No one else can say

What you have seen

And heard

And felt

Today____

But if you tell us well,

Very well

Your stories will seem like our own

What do young writers do when they have writer's block? They read Janet Wong's You Have to Write, a poetry book that encourages young people to embrace writing assignments. In extremely lively, upbeat, and rhythmic text, Wong humorously suggests writing about holes in your socks, your father's snoring, or grandmother's knuckles.  She also offers more conventional suggestions such as writing about your pet, the future, or bad times. In a truly creative fashion, Wong makes writing seem as easy as picking up a pencil!

Flavin's illustrations are brightly colored and showcase children of various ethnic backgrounds. From an African-American boy with chubby cheeks to an Asian-American girl with dark hair and bangs, Flavin's paintings show writers block is an experience sometimes shared by everyone!  Flavin's drawings complement the poem superbly and each page includes a unique picture that highlights Wong's creative rhymes.