The Best Story
Brand: Dial Books
Color: Multicolor
Categories: Books, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life


Dial Books

Grade level: 1 - 3
Dimensions: 8.31 x 0.36 x 10.25 inches
Reading age: 5 - 8 years, from customers
ISBN-13: 978-0803730557
ISBN-10: 9780803730557
Publisher: Dial Books
Print length: 32 pages
Publication date: May 29, 2008
Lexile measure: 540L
Language: English
subtitle: Hardcover – Illustrated, May 29, 2008
author: Visit Amazon's Eileen Spinelli Page search results Eileen Spinelli Anne Wilsdorf
review: Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal Grade 1–3—Spinelli fashions a plot that goes to the core of storytelling: writing from the heart. Motivated by the Red Brick Library's contest to "write the best story" and the added attraction of "a ride on the Sooper Dooper Looper roller coaster" with her favorite author, this pigtailed, blond (unnamed) heroine sets out to win the prize. Stymied, she consults her brother, who suggests action; her father, who wants plenty of humor; her Aunt Jane, who advises to make people cry; and cousin Anika, who longs for romance. The resulting hodgepodge satisfies no one—including herself. Only after Mom's astute recommendation (writing from the heart) does the would-be author find satisfaction. Whether she wins the prize or not is left to speculation, but readers will realize that her "best story" is the one she accomplishes on her own. Wilsdorf perks up this somewhat predictable, but nevertheless affirming, tale with energetic, comical drawings awash in lively colors. As the story variations flow off the girl's writing pad, images of a pirate, a shark, a monkey, a cat, and a girl named Grace frolic across the pages in a variety of guises and situations. In addition, the amusing background details are sure to provoke a giggle. While this book may not attract individual readers, it will work well as an introduction to creative writing in the classroom and give hope to any young writer trying to turn an idea into a good story.— Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. About the Author Eileen Spinelli lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Anne Wilsdorf lives in Lausanne, Switzerland.