Show; Don't Tell!: Secrets of Writing

by Josephine Nobisso, Eva Montanari (Illustrator)

Innovative yet accessible writing strategies appropriate for both fiction and nonfiction are presented in this enchanting tale of a writing lion who holds court for a cast of animal friends. Aspiring writers learn the essential nature of nouns and adjectives and how to use them to express their individual visions so that they “show and don’t tell” every time. Writing lessons are cleverly integrated into a tale that incorporates a sound chip, a scratch-and-sniff patch, and a tactile object to engage the aspiring writer’s five senses in fun proofs.


American Booksellers Association "Picks List"
 

Winner of a 2004 Parents' Choice Recommended Award
 

Winner of the Best Trade Book with Educational Application award from Global Learning Initiative, a partnership of The Bologna Children's Book Fair and The Association of Educational Publishers
 

Selected for The Original Art exhibition at the Museum of Illustration
 

Winner of a Children's Choices Award from the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council
 

Winner of the National Parenting Publications Honors Award
 




Innovative yet accessible writing strategies appropriate for both fiction and nonfiction are presented in this enchanting tale of a writing lion who holds court for a cast of animal friends. Aspiring writers learn the essential nature of nouns and adjectives and how to use them to express their individual visions so that they “show and don’t tell” every time. Writing lessons are cleverly integrated into a tale that incorporates a sound chip, a scratch-and-sniff patch, and a tactile object to engage the aspiring writer’s five senses in fun proofs.

Genres: Writing, Picture Books, Nonfiction, School, Education, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

From descriptions, this book seemed to offer a fresh and fun look at the basic writing principle of "showing, not telling." I was sorely disappointed. The book was jumbled and difficult to follow. The author jumped between different examples with no rhyme or reason, rather than staying with a specific example or changing between examples in a logical fashion. Several of the examples were also incomplete. In addition, I don't feel the author spoke clearly to a specific audience.

I had picked this book up for my 12-year-old, who is showing some promise as a writer. In the end, I returned the book without even sharing it with her.

[Sahir D'souza. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight of a book! Anyone even remotely interested in writing should possess this book (for once, DO NOT borrow it from the library: you may end up stealing it) and dip into it at leisure. Which other book on writing has a lion conducting a mock writing workshop with a pompous goose, a scientist penguin, a gentle cow, a practical rat and a loving hippo? Which other book on writing explains the importance of a noun over an adjective by showing (not telling) how important a noun is? Anyone who hasn't read this book deserves to be thrashed. So there.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Show; Don't Tell!: Secrets of Writing (Hardcover)
by Josephine Nobisso
this book is for teaching children how to write is a had thing, this book uses dynamic wording, and wandering script to help children learn the process of writing and using adverbs to enhance their writing. Talks about using all the five senses and intuition to connect to the reader, because its not the reader who fails to see the writers story, but the writers fault in not explaining it.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I was disappointed in this book because the earliest parts talk about nouns and adjectives - not something I expected to find in a book about showing, not telling. But then Nobisso delved into the importance of precise nouns, clear and specific adjectives, and the necessity of having both together (rather than one on its own) and this book really started to shine. Although the illustrations make it seem like the target audience is a younger age than 40-something me, I can imagine me using some of the ideas in this book to build awesome writing lessons for middle grades, high schoolers, and adults. She makes good points, and she explains things well. I'm interested in reading her book about verbs/adverbs now, too.

[Kristy Teague · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first glance, this appears to be a children’s picture book, but it is classified as creative writing exercises. The content is useful for teachers to get ideas about how to teach writing, but as a reader, the illustrations interrupt the flow of reading. Some of the must useful points are missed if you don’t study the pictures. I would have enjoyed reading this instead of sifting through the illustrations.

[M S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book for my 5th grade niece who loves writing and, after reading it, I think it is both lovely and perfect for her.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful combination of text intertwining with pictures- one that shows how to approach writing even for the most reluctant!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book in my picture book library yesterday. I am teaching fictional narratives and want my fifth graders to use sensory details. We have talked a lot about showing, not telling, but I still don't think they get it. I'm not sure this book will help too much. It is difficult to follow--the text is all over the page and the reader has to figure out which character moves the book along. I like how she asks sensory questions at the end, but again it's difficult to follow.

Maybe if I reread it, and slow down to read it out loud to the class, I may like it more...

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Push-button glass crashing, scratch-and-sniff scent and a cast of warmly illustrated and truly lovable animal characters disguise this palatable presentation of language arts pointers as a read-again storytime hit.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Forever Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

WritingFix's Mentor Text of the Year 2011-12, Nobisso's comic-strip-like explanation of how to best communicate what is in the writer's mind, should be a useful classroom tool.

I imagine creating a Reader's Theater script to use in segments. Different segments can focus on using specific nouns and revealing adjectives and using the five senses in writing fiction or non-fiction.

http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools...

[Randall · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book attempts to show children why it’s important to use the “senses” to show what’s happening in a story, but the book becomes unnecessarily complicated and didactic. I found myself having to reread sections and still not quite understanding her concept. A great idea that forgot, I think, that the book needs to engage a child reader.

[Tiff · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is way too scattered and confusing for children to use on their own. Teachers MAY be able to use it I suppose...but it won't be easy. Too bad I wasted money on this for my school library. :( Oh well.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, engaging, but could use a bit refinement, seems to end abruptly. Original idea on teaching use of nouns and adjectives, many lessons I've been hearing in my own writing classes! One drawback is the the smelly sticker and sound button-how long will thy last in a school library???

[Kalynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked where this book was trying to go, and I liked some aspects and ideas, but overall I didn't love it. It was lacking clarity for the intended audience, which was further impeded by all the side conversations/captions that were like interruptions to clear delivery.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be a useful instructional tool to show students basic writing tenets in a way they can absorb.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great for older students, could be tough for young learners.