Fireflies: A Writer's Notebook

Coleen knows how to bring out the writer in all of us! She creates the sparks that inspire our best thinking.dreaming and writing, especially for new writers.

Every evening my children and I sit together and do something creative just for fun. Sometimes we draw, sometimes we write poetry, sometimes we tell stories. I have used a lot of journal prompt books like Rip the Page, which are geared more towards adults, simply changing the prompt slightly if needed. When I saw that this beautiful (and I mean BEAUTIFUL) journal for children was published, I was so excited, I couldn't wait to see what it was like!Fireflies is living up to or exceeding all of my expectations. First of all, it is not only gorgeous, but it is sturdily constructed. Like all Little Pickle Press books, it is printed on recycled paper with soy inks, which please my environmentally conscious soul. Coleen Paratore starts with the spark of fireflies and goes on to provide children with prompt after thoughtful prompt to get them thinking, dreaming, and writing. The prompts are fresh and interesting, none of the tired old ones that kids learn to dread from schoolbooks, and the book's design leaves a lot of space for kids to really write their hearts out, which makes them very happy. We have found that the children end up starting with a prompt from the book, then go on and follow their own paths, writing more each day and loving it.If there were ten stars available for this review, I would give them to Fireflies. A lovely, lovely, book- and, I have to say, NOT just for children!

I'm loving Fireflies by Coleen Murtagh Paratore. Her premise is that ideas are like fireflies and if you don't capture them, they'll flitter away.The book itself is gorgeous. It's listed as a paperback, but feels more like a hardback to me. The pages are stitched, so I can believe that it'll hold together for years (and the author encourages you to date your entries so that you can look back on them later.) Most of the pages are blank, or nearly blank except for writing prompts. Some are lined, some aren't, and they're a variety of different colors, all light enough that they won't distract from your writing.Although the book is meant for kids, the prompts aren't age specific. They don't ask you to write about things that you write about something you might not have any interest in. Teenage Daughter has called dibs on it as soon as I'm done writing this post. I could see it being a good choice for an adult who wants to write but doesn't know where to start.Disclosure - the publisher provided me with a copy of the book.

As a professional writer and someone who has worked with children as a den leader and the lucky duck who got to work w/ our elementary school librarian bringing in cultural programs to support teachers' and librarians' work, I am so HAPPY to see this scrumptious addition to the canon of books designed to help get kids writing. This book is fun. It is fun to hold and flip through. I love its art direction. And, I think, kids will be pulled in and their engagement w/ writing will deepen at the many thoughtful, inspirational quotes throughout and its practical hands-on approach to getting kids writing. I can also add that its author was a knock-it-out-of-the-park speaker at our elementary school (way back when, right b/f her first Willa book came out) who inspired, engaged and taught, w/o anyone knowing they were being taught to. She loves kids, loves teachers and loves librarians.

I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley to review. It looks like a lovely writing journal with beautiful graphics and interesting writing prompts. I think that adults would enjoy using this journal as much as children would. I think it would be fun for homeschoolers and would make a great gift.

I loved this book!!!! I absolutely love writing but get frustrated by all the rules my teachers have given me that sometimes hinder my creativity. I'm so glad that I've found a book to inspire creativity through useful advice and thought-provoking questions. I recommend to all who love writing/want to explore it (no matter your level of experience).

The book is full of innovative prompts that any writer will find helpful. I'm working my way through them as a way to warm up for each writing session.

Like fireflies captured on a warm summer evening, writers of all ages will treasure this journal. It's a field to run through, a place to explore, and just the "jar" writers need to catch the sparks of their imagination…before they fly away!