Introuction
One of the wonderful things about becoming a children's writer is that it is such a possible dream. Successful writers not only gain financially, but they also gain a loyal and generous readership. I can think of no more gracious and enthusiastic an audience than young readers. Children identify strongly with characters in their books and often want the same book read to them over and over again. That could be your book--the one that's dog-eared and tattered from being someone's cherished companion.
To achieve your dream and become an author for this special audience, you first must understand the unique style necessary in children's writing. The clarity, simplicity and rhythm that should be present in a children's book or story can be difficult to master. However, it's these very ingredients that will make your book one that is read over and over again.
Children's Writer's Word Book will help you choose words children will both understand and be challenged by, words that will help them perceive the world as it is and imagine worlds that could be. You, as a writer of children's literature, have a special commitment; along with the joy of creating for your readers comes the responsibility of writing honestly and clearly. This book will help you meet that responsibility. Anyone working in children's literature, young adult literature and educational writing will find it an invaluable tool.
As adults, we often forget that children can comprehend more than they can articulate, and we end up communicating to them below their level, leaving them bored. Or, the opposite can happen: children are growing up faster than we did and act very sophisticated although their vocabulary skills are underdeveloped. Striking the balance between writing below or above their level is tricky. This book helps make the levels clear.
Children's Writer's Word Book is a desk reference, intended to be kept close by for frequent and immediate access. When you need to know if a word you want to use is appropriate for your young audience, or how long your sentences should be, the answer is there.
As a writer and a teacher, I often needed to know what level a particular word or idea was and didn't know where to look. That's when I got the idea for a book I could turn to any time I had a question of this nature. As the idea evolved, it became focused on three areas: lists of specific words commonly introduced at each graded reading level, a thesaurus of these words listing synonyms with the level at which each is usually introduced, and a discussion of standard practices related to word usage in children's writing.
The words in the lists were compiled from several basic word lists and other sources, then subjected to my own testing. Certified reading specialists checked the lists. Then, several panels of grade-school children reviewed the words I was uncertain about.
The material in this book reflects my own experience as a children's writer. Much of it is information given to me over ten years by kind and patient editors. I hope Children's Writer's Word Book becomes a key to opening the door to your own success and helps you realize your dream. Writing for children has been a real joy for me and I hope it brings you the same kind of satisfaction.
