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Lesley Polinger draws on her own experiences and those of agents and publishers, to give an insight into the process of writing for children. She gives advice on picture book texts, fiction and non-fiction, and explains what you should and shouldn't do if your work is or isn't accepted. ... Read more

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A Must Read!
I had purchased a variety of children's books to polish my craft, and this one seemed to really stand out above the rest. I am an amateur writer, but I hope to be a professional someday. This book really helped me to put things into perspective about the nature of writers, the do's and dont's of writing, and many helpful tips to keep in mind. I've read it through three times and I'm still not bored with it. The author is very down-to-earth and easy to understand. I rate this book one of the best! ... Read more

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A collection of thirty stories and poems for children written by Canadian authors, including fantasy, lyric poetry, animal stories, nonsense verse, and realistic fiction. ... Read more

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The writers of childrens’ books whose papers are gathered here have much to say about the genesis of their own writing for children, revealing influences and impulses they feel account for particular qualities that define their books.They speak convincingly also about creative writing and children's literature in general.

What is imagination and where do the ideas expressed in fiction come from?Why do some people feel compelled to write and to what end do they compose their stories?Dreams are a key, says Eleanor Cameron. She calls dreams a significant part of her life, as are the experiences held in the unconscious, where through "slow transformation over the years" they are turned into "treasure."Similarly, Virginia Hamilton points to the significance symbols hold for her, describing in particular the symbol of the street, especially meaningful to her in connoting "the need for sharing life with others."Her intention in writing is to break down symbols and "free the reality.""Standing on the brink of a work about to begin,"Jill Paton Walsh finds her "mind on fire" - and indeed she must enter such an area of excitement to be able to begin a narrative fiction.

All these authors share a conviction about the worth and complexity of writing for children, looking beyond their own individual approaches to the whole existing body of literature for children.Ivan Southall, like many a children's writer, is concerned about the low regard some people have for authors writing for children.Ursula LeGuin discusses a "puritanical distrust" of fantasy she recognized in some people, who see a pathological regression and strange amorality in fairy tales, not realizing the function and worth the tales have in children's lives. ... Read more

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This edited volume reviews the long career of Russell Hoban, an American writer residing in England who writes for children and adults.The "Forty Years" in the title refers to the length of Hoban's career to date.Hoban's contribution specifically to children's literature is commemorated in this volume of essays by international scholars, ... Read more

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Among the variety of verses in this collection, many of which are here translated for the first time, are delicate pieces originally written for an innovative Bengali textbook; delightful nonsense poetry and presentations of a child's desires and fantasies; and narrative and didactic poems as simple as they are sober. The book also contains a wealth of illustrations by Rabindranath himself, his circle and the members of the Santiniketan community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Have for Writers
This is the best book on writing available, and not just writing books for young readers.Lee Wyndham covers all the elements crucial to any story, like characterization, plotting, maintaining suspense, and offers tips on how to get published.Also includes a section on writing the mystery story.If you want to learn how to write good, well-crafted stories, look no further for a how-to book.You've found it. ... Read more

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Writings on educational theory, pedagogy,and the relationship between education and popular democracy.

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Arguing that writing for children requires no less skill with words than for writing for anyone else, this book first sets out to explain the differing factors that distinguish the publishing and marketing of books for children. It goes on to explain ways of writing for different age groups and to different genres, using the experience of established children's writers and analyzing examples of their work to offer basic guidelines for the beginner. ... Read more