“This student-friendly book is a good resource for both children and their parents as the first research paper assignment is given. … Bentley adds some fun to her book as she uses the copycat cat caricature to relate important information in each chapter…a good selection to have on the shelves to support the language arts curriculum. Grades 5-7.–Jeanne Martin, M. ED. Ingram Library Services: K-12

“. . . the volume . . . is informative and accessible and could help students better understand the report-writing process.” The Horn Book Guide

“Learn how to create a great original report using your own words and learning the research process.” TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee

“. . . text is easy-to-understand . . . this little book should be in all elementary and middle school libraries.” Garland Independent School District, November

“Teachers of upper elementary students need this book in their classroom and in the school or public library . . . a great resource for use in the classroom, at home with parents, or in a library.” Children’s Literature

“. . . a great source for the student . . . a very useful device that does not talk down to the user.”

BookLinx Book Evaluation Program

“. . . a fabulous book . . . takes the reader through the steps of preparing a paper or report in a very methodical fashion.”

Denton Independent School District

“A must for libraries — school and public.”

Northeastern Maine Library District

“Book extensively covers topic of plagiarism . . . a wonderful resource . . .”

Librarian’s Book Review

“How to make a video, from idea to finished product, is presented in short precise text and clever cartoons. The authors have efficiently outlined the stages of development, including planning, production, and editing, giving step-by-step instructions for each level and providing sample storyboard forms and camera sheets.” – School Library Journal

“The authors … take readers step by step through the preliminaries (choosing the type of film and writing the script, etc.) and the actual production process, using a ready combination of illustrations and succinct description to guide the way. Technical sections – on lighting and editing, for example – barely scratch the surface of their subjects, but they still give novice moviemakers an idea of what counts. Given the growing popularity of video cameras and the emphasis on technology in the schools, this book won’t stay on the shelf long.” – Booklist

“The appeal of this title is that it not only gives step-by-step directions to help illustrate and produce a book, but also discusses the fiction and nonfiction writing process. The full-color illustrations reiterate points made in the text and complement it well, showing in a graphic and fun manner the how-to’s of becoming an author. Would be writers couldn’t be anything but successful if they use this concise manual.” – School Library Journal

“Young Author’s is an illustrated, step-by-step guide that breaks down the process of making a book into manageable stages: deciding what kind of book to write, then organizing, writing, editing, illustrating, assembling, and binding it…. One of the book’s strengths is its clear, no-nonsense approach to writing in a section that encompasses nearly half the text.” – Booklist

“A step-by-step guide that explains what a journalist does, what makes an interesting story, and how newspapers differ from books. Students learn about gathering facts, writing a story, proofreading, designing layout, printing, and distributing their newspaper. There are frequent references to using computers in the process. The authors describe the different types of stories, e.g., news, features, and editorials, with hints on how to write each one and suggestions for topics. The full-color cartoons are appealing. Inspirational, practical fare for writers and would-be reporters. – School Library Journal

“In a sprightly introduction to journalism, the authors begin with what a journalist is (someone who can view various sides of the situation and present the facts fairly; someone who can take complicated ideas and write about them clearly) and then describe how to start a newspaper, decide what’s newsworthy, write a news story, and find a journalistic writing style. The book goes on to examine various features, including op-ed pieces and comic strips packing in a lot of information. The format is particularly nice: each subject gets only a page or two of treatment; clean, white pages are the background for the cartoon-style illustrations that enliven every page. Information is presented in lists for easy consumption or in paragraphs “slugged,” as they say in the newspaper business, with stars to highlight important points. Occasionally some of the information doesn’t jibe with what has come before, but overall this is a good jumping-off point for kids who have a nose for news. A handy guide for school newspaper staffs, too.”
– Booklist

“…an easy-to-read how-to-do-it guide, with a welcome emphasis on the structure and content of the drama rather than on the technicalities of acting and production. The authors cover various types of plays (pantomime, improvisation, skits, etc.); steps to writing plays (character, setting, dialogue, action, conflict, plot, and theme); and stages in production (responsibilities of the various crew members, auditions and rehearsals, and the rudiments of acting and directing). Excerpts from five sample scripts, each from a different type of drama, bring the book to a close. An admirably lucid and concise presentation of the essentials of stagecraft, with plenty of encouragement for aspiring thespians.” – Kirkus Reviews

“This brightly illustrated book introduces drama and encourages young people to take an active part, on stage or behind the scenes. The discussion begins with descriptions of 11 types of plays and furnishes suggestions or tips for each one. The rest of the book takes children through the practical steps that lead to a good production: brainstorming, writing the script, choosing the crew and case, preparing the stage, rehearsing the lines, and performing the play. Bentley and Guthrie’s descriptions and directions are simple, practical, and generally clear. Small, colorful illustrations appear throughout the book, giving it an appealing, lighthearted look that may convince readers that putting on a play really can be fun. A good starting place for young dramatists.” – Booklist

 “A book with a message of self-acceptance. Nahzella, a witch, has a tiny, button nose ‘… fit for a princess, not for a witch.’ Madden’s scratchy, humorous drawings perfectly portray a pudding-bag, befuddled, ineffective Nahzella who couldn’t scare even the most timid, regardless of her nose. She’s a winner for sharing any time of year.” – School Library Journal

“Unhappy with her small, cute nose, a witch keeps swapping noses with people and animals she meets, but each nose is worse than her own. Colorful cartoonlike paintings illustrate the humor of the story.” – Horn Book Guide

• A Junior Library Guild Selection, 1992

“After asking in the introduction, ‘Are you a writer?’ the authors delve into big subjects such as characters, plot, point of view, etc., as well as the necessary elements in writing fiction, short stories, mysteries, sf, fantasy, and humor. A chapter on writing for the screen shows that the authors put no limits on what they think their audience can do. Along with solid advice in every chapter, there is information on each genre and how to write it, and writing exercises. The clean format dotted with ink drawings looks young, but it’s still inviting. For writers ready to make their move, there’s information on traditional as well as Website addresses for 12 online markets.” – Booklist