What do you think?
Rate this book
You Are a Reader! / You Are a Writer!
Two rhyming books in one that inspire and encourage children who are learning to read and write.
You are a Reader! / You are a Writer! is a book made to be read twice, once from the front and once from the back. Read one way, children will see all the joys that reading can bring--flip it over and they'll be inspired by the imaginative possibilities of writing!
With a jaunty rhyme that's great for reading aloud and a diverse cast of characters at various stages of reading and writing, there is something for everyone here. Learning to read? Scan, sound, simmer, think. You can guzzle words and ink. You might stumble, you might sigh. But readers practice, grow, and fly! Learning to write? Wake, watch, wonder, plot. You can weave with words and thoughts. Still staring at an empty page? Every writer knows that stage. Ask What if? Change your view. Try a pen--or stick--that's new. But writers read and draft, and fly!
Throughout the book are suggestions for where to find inspiration for reading and writing and different ways to move on if you are discouraged. Christine Davenier's energetic illustrations add to the fun in this true celebration of what it means to be a reader and a writer, no matter how accomplished you are or aren't.
Praise for Snowy Race
A girl gets to ride on her dad's giant snowplow in this delightful rhyming tale. They race through the heavy snow, but it's not clear where they're going until they arrive at the train station. . . Prince's (What Do Wheels Do All Day?) text is intriguingly spare, letting Davenier's (The First Thing My Mama Told Me) softly exuberant wintertime scenes shine. -- The New York Times
Rhyming, minimal text coupled with fetching illustrations by Davenier expertly convey the exhilarating drama of entering into a snowstorm as well as the comfy feelings of being in a warm house while the weather is frightful. -- School Library Journal
A winning, winter race. -- Kirkus Reviews
You are a Reader! / You are a Writer! is a book made to be read twice, once from the front and once from the back. Read one way, children will see all the joys that reading can bring--flip it over and they'll be inspired by the imaginative possibilities of writing!
With a jaunty rhyme that's great for reading aloud and a diverse cast of characters at various stages of reading and writing, there is something for everyone here. Learning to read? Scan, sound, simmer, think. You can guzzle words and ink. You might stumble, you might sigh. But readers practice, grow, and fly! Learning to write? Wake, watch, wonder, plot. You can weave with words and thoughts. Still staring at an empty page? Every writer knows that stage. Ask What if? Change your view. Try a pen--or stick--that's new. But writers read and draft, and fly!
Throughout the book are suggestions for where to find inspiration for reading and writing and different ways to move on if you are discouraged. Christine Davenier's energetic illustrations add to the fun in this true celebration of what it means to be a reader and a writer, no matter how accomplished you are or aren't.
Praise for Snowy Race
A girl gets to ride on her dad's giant snowplow in this delightful rhyming tale. They race through the heavy snow, but it's not clear where they're going until they arrive at the train station. . . Prince's (What Do Wheels Do All Day?) text is intriguingly spare, letting Davenier's (The First Thing My Mama Told Me) softly exuberant wintertime scenes shine. -- The New York Times
Rhyming, minimal text coupled with fetching illustrations by Davenier expertly convey the exhilarating drama of entering into a snowstorm as well as the comfy feelings of being in a warm house while the weather is frightful. -- School Library Journal
A winning, winter race. -- Kirkus Reviews
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2021
55 people want to read
About the author
April Jones Prince
18 books28 followersApril Jones Prince is a children's book author specializing in history and books for the very young.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 17, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
A GR friend wrote an excellent review that caught my eye, and because I love children's books that focus on reading and writing, onto my WTR list it went!
Praises:
1. a two-in-one book extolling the virtues of reading and writing to youngsters! What's not to love?
2. love the whimsical illustrations!
3. while reading this aloud to a Grade 2 class (7 to 8-year-olds) and a Grade 3 class (8 to 9-year-olds), we had interesting discussions about the text and illustrations; and,
4. of course, here are some thoughts from the children:
- "I loved that it was two books in one!"
- "I liked that it rhymed."
- "I really liked how it was designed. You could flip the book around."
- "I liked the covers." and,
- "It inspires me to read and write!"
Overall Thoughts:
Prior to reading this book aloud, I asked the students,
"Who likes to read?"
"Who doesn't like to read?"
"Who likes to write?"
"Who doesn't like to write?"
After the read-aloud, I gave the children time to Read-to-Self or Write-to-Self. I was pleasantly surprised by those students who didn't "like" to read and/or write actually participating in that particular activity, especially since they were allowed to choose their own reading and/or writing activity!
The kiddos would love to get their hands on this one! A must-have for primary classrooms!
A GR friend wrote an excellent review that caught my eye, and because I love children's books that focus on reading and writing, onto my WTR list it went!
Praises:
1. a two-in-one book extolling the virtues of reading and writing to youngsters! What's not to love?
2. love the whimsical illustrations!
3. while reading this aloud to a Grade 2 class (7 to 8-year-olds) and a Grade 3 class (8 to 9-year-olds), we had interesting discussions about the text and illustrations; and,
4. of course, here are some thoughts from the children:
- "I loved that it was two books in one!"
- "I liked that it rhymed."
- "I really liked how it was designed. You could flip the book around."
- "I liked the covers." and,
- "It inspires me to read and write!"
Overall Thoughts:
Prior to reading this book aloud, I asked the students,
"Who likes to read?"
"Who doesn't like to read?"
"Who likes to write?"
"Who doesn't like to write?"
After the read-aloud, I gave the children time to Read-to-Self or Write-to-Self. I was pleasantly surprised by those students who didn't "like" to read and/or write actually participating in that particular activity, especially since they were allowed to choose their own reading and/or writing activity!
The kiddos would love to get their hands on this one! A must-have for primary classrooms!
May 26, 2022
I love how many different types of reading and writing are included. This would be a fabulous read aloud for early elementary.
October 31, 2021
Loved this one!
October 25, 2022
What a fantastic, engaging book ~ two books in one. The most adorable illustrations showing how we gain our strengths as both readers and writers. Love it!
April 8, 2022
Lo primero de todo quiero aclarar que he leído este libro en español, aunque en inglés también me hubiera enterado.
El caso es que me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo desde la parte de lectora ya que escritora soy más bien poco. Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas también. Una historia ideal de cara al día del libro que viene de camino para regalarlo tanto a pequeños como a adultos.
El caso es que me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo desde la parte de lectora ya que escritora soy más bien poco. Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas también. Una historia ideal de cara al día del libro que viene de camino para regalarlo tanto a pequeños como a adultos.
August 18, 2021
This is a completely adorable book - two adorable books in one, in fact. I love this story for kindergarten through second grade - newer writers and readers. It is bouncing with enthusiasm and encouragement. Full of delicious words (which you’d hope in a book about reading and writing!), offering little tips along the way, and well paced to read aloud, this is a great book to share aloud. I think all kids can relate and enjoy this story, but I especially love it for kids who need a little encouragement. Cheerful is the best way to describe the tone and it feels a bit like reading a pep talk - in the best possible way.
September 25, 2021
From the back-to-back format to the jaunty rhyming text and charming illustrations—this book is sure to appeal to kids and teachers too. Inspired.
April 17, 2022
Strategies kids already use that help them become stronger readers and writers.
September 12, 2023
Like the two in one book concept and the rhythm of the text. The text is uplifting, and I like that one kid reads his book on a tablet! 😊
August 28, 2021
“Scan, sound, simmer, think. You can guzzle words and ink!”
There are all kinds of readers, all kinds of things to read and a lot of strategies when you’re stuck. “You might stumble, you might sigh. But readers practice, grow and FLY!” Keep searching until you find the reading experience that’s right for you!
“Wake, watch, wonder, plot. You can weave with words and thoughts.”
Writers tell their stories, they observe, ask “What if?” There are juicy words to explore and details to help you show rather than tell your story. But you don’t have to just write stories, there are plenty of other ways to practice your writing.
Love this one! Two books in one, both are inspirational for young readers and writers. We’ll be using this to introduce our Reading Journey activities. It’s a perfect launch for younger readers!
There are all kinds of readers, all kinds of things to read and a lot of strategies when you’re stuck. “You might stumble, you might sigh. But readers practice, grow and FLY!” Keep searching until you find the reading experience that’s right for you!
“Wake, watch, wonder, plot. You can weave with words and thoughts.”
Writers tell their stories, they observe, ask “What if?” There are juicy words to explore and details to help you show rather than tell your story. But you don’t have to just write stories, there are plenty of other ways to practice your writing.
Love this one! Two books in one, both are inspirational for young readers and writers. We’ll be using this to introduce our Reading Journey activities. It’s a perfect launch for younger readers!
October 5, 2021
I have always believed in the idea that students become better writers by reading and better readers by writing and this book shares the same idea. I love that it uses similar language in "both" books to show the readers the continuity of the two subjects. I also think it's great that you can finish one story and keep flipping the book to read the other one in a continuous circle. The language about how to use everything around you as fodder for being a writer is wonderful. The idea that there are so many things around you that you can read also reminds students that chapter books aren't a reading source alone. Finally, I love that both books talk about the fact that reading and writing can have difficult parts but you just need to work through them.
April 21, 2025
A high energy picture book told in two parts. The first part is all about reading. The process: "Spy a word that makes you scowl? Trips you up with tricky vowels. Stretch the word! Sound it out. Give your letter sounds a shout." The opportunities: "Search until you find the thing that makes your reading radar ping!" And of course, the joy! Then you get to the middle, stop, turn the book upside down and go back to the beginning to read about being a writer. This time there are examples of the writing process, the opportunities, and joy. "Write to share your hopes and notions or to sort out tough emotions." A clever book to read and share!
"And readers are writers and writers are readers"
"And readers are writers and writers are readers"
August 14, 2022
I highly recommend this book for all homes and schools of young readers and writers. What an encouraging message that highlights the interconnectedness of reading and writing. It emphasizes joy, acknowledges struggle, and highlights many genres.
It would make a wonderful teacher gift as I am sure this will be used over and over during reading and writing time!
It would make a wonderful teacher gift as I am sure this will be used over and over during reading and writing time!
September 20, 2022
Ah, the old flip it around and read the other story on the other side and they meet in the middle with a little circular action on how reading and writing are interconnected but need to be celebrated in everyone.
It's positive and upbeat with an easy-to-read aloud rhythm that can be used at any level to encourage reading and writing.
It's positive and upbeat with an easy-to-read aloud rhythm that can be used at any level to encourage reading and writing.
March 1, 2023
This double-sided book is a unique, intriguing, and innovative way to entice the reader to see "two sides of the same coin, or in this case, two sides of the same book." This is a clever way to interest young ones in things we take for granted -- reading and writing.
April 24, 2023
Keep reading and keep writing until you find the kind that's right for you. A wonderful rhyming book about the joys of different types (labels, menus, comic books, recipes, etc) of reading. Turn it over and discover the joys of writing.
Want to read
March 26, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Read
August 22, 2021beautiful exploration of writing and reading!
October 15, 2021
Rhyming reasons to read and write!! Take a look
October 29, 2021
Very cute. Liked the rhymes.
November 1, 2021
Readers are writers and writers are readers.
June 20, 2022
Two books in one that inspires both being a reader and a writer using a rhyming text.
September 29, 2022
An inspiration preschool and up book about finding inspiration to be a writer and a reader. told with two stories by turning the book the other way.
Read
November 3, 2023everything you do can relate back to reading and writing
read on first week of school
have this displayed in the library or writing corner
read on first week of school
have this displayed in the library or writing corner
August 11, 2024
The reader side is self-indulgent and unnecessary. The writer side actually has good advice. The meeting in the middle is awkward and not backed up by the rest of the text. Told in rhyme.
May 19, 2025
What an amazing concept for a book. This book is fun, encouraging, and creative. As a writer and avid reader I'm biased, obviously, but every kid should read this book. Every kid is a reader and writer.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews