Author Studies: Frank Serafini and Jane Yolen

Author Studies are a powerful tool to help students think deeply about how an author writes, literacy techniques and craft, vocabulary, and how life experience influences topics. We want our students to think of themselves as authors (they are!) and identify with the ways authors make choices and move through the writing process. This month, some students are studying Frank Serafini and others are looking at Jane Yolen. You can add to the power of these studies by reading books by these authors at home and talking about what you notice in the books. Visit the library, read before bedtime, and model reading for your children. Also, take time to talk about authors with your child. Here are some guiding questions you might discuss. Remember, adults should answer these questions too!

* Who are your favorite authors?
* What do you like about their writing?
* How do you get ideas to write about?
* If you could read about anything in the world, what would it be?