About Words and Writing on Cassette and Digital

This list includes books on the subject of words and writing. To order any of these titles, contact your Talking Book Center by phone, mail, or email or use our online catalog.

RC 23186
CURIOUS GEORGE LEARNS THE ALPHABET by H.A. Rey
The eager little monkey receives a lesson in words and letters. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 30798, DB 30798
THE ABC BUNNY by Wanda Gag
An alphabet book that tells of a little rabbit's adventures. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 37979
LETTER FROM PHOENIX FARM by Jane Yolen
A warm letter from author Jane Yolen to her friends and fans. Yolen tells how she spends her time and shows how the writing process and her daily life are intimately intertwined. Yolen's books include Commander Toad in Space (RC 32121) and Piggins (RC 26893). For grades K-3.

RC 38270, DB 38270
ALPHA BETA CHOWDER by Jeanne Steig
A collection of twenty-six nonsense verses in alphabetical order. There are verses titled "An Appetizer for Alexander," "Bellicose Brigand vs. Belligerent Bear," "Yakety Yak," and "Blizzard Zaps Zelda." For grades 2-4.

RC 42108
ONCE UPON A TIME by Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting has written many children's books including Someday a Tree (RC41317) and Smoky Night (BR 9937), winner of the Caldecott Award. She tells of growing up in Ireland and moving to Los Angeles with her husband and small children. She also explains how she writes her stories. For grades 2-4.

RC 46144
AUTHOR: A TRUE STORY by Helen Lester
Helen Lester, the author of several children's books including Me First (RC 37139) and Tacky the Penguin (BR 08904) describes how she began her career. She always liked to write but it took seven tries to have her first book published. For grades 2-4.

RC 30836
ONCE UPON A TIME-CELEBRATING THE MAGIC OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN HONOR OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.
Collection of reminiscences, anecdotes, and stories by well-known authors and illustrators such as Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Virginia Hamilton, and Trina Schart Hyman about books and the experiences of reading. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

RC 43271
THE STORYTELLING HANDBOOK: A YOUNG PEOPLE'S COLLECTION OF UNUSUAL TALES AND HELPFUL HINTS ON HOW TO TELL THEM by Anne Pellowski
The author offers many suggestions for people who like to spin tales for family and friends. Covers selecting a story, practicing, and handling interruptions. Also includes several easy-to-tell stories. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

RC 54098
AUTHOR TALK: CONVERSATIONS WITH JUDY BLUME, BRUCE BROOKS, KAREN CUSHMAN, RUSSELL FREEDMAN, LEE BENNETT HOPKINS, JAMES HOWE, JOHANNA HURWITZ, E.L. KONIGSBURG, LOIS LOWRY, ANN M. MARTIN, NICHOLASA MOHR, GARY PAULSEN, JON SCIESZKA, SEYMOUR SIMON, AND LAURENCE YEP by Leonard S. Marcus
Presents interviews with fifteen well-known children's authors discussing their choices to become writers, their influences, and their writing habits. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

RC 28373
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS? HELPING YOUNG WRITERS BEGIN by Sandy Asher
An author describes ways to find ideas for writing stories, poems, and plays. Over two-dozen other children's authors briefly tell how they got their ideas for various stories they have written. For grades 4-7.

RC 38933
DOODLE DANDY! THE COMPLETE BOOK OF INDEPENDENCE DAY WORDS by Lynda Graham-Barber
Describes, explains, and provides historical information on a myriad of words and customs associated with America's Independence Day. Included are such words and phrases as "justice and equality," "wave the flag," Yankee Doodle Dandy," "barbecue," and "picnic." For grades 4-7 and older readers.

RC 49276
EAT YOUR WORDS: A FASCINATING LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE OF FOOD by Charlotte Foltz Jones
Jones explains how dishes such as Eggs Benedict and Caesar Salad got their names. Tells how terms like "couch potato" and "spill the beans" originated, and includes interesting food facts. For grades 4-7.

RC 52326
THE PLACE MY WORDS ARE LOOKING FOR: WHAT POETS SAY ABOUT AND THROUGH THEIR WORK by Paul B. Janeczko
A collection of poems by thirty-nine poets who also comment on why they write--their inspiration, memories, and enjoyment of playing with words. For grades 4-7.

RC 60710, DB 60710
KEEPING A JOURNAL by Trudi Strain Trueit
Encourages journal keeping as a means of self-discovery. Offers tips and exercises for starting a personal log whether in a notebook, online, on recorded cassette, or in another format. Provides examples from famous diary writers and includes a thirty-day calendar of creative ideas. For grades 4-7.

RC 09587
THE STORY OF THE DICTIONARY by Robert Kraske
Lively account tracing the history of the dictionary and describing what goes into compiling a book that almost everybody uses. For grades 5-7.

RC 16495
THE FIRST BOOK OF WORDS: THEIR FAMILY HISTORY by Sam and Beryl Epstein
The story of English words--how they came to be, how we use them, and how they change in meaning to fit our needs. For grades 5-7.

RC 18589
WORDS: A BOOK ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF EVERYDAY WORDS AND PHRASES by Jane Sarnoff and Reynold Ruffins
Traces the origin of common American-English words and phrases, showing how the English language developed and how words are formed. Includes sections on personal names and the names of the fifty states. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 39091, DB 39091
A BOOK OF YOUR OWN: KEEPING A DIARY OR JOURNAL by Carla Stevens
Discusses diaries and journals and the value of keeping a diary or journal of your own. Includes examples of entries from well-known diarists such as Anne Frank and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as from less famous people. For grades 5-8.

RC 39912
WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION by Marion Dane Bauer
The author states that stories help one understand the world, teaching about possibilities and the achievements of those who struggled before. An award-winning novelist, Bauer describes how to write fiction and systematically discusses its various components, including plot, character, focus, dialogue, tension, and revisions. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 47938
CAREER IDEAS FOR KIDS WHO LIKE WRITING by Diane Lindsey Reeves
Encourages young people between ages ten and thirteen to begin to discover what they do best and what they enjoy most. Suggests that diverse career opportunities such as computer game designer, electronic publication specialist, and webmaster are available to those who like writing. For grades 5-8.

RC 60202, DB 60202
HAIKU: ASIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR CREATIVE KIDS by Patricia Donegan
Introduces the form of Japanese poetry known as haiku, explores the seven keys to writing it, and provides instructions for projects including making a book. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 15254
WORDS FROM THE MYTHS by Isaac Asimov
Fascinating exploration of the Greek myths uncovers the roots of hundreds of words in our daily language. For grades 6-9.

RC 23358
THE YOUNG WRITER'S HANDBOOK by Susan and Stephen Tchudi
Practical advice for beginning writers from two professional instructors. Discusses journal, letter, and creative writing, as well as how to write school reports and other factual pieces. Offers ideas for finding subjects, editing one's work, and getting published. For grades 6-9.

RC 35953
TALK ABOUT ENGLISH: HOW WORDS TRAVEL AND CHANGE by Janet Klausner
Did you know that the words "lonely" and "assassination" made their first written appearance in the works of Shakespeare? Or how the guinea pig (which is neither from Guinea nor a pig) got its name? The author traces the history and development of the English language, and provides a treasure trove of anecdotes about words and phrases that have become part of the vernacular. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

RC 46818
BLOOD ON THE FOREHEAD: WHAT I KNOW ABOUT WRITING by M.E. Kerr
Author of young adult books uses long excerpts from her novels and short stories to explain how she came up with ideas and turned them into fiction. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

RC 63714, DB 63714
MILTON MELTZER: WRITING MATTERS by Milton Meltzer
The much-honored author of more than one hundred nonfiction books for young people and adults describes how he became a published writer. This memoir covers his lifelong love of reading, discipline to the craft of writing, and career path. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

RC 64934, DB 64934
THE WAND IN THE WORD: CONVERSATIONS WITH WRITERS OF FANTASY by Leonard S. Marcus
Interviews with thirteen storytellers about their pivotal life experiences, literary influences, and approaches to writing. Features Lloyd Alexander, Franny Billingsley, Susan Cooper, Nancy Farmer, Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L'Engle, Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, and Jane Yolen. For grades 6-9.

RC 26205
WRITING YOUR OWN PLAYS: CREATING, ADAPTING, IMPROVISING by Carol Korty
A concise introduction to play writing geared especially to the young playwright. The author begins by describing the differences between the methods of a playwright and a storywriter in developing character, plot, and setting. Provides guidelines and suggestions for developing an idea, writing the first draft, evaluating and adapting the script, fine-tuning the play, and preparing for production. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 33126, DB 33126
THE GRAMMAR CRAMMER: HOW TO WRITE PERFECT SENTENCES by Judi Kesselman-Turkel and Franklynn Peterson
This cram course in the written language is designed to give persons the skills they need to express themselves in clear, correct English. Topics include nouns, pronouns, verbs, modifiers, conjunctions, prepositions, and punctuation. Checkup quizzes conclude each chapter. For junior and senior high and older readers.

RC 47819
CAREERS FOR WORDSMITHS by Andrew Kaplan
Profiles fourteen workers in jobs that rely on language skills: includes writer, editor, teacher, lexicographer, and press agent. Each worker discusses his or her work and offers advice on pursuing a language-related career. For junior and senior high and older readers.

RC 48512, DB 48512
HOW TO WRITE A LETTER by Patricia Dragisic
Describes the basic structure of personal and business letters, with examples of each type. Includes such diverse topics as grammar, salutations, and using electronic mail; presents some famous letters from the past. For junior and senior high and older readers.

RC 49693
CAREERS FOR BOOKWORMS AND OTHER LITERARY TYPES by Marjorie Eberts and Margaret Gisler
Examines occupations for book lovers that involve a lot of reading. Includes careers in libraries, book publishing, magazines and newspapers, education, research, movies, and more. Briefly discusses qualifications and duties for each job. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 58668, DB 58668
WRITING WINNING REPORTS AND ESSAYS by Paul B. Janeczko
Outlines strategies for writing successful research reports and essays. Gives basic guidelines for using note cards, citing sources, outlining, and writing drafts. Provides samples of completed papers. Suggests ideas by school subject and offers research tips. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 63845, DB 63845
DISCOVERING CAREERS FOR YOUR FUTURE: PUBLISHING by Facts on File
Highlights various careers in the publishing industry, such as editor, press worker, columnist, literary agent, writer, and webmaster. Includes job descriptions, educational requirements, earnings, outlook, and more. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 41989
LOVE AND DEATH AT THE MALL: TEACHING AND WRITING FOR THE LITERATE YOUNG by Richard Peck
The award-winning author of books for young adults reflects on how and why he writes. He is often asked, "But how did you get your start?" and "Where did you get your ideas?" In broad answers, he makes wry observations on writing for and teaching teenagers and includes excerpts from his books. For senior high and older readers.

RC 62234, DB 62234
YOUR NAME IN PRINT: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING FOR FUN, PROFIT, AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS by Elizabeth Harper
Journalist father and his college-age daughter offer teenagers, their parents, and their teachers advice on the different types of writing for publication. The two also guide would-be writers through the steps that are needed to get their work into print. For senior high and older readers.

RC 65626, DB 65626
THIS YEAR YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL by Walter Mosley
Prolific author offers advice on writing and completing a short novel in a one-year time frame. Discusses character development, metaphor and simile, plot and story, editing, rewriting, research, and other professional and practical tips. Emphasizes the need to write every day. For senior high and older readers.

About Words and Writing in Braille

BR 12037
A WORLD OF WORDS: AN ABC OF QUOTATIONS by Tobi Tobias
From animal to zoo, a word for each letter of the alphabet heads a quotation echoing that word. Quotes from e.e. cummings, J.R.R. Tolkien, Wallace Stevens, Langston Hughes, and Seamus Heaney among others. Print/Braille. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 8953
DR. SEUSS'S ABC by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Suess adds nonsense and rhymes to the alphabet to make it fun for children to learn letters and their sounds. Print/Braille. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 10023
WHAT DO AUTHORS DO? by Eileen Christelow
Authors get ideas for their books at strange moments and in unusual places. Rufus, a dog, and Max, a cat, are each owned by an author. Follow Rufus and Max as they each watch and inspire their masters with an idea for a book and see it through to publication. Print/Braille. For grades K-3.

BR 10628
BEHIND THE MASK: A BOOK ABOUT PREPOSITIONS by Ruth Heller
"OF prepositions have no fear…they help make directions clear…and IN phrases only they appear." The author uses rhyming text with catchy phrases to explain these useful words. For grades 2-4.

BR 9928
UP, UP AND AWAY: A BOOK ABOUT ADVERBS by Ruth Heller
Introduction to the wonderful words that answer "where?" "when?" "how?" "how often?" and sometimes even "why?" Adverbs can also be useful when we need help with comparisons or descriptions. Print/Braille. For grades 2-4.

BR 10628
BEHIND THE MASK: A BOOK ABOUT PREPOSITIONS by Ruth Heller
"OF prepositions have no fear... they help make directions clear... and IN phrases only they appear." The author uses simple rhyming text with catchy phrases to explain these useful words. For grades 2-4.

BR 15039
THERE'S A FROG IN MY THROAT! 440 ANIMAL SAYINGS A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME by Loreen Leedy
Hundreds of sayings in English involving animals. Humorously explains the meaning of everyday expressions such as "it's a dog's life," "copycat," "chicken feed," "rat race," and "buzz off." PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

BR 10748
THE STORYTELLING HANDBOOK: A YOUNG PEOPLE'S COLLECTION OF UNUSAL TALES AND HELPFUL HINTS ON HOW TO TELL THEM by Anne Pellowski
The author offers many suggestions for people who like to spin tales for family and friends. Covers selecting a story, practicing, and handling interruptions. Also includes several easy-to-tell stories. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

BR 7937
A CACHE OF JEWELS AND OTHER COLLECTIVE NOUNS by Ruth Heller
" A BROOD of chicks/a CLUTCH of eggs/a LITTER of puppies on wobbly legs." The author uses a catchy, simple rhyming text to introduce young readers to collective nouns and the richness of language. Print/Braille. For grades 3-6.

BR 13131
HOW TO WRITE TERRIFIC BOOK REPORTS by Elizabeth James and Carol Barkin
Explains how to write book reports. Offers guidance on selecting appropriate material, reading for information, writing and organizing, and delivering an oral presentation. Includes examples. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

BR 7441
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS? HELPING YOUNG WRITERS BEGIN by Sandy Asher
An author describes ways to find ideas for writing stories, poems, and plays. Over two-dozen other children's authors briefly tell how they got their ideas for various stories they have written. For grades 4-7.

BR 7594
YOUR FOOT'S ON MY FEET! AND OTHER TRICKY NOUNS by Marvin Terban
The plural forms of regular nouns, irregular nouns, and nouns that don't change at all are explored in humorous rhymes and tongue twisters. For grades 4-7.

BR 9864
DOODLE DANDY! THE COMPLETE BOOK OF INDEPENDENCE DAY WORDS by Lynda Graham-Barber
Describes, explains, and provides historical information on a myriad of words and customs associated with America's Independence Day. Included are such words and phrases as "justice and equality," "wave the flag," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "barbecue," and "picnic." For grades 4-7 and older readers.

BR 13513
THE PLACE MY WORDS ARE LOOKING FOR: WHAT POETS SAY ABOUT AND THROUGH THEIR WORK by Paul B. Janeczko
A collection of poems by thirty-nine poets who also comment on why they write, their inspiration, memories, and enjoyment of playing with words. For grades 4-7.

BR 9709
A BOOK OF YOUR OWN: KEEPING A DIARY OF JOURNAL by Carla Stevens
Discusses diaries and journals and the value of keeping a diary or journal of your own. Includes examples of entries from well-known diarists such as Anne Frank and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as from less famous people. For grades 5-8.

BR 9877
WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION by Marion Dane Bauer
The author states that stories help one understand the world, teaching about the possibilities and the achievements of those who struggled before. An award-winning novelist, Bauer describes how to write fiction and systematically discusses its various components, including plot, character, focus, dialogue, tension, and revisions. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 10066
CHECKING YOUR GRAMMAR by Marvin Terban
Guide to editing your writing before someone else reads it. Shows how to build sentences using different parts of speech, proper grammar, correct spelling, and punctuation. Offers many examples. For grades 5-8.

BR 13172
HOW TO WRITE POETRY by Paul B. Janeczko
Practical advice on the art of writing poetry. Provides tips on how to begin, from gathering ideas to writing progressively more complex poetic forms. Contains copious examples, recommends reading, provides checklists, and suggests uses for completed verses. For grades 5-8.

BR 16275
A KICK IN THE HEAD by Paul B. Janeczko
A guide to twenty-nine poetic forms including haiku, limerick, roundel, sonnet, elegy, and ballad. Provides examples with narrative explanations of each form from simple rhyme schemes--couplet, tercet, quatrain-to more-complex combinations like the pantoum. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 17206
WRITING MAGIC: CREATING STORIES THAT FLY by Gail Carson Levine
Newbery Honor author of fiction provides advice, tips, and exercises to encourage aspiring writers. Covers story writing--from coming up with an idea and developing characters and plot to finding a publisher. Recommends practicing a lot and saving everything you write. For grades 5-8.

BR 6362
THE YOUNG WRITER'S HANDBOOK by Susan and Stephen Tchudi
Advice for beginning writers from two professional instructors. Discusses journal, letter, and creative writing, as well as how to write school reports and other factual pieces. Offers ideas for finding subjects, editing one's work, and getting published. For grades 6-9.

BR 8469
THE GRAMMAR CRAMMER: HOW TO WRITE PERFECT SENTENCES by Judi Kesselman-Turkel
This cram course in the written language is designed to give persons the skills they need to express themselves in clear, correct English. Topics include nouns, pronouns, verbs, modifiers, conjunctions, prepositions, and punctuation. Checkup quizzes conclude each chapter. For junior and senior high and older readers.

BR 12538
WOE IS I: THE GRAMMARPHOBE'S GUIDE TO BETTER ENGLISH IN PLAIN ENGLISH by Patricia T. O'Conner
Presents lessons in grammar and oddities of the English language for anyone who wants to speak and write more clearly. Explains pronouns, plurals, possessives, verb agreement, punctuation, modifiers, clichés, and outdated grammar rules to help those who need to improve their oral and written language skills. For senior high and older readers.

BR 12968
WORDS FAIL ME: WHAT EVERYONE WHO WRITES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WRITING by Patricia T. O'Conner
A user's manual for writing well. Emphasizes that good prose is more craft than art. Provides tips and techniques to improve writing skills and avoid pitfalls, whether for term papers, reports, newsletters, or a novel. For senior high and older readers.

Last Update: 1/14/09