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Katie Woo, Star Writer
It Doesn't Need to Rhyme, Katie: Writing a Poem with Katie Woo
Hi! I'm Katie Woo. I thought poems needed to rhyme, but my friend JoJo told me that they didn't. Now I'm having so much fun painting pictures with words. From beards to bath time, you can write a poem about anything. Best of all, anyone can write poems, even you!
32 pages, Library Binding
First published July 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Fran Manushkin
222 books54 followersFran Manushkin is the author of more than fifty books for children, including the Katie Woo series; Big Girl Panties, illustrated by Valeria Petrone; Big Sisters Are the Best, illustrated by Kirsten Richards; The Tushy Book, illustrated by Tracy Dockray; and Baby, Come Out!, illustrated by Ronald Himler and translated into eight languages. She lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 11, 2022
3/10/22 Read to Julia & Andres
December 31, 2016
This review covers the entire Katie Woo, Star Writer series.
Katie Woo, who has battled the flu, ruled the school, and found a job in her eponymous series for beginning readers now learns to write in different styles in this brand-new easy reader collection from Picture Window Books. Six titles explore narratives, opinion pieces, letters, research papers, poems, and journal writing, in a format which combines fictional events from Katie’s life with valuable advice and hints for practicing writing. In each book, Katie learns the correct way to brainstorm, organize, and present her ideas, as well as ways to improve upon her initial drafts and adhere to the requirements of each type of writing. Substantial back matter in each volume also provides writing prompts, a glossary, and books and websites for learning more about the writing process.
I really can’t say enough good things about this series. There is such a need in classrooms and libraries for engaging and informative materials about learning to write, and these books are absolutely perfect. I love the way the story itself models good writing habits, and that each hint presented in the text is given in Katie’s voice. Though Katie is obviously fictitious, learning to write with her is very much like learning from a peer, rather than a teacher or other adult. Children who are comfortable reading independently at this level (480 in the Lexile system, or roughly H or I in Guided Reading) can use these books to introduce themselves to new writing skills, and to reinforce them after a teacher has presented the information in class. Kids who love to write will eagerly write their own versions of Katie’s assignments, and even those for whom writing is intimidating or challenging will feel better about it with a familiar character as a guide.
Though each of these books is a gem, some are weaker than others. I was disappointed, for example, to find this misspelling on the writing prompts page in What Happens Next, Katie?: “Writing naratives is so much fun!” (emphasis mine). I was also a little bit uncomfortable with Katie’s unkind approach to opinion pieces in What Do You Think, Katie?, where she writes scathingly mean comments about her friends when they don’t agree with her. These scenes work fine as part of the fictional story surrounding narrative writing, but it felt weird to also be holding up these angry outbursts as examples of correct and well-supported writing. Of course, this is a teachable moment for adults using these books with kids, but kids reading them on their own could find themselves receiving mixed messages.
I think my favorite of the entire set is the volume on journaling, What’s In Your Heart, Katie? I kept a journal for a long time, so I could relate well to Katie’s excitement at having a way to express her innermost thoughts and feelings, and I like the way it promotes writing for the pure enjoyment of it, rather than just for an academic purpose. I also think it was the best marriage of fictional story with informational text. Katie’s search for her good-luck charm leads to her discovery of journal writing in a way that feels natural and helps kids see the ways their own lives can inspire them to write.
Katie Woo, Star Writer is a must-purchase series for teachers and librarians (in both public libraries and schools) serving the primary grades. It will be hugely helpful in meeting common core standards, and in introducing writing to the youngest students in a clear, interesting, and age-appropriate tone.
Katie Woo, who has battled the flu, ruled the school, and found a job in her eponymous series for beginning readers now learns to write in different styles in this brand-new easy reader collection from Picture Window Books. Six titles explore narratives, opinion pieces, letters, research papers, poems, and journal writing, in a format which combines fictional events from Katie’s life with valuable advice and hints for practicing writing. In each book, Katie learns the correct way to brainstorm, organize, and present her ideas, as well as ways to improve upon her initial drafts and adhere to the requirements of each type of writing. Substantial back matter in each volume also provides writing prompts, a glossary, and books and websites for learning more about the writing process.
I really can’t say enough good things about this series. There is such a need in classrooms and libraries for engaging and informative materials about learning to write, and these books are absolutely perfect. I love the way the story itself models good writing habits, and that each hint presented in the text is given in Katie’s voice. Though Katie is obviously fictitious, learning to write with her is very much like learning from a peer, rather than a teacher or other adult. Children who are comfortable reading independently at this level (480 in the Lexile system, or roughly H or I in Guided Reading) can use these books to introduce themselves to new writing skills, and to reinforce them after a teacher has presented the information in class. Kids who love to write will eagerly write their own versions of Katie’s assignments, and even those for whom writing is intimidating or challenging will feel better about it with a familiar character as a guide.
Though each of these books is a gem, some are weaker than others. I was disappointed, for example, to find this misspelling on the writing prompts page in What Happens Next, Katie?: “Writing naratives is so much fun!” (emphasis mine). I was also a little bit uncomfortable with Katie’s unkind approach to opinion pieces in What Do You Think, Katie?, where she writes scathingly mean comments about her friends when they don’t agree with her. These scenes work fine as part of the fictional story surrounding narrative writing, but it felt weird to also be holding up these angry outbursts as examples of correct and well-supported writing. Of course, this is a teachable moment for adults using these books with kids, but kids reading them on their own could find themselves receiving mixed messages.
I think my favorite of the entire set is the volume on journaling, What’s In Your Heart, Katie? I kept a journal for a long time, so I could relate well to Katie’s excitement at having a way to express her innermost thoughts and feelings, and I like the way it promotes writing for the pure enjoyment of it, rather than just for an academic purpose. I also think it was the best marriage of fictional story with informational text. Katie’s search for her good-luck charm leads to her discovery of journal writing in a way that feels natural and helps kids see the ways their own lives can inspire them to write.
Katie Woo, Star Writer is a must-purchase series for teachers and librarians (in both public libraries and schools) serving the primary grades. It will be hugely helpful in meeting common core standards, and in introducing writing to the youngest students in a clear, interesting, and age-appropriate tone.
October 5, 2013
Katie Woo and friends learn about writing poems. There are boxes on the pages that explain the different poem types. Easy read.
February 6, 2014
Kid who makes me smile
As she talks and learns
To write fun poetry
Inspired by her life
Even taking a bath
As she talks and learns
To write fun poetry
Inspired by her life
Even taking a bath
March 5, 2015
Another how-to-write narrative in the Katie Woo, Star Writer series. This time Katie is giving tips on writing poetry. The tone is light and breezy but provides useful introductory advice.
May 26, 2016
It doesn't have to rhyme. Kids get so confused by that. Poetry doesn't have to rhyme!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews