Videos

In the early stages of a book, the story can sometimes seem to write itself. Then come the careful revisions and polish.

For Jules Feiffer, the great fun in creating a book is in the counterpoint between what the text says and how the illustrations react.

After illustrating the Phantom Tollbooth Jules Feiffer never thought about doing children’s books again, until he had his own kids and that changed everything.

Kate Feiffer’s background as a television news reporter taught her to write to the pictures. Jules Feiffer says that picture book making is kind of like film; the text is the starting point for storyboards.

Jules Feiffer describes cartooning as a kind of visual magic act.

Kate and Jules Feiffer have an easy collaborative working style. They vividly remember working together on Which Puppy? and My Side of the Car.

Does your child want to do anything but write? Would they rather do chores than put a pencil to paper? Here are three tips for kids who don’t like to write. Watch as Jules Csillag, MS, a licensed speech-language pathologist and learning specialist, shares tips for parents on how to make writing an enjoyable activity. These writing tips for kids — from how to pick the right topics to utilizing assistive technology — will help to make writing easier and fun. “Most people write because they want to communicate something. And kids have a lot to communicate, so we need to support them in that,” says Jules. 

Writing online, through blogs, wikis, or discussion forums can boost student motivation for writing and help students learn to adapt writing for different audiences, tasks, purposes, and disciplines.

Texting and “text speak” can be used to help build foundational reading skills such as word recognition and phonological awareness. 

Reading experts explain why parents should create opportunities for their children to write.