Reading Metrics
Description
With lively illustrations and helpful hints, this book introduces many different writing styles and helps children create their own imaginative examples. The coauthor is Ruth Thomson.
Quick Summary
If you've got a kid who groans at the thought of writing assignments but loves being creative, this one's for them. "Start Writing: About Things I Do" walks young writers through tons of different styles from silly how-to guides to personal stories and descriptive pieces giving them real prompts and tips they can actually use right away. The bright, cartoonish illustrations keep things light and fun, and the coauthor Ruth Thomson clearly knows how to talk to kids without talking down to them. What I really like is that it doesn't just tell kids to "write more" it breaks things down into bite-sized chunks so that first draft feels doable instead of overwhelming. It's perfect for middle graders who are just starting to explore what kind of writer they want to be, whether they're a budding storyteller or someone who just needs help getting words on the page. Parents will appreciate that it's educational without feeling like homework, and the whole vibe is encouraging rather than prescriptive. If your kid has ever loved "Matilda" or Roald Dahl's playful storytelling style, they'll probably gravitate toward this too.