Is That a Fact?

Teaching Pre K-8, Mar 2002 by Broderick, Patricia, Raymond, Allen

This is just the best book! Tony Stead is the author. We've known Tony for several years and he really is Australia's gift to the U.S. and particularly to teachers and kids in the U.S. The subtitle of Tony's book is Teaching Nonfiction Writing K-3.

There are 11 chapters covering nonfiction writing from opening the door through helping with spelling, descriptive reports and nonfiction narrative. The writing is present tense, teacher-toteacher. Although nothing about the writing screams `This is an expert talking to you," it doesn't have to do that. It includes solid information, with teachable, eminently doable ideas presented in an easy-toread format.

The ideas are well-illustrated with comprehensive descriptions of activities with lists of the necessary considerations before the activities are implemented.

As Tomie dePaola writes in the foreword, "...Just read and listen to Tony. He will guide you so gently and so convincingly to realize the importance of nonfiction writing for very young children." We surely couldn't have said it any better. 252 pages, paperbound, 8" x 10," just $19.50. Stenhouse Publishers.

Stenhouse Publishers 477 Congress St, Ste. 4B Portland, ME 04101-3451 Onzelle Gregory Lititz, PA