Book reviews by Rebecca

Book review: How to Write Stories by Celia Warren

Do you want to write your own stories but you need a bit of help to get How to Write Stories coverstarted? Or perhaps you want some tips to make your stories even better. How to Write Stories is a very helpful guide for any story writer!

Make sure your story has an attention-grabbing beginning, an entertaining middle and a satisfying ending (so your readers want to read right to the end). There’s also information about what sort of story to write (the ‘genre’), how to gather ideas for your stories, and tips about the setting and characters.

Have you ever had writer’s block? I really liked the use of a ‘never-never’ list to start your creative ideas flowing again – like ‘Never go through the green gate’ and ‘Never touch the red button.’ You decide what happens if someone does what they should never never do, and you’re sure to be off and writing again!

At the back of the book you’ll find a glossary where you can look up any ‘writer’s’ words you might not know.

How to Write Stories is one book in a set of ‘How to … ‘ writing-themed books. Other books in the series include How to Write Letters & Emails, How to Write Reports and How to Write Poems.

We found How to Write Stories at our local library – ask for it at your closest library or school library. Then get writing, and enter our current competition, or send your story to us and it might be published in Alphabet Soup magazine!

How to Write Stories by Celia Warren, QED Publishing, London, ISBN 978 1 84538 740 2

This book was selected for review from the Editor’s own collection.
illustrator

24 May: Kids Day Out

KIDS DAY OUT AT ‘THE PLACE’!

Just another quick plug for the new children’s library (aka The Place) at the State Library of WA. The Place will be launched on Sunday 24 May (from 10am until 3pm). Events are FREE! Here are some details:

CELEBRITY STORYTIMES at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm in the Family Reading Centre

SNEAK PEEK TOUR OF THE LIBRARY (Surprises on every floor – the Library’s smelliest book, Treasures from the past, and more!)

MUSIC SESSIONS ON THE SECOND FLOOR at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm and 2 pm

DIGITAL STORIES online all day!

TOTEM BOOK SCULPTURE (How many have you read?)

BUTTERFLY STILT WALKER ALL DAY!

ORIGINAL PICTURE BOOK ART

BALLOONS to take home!

Then from 24 May – 19 July 2009: MY FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOK Do you know what Rove’s favourite book is? What about the Prime Minister’s? Take a booklist home!

Refer to the LISWA Website for further updates: http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/whats_on/the_place

See you there!

info

New Children’s library in Western Australia!

FREE EVENT! The State Library of Western Australia is launching its new children’s library, known as ‘The Place.’

Come along to the Kids Day Out at The Place, State Library of WA on Sunday 24 May 2009, 10am to 3pm. Celebrity readers, original picture book art, family reading centre, famous people’s favourite books and a sneak peak tour of the library.

You’ll find the State Library of WA at 25 Francis St, Cultural Centre, Perth City. (3 minutes walk from the train station.)

For further details, refer to the State Library of WA website.

info

Help create a book sculpture at the State Library of WA!

Have you heard that the State Library of WA has been building a children’s library on their mezzanine level? It’s true! And over the school holidays, children can help create a book sculpture for this new area with artist-in-residence, Graham Hay. For more information, go to www.slwa.wa.gov.au/schoolhols.html where they also advertise other family activities over the summer break.

info

Book Titles that Shine

Many people collect things. I collect book titles. When I come across a book title that shines, I write it in a notebook I keep just for my list of shiny book titles. Sometimes I request one of these books from the library, hoping the book will live up to its title – but often it doesn’t. Which is disappointing.

Glancing over my list, two from the list that do live up to their titles are Owl Moon and The Naming Of Tishkin Silk. I love how the first makes you say the title slowly and already sounds like the story within. The Naming of Tishkin Silk just sounds like poetry to me. All those sshh and ck sounds. Lovely.

Do you have any titles that make you sigh over their perfection? Have you ever picked up a book because the title called to you? Did it live up to its title?