Creative Writing Supplement Review

Story Starters, by Karen Andreola, is perfect for your reluctant writers and it is a creative writing supplement that can be used for a change of pace along side any writing program. If you’ve heard about using narration as a grammar tool, you will definitely want Story Starters on your school shelf.

The name Story Starters is just what it says, a start of a story. And if you haven’t guessed it yet, the child reads the beginning of the engaging story and gets to finishe the story. For younger ages you could use it as narration practice and for older ones you would want them to write the rest of the story. Karen gives you several ways to use this book as you gradually progress through the stories. You do not have to use all the stories, you can pick and choose. There are even some pictures with no beginning story so that the child can start from the very beginning. The stories are exciting or intense and they are a mix of kind gestures and heroic deeds. If you are wanting to incorporate character training into your homeschool, these stories are perfect for open-ended discussions on virtues. Also, if you are a sucker for vintage illustrations, like I am, then you won’t be able to pass up this resource. I like to color them with my littlest one, while the older ones read me their stories ending!

Key points to remember about Story Starters:

• suggested use is for grades 4-12 (little ones can color the illustrations and feel like they are participating)
• non-consumable (one book per family)
• creative writing supplemental resource
• character themes that lead to good discussions
• illustrated with timeless pictures
• reluctant-writer proof

Written by Brenda

Side note: If you use IEW, then Story Starters is perfect for units III and V. That’s when we have a chance to pull out this great resource.