The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children (Write for kids library) (Paperback)

~ Nancy Lamb (Author) "Most people think writing for children is easier than writing for adults..." (more)
Key Phrases: magic hour, hero quest, damn good novel, Harry Potter, Maniac Magee, Holden Caulfield (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

For four years, I have been searching for a book to use as a text . . . finally I have found one. -- Ann Paul, children's writing instructor, UCLA Extension

For four years, I have been searching for a book to use as a text...finally I have found one. -- Ann Paul, children's writing instructor, UCLA Extension

I think it is the best book on the craft of writing that I have ever read. -- Andrea Brown, literary agent

It's all here—everything you need to know . . . a 'must have' for every novice or professional writer. -- Janet Zaren, children's book reviewer for the Palisadian-Post

It's all here—everything you need to know...a 'must have' for every novice or professional writer. -- Janet Zaren, children's book reviewer for the Palisadian-Post

Product Description

The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children offers detailed information and an in-depth examination of storytelling and story structure. Books on writing for children sell exceedingly well, so it's surprising that no other book focuses on this important aspect of the craft.

Using examples from classic and contemporary sources, Nancy Lamb explores all the key elements of children's storytelling, from point of view to structure to plotting and pacing.

Taking a hands-on approach, Lamb uses worksheets, exercises, and checklists to show writers how to capture and keep a young reader's attention, whether the topic is fact or fiction.

* The newest addition to the Write for Kids Library!
* Unique topic--focuses specifically on storytelling and structure
* In-depth instruction features checklists, exercises and quotes from the pros
* Lively design--open and inviting, easy to browse, with recurring icons and illustrations throughout

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 1st edition (September 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582970521
• ISBN-13: 978-1582970523
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

122 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the very best texts on writing, May 4, 2003

By	Dr. Charles Connor (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Some months back I received unbidden a copy of The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children. Looking at the "for Children" part of the title, I briefly considered it for possible use as a reference for any of my students who might be interested in writing children's books. I put the book on the shelf and forgot about it. Finding myself recently in search of something that might deal intelligently with plot, I picked the book up and gave it the consideration I should have when it first fell into my hands. I found in it not a book for the writing of children's literature, but perhaps the most lucid, accessible, well organized, relevant, complete and credible work on fiction writing in my entire collection of texts on writing. I found my own ideas said better than I can say them myself. What is said in this book resonates with so much validity and clarity that I am sorry that I have wasted so much of my time and my students' time trying to teach without this text. I have corrected that situation by reorganizing the reading materials for my workshops, making The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children a required reading and a central part of our discussion.

Charles Connor, Director
Harriette Austin Writing Program
The University of Georgia

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More of a lion than a lamb..., September 14, 2006

By	Lia Keyes (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

When I decided to write this review I went to my shelves to count how many "how-to" books I had bought over the years before I came across this one. The answer is 106. Pity I didn't know earlier that what I was looking for could be found between the covers of Nancy Lamb's "Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children."

Every sentence has earned its place in the book; there is nothing that you can afford to skim. Yet all is delivered with warmth, humor, wit and wisdom. The advice is practical and specific. Every question that I wanted to ask, and quite a few that I didn't know I should have wanted to ask, was answered with clarity and authority.

The exercises, in particular, ask that you read suggested examples of children's literature that have successfully pulled off the particular skill you are trying to master. Ms Lamb guides you through the questions you should be asking yourself as you read, and then shows you how to turn those questions to your own manuscript. This is the technique used by university level writing programs across the country.

So do yourself a favor - buy this book. In fact, buy a couple of back up copies because your writing friends will 'accidentally' walk home with yours and any copy you manage to keep hold of will fall apart from overuse.

It's a one volume MFA in Creative Writing for Young People.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just children's books - answers all questions, May 29, 2005

By	J. B. MCKEE (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I write for a weekly deadline and have thought more about book writing in recent years. Having grandchildren located 1000 miles away moved me to think about writing for children. These reviews convinced me to make this book a part of my library. It is so much more than I expected.

This book is for all beginning writers, not just writers of children's books. Ms. Lamb remembers her questions as a beginning and experienced writer. She knows the process and teaches it in an engaging manner. This is a book that I intend to read over and over to ensure that it becomes a part of my writing life. Thank you Ms. Lamb.