S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet (Alphabet Books) [Hardcover]

Esther Hershenhorn (Author), Zachary Pullen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2011 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Alphabet Books

What is a first draft? What is a writer’s notebook? Authur Esther Hershenhorn uses the alphabet to help explain, explore and examines the tools, techniques and strategies for those hoping to live the literary life. Budding writers of all ages will be inspired to put pen to paper (or fingers on keyboards)!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—From "A is for the Alphabet" to "T stands for Tall Tales," to "Z? It's for masked Zorro./His Z-signed tales brought fame," Hershenhorn describes the different parts of the writing process, styles, genres, and strategies. Illustrations take up most of the pages while the text is on the sides. Most pages have a quote from a children's author, such as Linda Sue Park, Lois Lowry, and Kathleen Krull, who talk about their work. The poems for each letter are well written, and the book includes several writing tips for readers. Pullen's illustrations enhance Hershenhorn's text and bring the writing process alive. The only downside of this book is that the text is in extremely small print, which is likely to turn off most young readers, and it tends to ramble on and on.—Katie Cerasale-Messina, AC Whelan Elementary School, Revere, MA
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About the Author

Author and writing coach, Esther Hershenhorn admits S is for Story is the book she wishes she'd owned as a little girl, dreaming of a writing career. She lives in Chicago, where she teaches Writing for Children at the University of Chicago's Writer's Studio and the Newberry Library.

Zachary Pullen's picture-book illustrations have won awards and garnered starred reviews. He has been honored several times with acceptance into the prestigous Society of Illustrators juried shows and Communication Arts Illustration Annual of the best in current illustration. Zak lives in Wyoming.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (October 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585364398
• ISBN-13: 978-1585364398
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 11.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #581,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book that young people will cherish and one day will want to emulate its brilliance in their own work!, November 7, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet (Alphabet Books) (Hardcover)

If you are a young aspiring writer, you've probably already learned your ABCs, leastways if you've passed kindergarten, and want to learn about the ABCs of writing, this is one book you'll want to take a look at. You'll learn a bit about how the alphabet itself came about and then how the Egyptians invented paper to replace stone and clay tablets. We've come a long way since then and now we can even read books electronically online or by devices such as the Kindle. In this book you will learn about character development, drafts, editorial skills, genres, brainstorming, Journaling, writing styles, observation, plot, and much more. This is a book that you'll cherish and one day will want to emulate its brilliance in your own work.

"X is for eXpression-
well-ordered words held dear,
that best reveal
what one might feel
or see or think or hear."

I was surprised to see that this was not just another alphabet book, but rather one in which there were many unexpected words of wisdom to the writer hidden in its pages. The reader is in for a real treat when hints pop up from the likes of everyone from one of my favorites, Katherine Paterson, to J.K. Rowling. For example one tidbit from Paterson states that "the writer's job is to create round, not flat, characters. Know each story character from the inside out helps you to do just that." Each letter is graced by a sidebar of writers' thoughts and tips pertinent to the theme presented in the rhyme. The artwork, needless to say, is phenomenal and Zachary Pullen's wide-eyed children always have great appeal. This is juvenile literature, however if you are a writer, young or old, you just might want to grab up a copy of this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "S is for Story" is sure to boost literacy scores and library usage everywhere, November 19, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet (Alphabet Books) (Hardcover)

"S is for Story" is Esther Hershenhorn's imaginative, alphabetic appeal to young would-be authors everywhere who only need a bit of encouragement or even just permission to begin their writing careers. Here you will find succinct, clear definitions of the basic tools and terms of writers, from "G is for genre" to "R is for revision." Brightly bouncing illustrations of Zachary Pullen enliven each paragraph and letter. Sho knew that writing could be so accessible even for the young? Who knew how much fun writing and reading could be? "S is for Story" may be read either as a preschooler's alphabet book or an elementary school age child's introduction to writing terms and techniques. "S is for Story" is sure to boost literacy scores and library usage everywhere.