Once Upon a Slime

by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton (Illustrations)

Have you ever wondered where ideas come from and how stories are made? Would you like to know the true stories behind some of Andy and Terry's books and characters? Are you looking for simple, practical and inspiring writing activities? Would you like to discover 45 great ways to have fun with words and pictures? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then this is definitely the right book for you! Designed for teachers, students and young aspiring writers, Once Upon a Slime contains 45 fun writing and storytelling activities, such as lists, instructions, cartoons, personal stories, poems and pocket books. Examples from Andy and Terry's books are used throughout to demonstrate techniques and to inspire readers to have as much fun playing with ideas, words and pictures as Andy and Terry do when they get together to create their crazy books.

Genres: Writing, Picture Books, Humor, Childrens

360 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2013

About the author

Andy Griffiths is Australia’s most popular children’s writer. He is the author of over 20 books, including nonsense verse, short stories, comic novels and plays. Over the past 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won over 50 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Andy is best known as the author of the much-loved Just! series and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. In 2008 Andy became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking!, smashing his previous record of 4 awards for The Bad Book in 2005.

In 2008 Andy and his wife Jill collaborated with The Bell Shakespeare Company on the popular and critically acclaimed theatrical production Just Macbeth! which was nominated for two Helpmann Awards. In July 2010 Just Macbeth!completed a return sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews. The book of the play was shortlisted in the children’s section of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Andy has had a long-standing collaboration with the multi-talented illustrator Terry Denton. Together they have produced theJust! series, the wildly popular The Bad Book and The Very Bad Book, the ridiculous illustrated guide What Bumosaur is That?, and the Seussian-inspired early readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow! Their latest book is The 13-Storey Treehouse (September 2011).

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygr...

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So are you an idiot??(read the blurb!) READ THIS BOOK NOW IF you are or you're not. A great collection of story starters, rhymes and comic strips.

[Kira :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Andy at a book signing, and he gifted me this book to support my work as an English teacher!

I have used at least one activity with my class, and it worked wonderfully! I plan to use more and more. Reading through this has been so much fun. :)

[Hwee Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read it. Why?? I bought this book to help me help my kids with creative writing. But guess what? Not-so-Reluctant Reader swipes it from me. When he is done, my older sister (OLDER SISTER!!) borrows it from him. She proceeds to sit next to me, reads it, and chuckles every few pages. There is the occasional exclamation of, "he (Andy Griffiths) is so good!" Said book has gone home with my sister. Sigh.

Few weeks later, I have finally read it. For somebody interested in any genre like me, this is a good one for laughs. And then you get down to the 45 ways Andy Griffiths has listed for you to start writing..fast! He has a barrel full of off the wall ideas and I might just try some on my children. A little part of me is screaming, "hey! This is not a legitimate way to teach creative writing??!!" And the journalist part of me goes, "where are the facts?? Where is the attribution??" But no, this is Andy Griffiths, best selling nonsensical children's book extraordinaire. There is a certain genius to his nonsense. It explains why children love to read him. Maybe he is a little like Dr Seuss, who also made every nonsensical thing up. But as far as I know, the comparison stops here because there is no Moral to Andy Griffiths' stories. So go ahead, have fun with the book, then have fun with the writing!

[Kingston Primary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a slime is a book that helps kids to learn writing skills.

The book teaches you how to create characters, create storylines, structure a story, create and follow rules and draw cartoons.

I liked it when a dog named Barky went, ''bark, bark, bark, bark" for a whole page and I liked it how the authors Andy and Terry wasted the pages by filling them with useless stuff because it made me laugh.

This book is targeted at children aged 8+. I rate this book 5\5

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Griffiths,
I found this book really good I especially love how you set tasks for the reader, and also gave us lots of ideas to get our brains moving. This is one of my favourites from your range of books.

[Ben Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[MissStan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Andy Griffiths! This book is full of fun writing ideas. They are quick and easy writing ideas and I'm sure my students will love them.

[Jake TheDog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly about Andy Griffiths and doesn't give as much information about how to write fun books as I hoped

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with lots of great tips on how to write great story's just like Andy Grittihs

[James Southgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

[Lyn Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jam packed with creative writing tips, tools, tricks and fun exercises for the young writers at your school or home. Fantastic!

[Brigitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je hebt fantasie, geen fantasie of je hebt een overdosis fantasie. Dat laatste is hier het geval. Leuk boek om lessen mee te maken.

[Herri Neoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is a book full of imagination that leads kids to think creative ideas which can help them to come up with unique and interesting story writing. A good book for children who feel writing is boring.

[Viet Ngo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice because it told us ways to start or write a story.

[Jenna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely has some of the most useful writing advice/tips I've ever read.

[Gronya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gekregen op nieuwjaarsdag 2022.

[Mlien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andy Griffits heeft een enorme fantasie en is een meester in kinderhumor (met heel veel waanzinnige uitvindingen en viezigheid en grappen met mogelijk fatale afloop) Aan het begin vond ik het wel grappig, aan het einde was ik er klaar mee. Maar hé, ik ben dan ook geen tien :D. Ik denk wel dat dit kinderen echt enthousiast kan maken voor schrijven. Juist ook kinderen die normaal niet zo veel boeken lezen.

Het grootste pluspunt van dit boek waren de creatieve schrijfopdrachten aan het einde van elk hoofdstuk. Ik denk dat je die heel leuk kan gebruiken in de klas.