and setting and suggests planning as a useful tool in developing a story. The importance of editing is also included as is the reminder that reading is one of the best ways of becoming a better writer.
I like that children can pick up this book and follow the instructions on their own. Each step is clearly explained with examples of questions writers ask themselves to move their stories along. It is also a useful tool for parents and teachers who wish to support children as writers, providing them with words to use and steps to follow.
I can think of many budding writers who would enjoy working through this book on their own and I would have found it useful as both a parent and a teacher.
In my opinion, Teena Raffa-Mulligan has explained the process of writing perfectly for young children and made it seem enticingly simple and exciting, inviting children to use their imaginations to embark on a writing adventure. I am more than happy to recommend this delightful book.
This post is part of a Books on Tour Promotion.
Find out more about Teena Raffa-Mulligan
from her website: Teena Raffa-Mulligan
or her blog: In Their Own Write
Connect with her on social media
Facebook: Teena Raffa-Mulligan.Author
Or read more on the Books on Tour website or from any of the other blogs engaged in this tour.
While you are here, check out the readilearn literacy resources that support children’s writing development and explore the complete readilearn collection of
over 450 teaching resources for the first three years of school
Resources beyond worksheets – lessons for teachers made by teachers.
Let readilearn lighten your workload.
If you haven’t already, follow @readilearn on Twitter and readilearnteachingresources on Instagram and like the readilearnteachingresources Facebook page.
I appreciate your feedback and comments. Please share your thoughts below.
Thank you, Jim. I love encouraging young people to write their own stories as much as I enjoy writing for them.
I’m pleased to hear that, Jacqui. There are now teacher notes and activities on my website so feel free to check them out.
Chel, I did have fun putting it together.
Robbie, the idea of putting it together grew out of my sessions in schools and it is based around activities I’ve done with children.
Thank you, Susan. I hope it does encourage children to stretch their imaginations.
just tried to share on FB but … 🙁 … restricted 🙁 🙁 🙁
Fb has pulled the plug on Australian news content. A lot of others have gone down the gurgler as well. Me included, it seems.
Thanks for trying. 🙂
Wonderful Teena, children will learn how to articulate their ideas better and are given ways to move their imagination and story forward. Thanks for sharing this Norah!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Susan. It is a very useful book.
what a great way to encourage young writers…
It definitely is, Jim.
Love the review. I have lesson plans (as I’m sure you do, Norah) that lay out how to let kids write a book. This one would be a perfect addition.
It is very helpful to children or adults wanting to support them.
This sounds fun!
It is a lovely book.
A most interesting idea for a book for children, Norah.
It is excellent, Robbie.