Learning how to write splendid settings is the core
of this instructive and interactive book. But there is more to it than
settings.
It encourages children to explore their imagination and through the
activities, feel confident in creating and building their own stories.
It
presents examples on how to use unusual language to make writing sparkle with
interest.
Short excerpts from The BFG
are used as a way to string examples together and preserve continuity through
the book.
The exercises/brainstorming activities set up each
separate section of clearly defined grammar and writing advice.
These gradually
move on to other areas, with ideas on how to incorporate each learning
experience in the writing.
The use of adjectives, synonyms, made-up hyphenated
words, comparisons and similes, the importance of engaging the senses, and
using the emotions to be descriptive, are each in turn, the nuts and bolts of
the exercises.
There are tips on the significance of names and how
they can be composed of two significant words, and a guide to mapping out a
story with stress on the importance of sticking to the map. Point of view is
explained while inventiveness is seen as a writer’s best asset. Beautifully
designed and filled with illustrations by Quentin Blake, this book will
stimulate the mind of any budding writer.
A whole page of Top Tips winds up this valuable
resource for children with dreams of becoming writers, or for anyone who wants
to refine their story-telling skills. Adults that have difficulties with
structure and settings will find the simple ideas extremely helpful and easy to
implement as these types of books have no age limit to their instruction.
Title:
Roald Dahl’s Creative Writing with The BFG
Author:
Jo Nelson
Illustrator:
Quentin Blake
Publisher:
Penguin Random House, $9.99
Publication
Date: 5 February 2019
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9780241384572
For
ages: 8+
Type:
Non-Fiction