Children—even very young ones—can write more than stories, and the range of their work can be dazzling. They write lists, labels, signs, letters, menus, caption, descriptions, arguments, dialogues, complaints, invitations, and much more. In this new book, Thomas Newkirk explores the diversity of writing done by young children, and by focusing on the work of one child between ages four and seven he illustrates how children competently use the basic structures of argument and explanation.
More Than Stories is a careful look at over a hundred pieces of children's writing, drawing, and oral language, and it poses a sharp challenge to conventional views of writing development and underestimate children's competence at analytic writing. Teachers will easily identify with material Newkirk offers, and will find this accessible, personal book will have a positive impact on their ways of approaching children's literacy.
