'The book is especially valuable because it offers readers a springboard to understanding how the various elements of narratives work—Forde introduces point of view, voice, protagonist, conflict, arc, tone, exposition, motive, and much more. Murphy’s clever spot-art vignettes, depicting children with different skin tones and abilities, and diagrams clarifying the writing principles add energy and humor and helpfully present the material. The friendly voice, useful strategies, and excellent advice make this a valuable and accessible resource. Entertaining, comprehensive, and encouraging; for anyone who’s curious about how stories work.' — Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)

'A rich resource with a Gaelic flavor' — Booklist

'For all young readers with big imaginations and ambitions of being an author, this book is gateway to their dreams.' — The Irish Examiner

'Full of useful and practical tips, from how to write comedy to how to write a cracking mystery story. Each section has striking illustrations by Mary Murphy and the book is designed with great care and attention.' — The Irish Independent

PRAISE FOR THE GIRL WHO FELL TO EARTH

'Suspenseful and thought-provoking.' – Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR BUMPFIZZLE: THE BEST ON PLANET EARTH

'Forde’s inventive wordsmithing and her instinct for the ridiculous will have kids in stitches.’ – The New York Times

'... his purportedly extraterrestrial perspective and bombastic voice propel this tongue-in-cheek misadventure.' – Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR THE LIST

'[A] gripping postapocalyptic thriller... It is a well-crafted page-turner, as well as a compelling commentary on censorship and the role of language, while also inviting discussion about what distinguishes humans from animals. For dystopian fiction aficionados, this well-paced entry offers plenty of food for thought.' — School Library Journal

'Forde's pacing and characterization are compelling… An intriguing speculation about authoritarian futures with a terrific cover.' — Kirkus Reviews

Patricia Forde is from Galway on the west coast of Ireland. She has published several picture books in Irish and in English, and four novels for children with Little Island. The List was published by SourceBooks in the US, and The Girl who Fell to Earth (a Bank Street Best Children's Book 2024) was published in the US by Little Island in 2023. Two of her novels with Little Island: The List and The Last Lie, are Library Association of America Notable Books for Children, and were awarded White Raven awards by the International Youth Library. She is currently Laureate na nÓg, Ireland's Children's Literature Laureate (2023- 2026).

Mary Murphy’s first book, I Like it When… was published with Egmont in 1997. Since then she has written and illustrated about 50 books, mainly bright, strong books for preschoolers. Her first novel, The Minute Minders, was published by Pushkin Press in 2024.

1. Eureka! Inspiration and Ideas (+ Letter to the reader by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick)
2. Who on Earth? Developing Characters (+ Letter to the reader by Eoin Colfer)
3. And Then... And Then... What Next? Creating Plot (+ Letter to the reader by Pádraig Kenny)
4. Where in the World? Setting (+ Letter to the reader by Jane Mitchell)
5. Start Your Engines Beginnings (+ Letter to the reader by Siobhán Parkinson)
6. It's a Wrap Endings (+ Letter to the reader by Dave Rudden)
7. Bricks and Mortar Worldbuilding (+ Letter to the reader by Sam Thompson)
8. Funny Bone Writing Comedy (+ Letter to the reader by Alan Nolan)
9. Follow the Clues How to Write a Cracking Mystery (+ Letter to the reader by Derek Landy)
10. Dig Deep Writing Historical Fiction (+ Letter to the reader by Sarah Webb)
11. Long, Long Ago Myth, Legend and Fable (+ Letter to the reader by Catherine Doyle)
12. Once More with Feeling The Edit (+ Letter to the reader by Sheena Wilkinson)