My Storee: Just because you can't spell doesn't mean you can't write!

Description

A young boy has a mind full of wonderful stories but when he writes them down, day after day, they come back covered in red pen after his teachers have corrected his spelling. It seems his dyslexia will always hold him back from sharing his creativity the way he longs to. Then a new teacher arrives at the school. Mr Watson tells magical stories and draws wonderful pictures. He makes his students feel safe. He inspires them to be themselves. He doesn't cover the boy's stories in red pen - and with this newfound acceptance the boy finally feels comfortable to just write! My Storee is a story of hope and acceptance into a world of literature that can too often seem impossible or difficult for dyslexic children to enter because of the rules that surround it. It highlights the magic and importance of 'story', the ideas and the creativity behind literature that are too often taught out of children through an over-emphasis on teaching them rules, structure and spelling. It is an engaging and creatively designed picture book that provides inspiration and support for reluctant writers and dyslexics, and shows the importance and power of good teachers. It is also the story of Paul Russell, the author, who as a dyslexic boy was inspired to become the writer and teacher he is today because of one teacher who believed in him.

Paul Russell is a teacher, artist, playwright, author and father of two. This, his second picture book, is inspired by his own experience with dyslexia. Aska is an award-winning illustrator, artist and scientist, who has lived all over the world but now calls Australia home.

"My Year One students found this story engaging and loved the message just because you can't spell doesn't mean you can't write." * Education Young Children * "This book will be a huge encouragement to students struggling with learning disabilities, and will help teachers reinforce the idea that the classroom is a safe place to have a go." * Kids' Book Review * "..."My Storee" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children..." * Midwest Book Review * "This book will be a huge encouragement to students struggling with learning disabilities, and will help teachers reinforce the idea that the classroom is a safe place to have a go." * Reading Time * "The illustrations in My Storee are colourful and joyous, filled with cartoon characters such as live pencils, surfing mice and unicorn detectives, so they are sure to be enjoyed by child readers * Buzz Words Magazine * "Author Paul Russell and Designer Aska have created a beautiful book, one that just says it all for me. The story is great, and the illustrations are gorgeous - especially those dragons - and it made me feel so much better..." * What's Up Downunder Magazine * "Paul Russell is a children's book author and a primary school teacher. He also has dyslexia. His new book, My Storee, is inspired by his experiences as a student (and the one teacher who believed in him). It encourages kids to explore their creativity without being held hostage by the difficulties spelling presents for people with dyslexia." * Practical Parenting * "Children with dyslexia or those who have trouble with spelling will love My Storee." * New Idea magazine * "Aimed at 4-10-year-olds, the book tells the tale of an imaginative boy who hates to write at school because he's so discouraged by the red corrections all over his work. * Australian Teacher Magazine * This is the first picture book I have seen that offers encouragement and understanding to children who struggle with spelling. They will relate to the discouragement of having their spelling errors constantly corrected and will find encouragement that their creative ideas are more important. The story has a message at another level for teachers - to consider the negative effect that an overemphasis on correct spelling can have on children's attitude towards writing. Counsellors will find this a helpful resource for children aged 5 - 10 who have lost confidence due to their spelling difficulties. Teachers who have an emphasis on correct spelling might be challenged reading this book! -- Hazel Prickett * New Zealand Association of Counsellors magazine *