The Big Beginnings of the Big Book

The beginnings of stories are very important. How do we make them interesting? Well, if we avoid always starting the same way - avoid "Once upon a time" and avoid "One day..", then we might be on the right track.

Check this beginning:-

Mr. Fox was happy. Mr. Fox was excited. Mr. Fox was over the moon!

It was Race Day!

He loved race day.

Mr. Fox thought about the three farmers. "If those three farmers are in the race, I will beat them! I know I'll win, because I practice a lot. They have no chance!"

What do you think? The writers know their audience - Year 1 students. So they are trying to attract their readers' attention straight away.

Here's another one.

A long time ago in America, there lived a wise animal king. His name was Walrus the Wise. He was the kindest person you could ever wish to meet.

But Walrus was worried. There were lots of animals who wanted to be king, especially mean, old tiger. His name was Max (Well actually, Evil Max).

So Walrus declared a race. "Animal friends!" said Walrus. "If you want to be king........"

The writers have used some good characterization here, introducing two different characters in a style that suits a Year 1 audience.

This one's different.

On one mystical planet far away from earth, lived a toilet. The toilet lived on this freaky, green planet.

There wasa toilet who went by the name, Toilet Man. He was a super hero.

Suddenly, the planet was attacked by Spew Monsters.

"Help us Toilet Man!" cried the citizens..............

Well, let's see how the audience handles that one!

Here's something more back to earth.

There was family called the Peace family and they lived in an old wooden house,high in the mountains, near a lush, green forest.

That's why they were called the Peace family. All the animals around chit-chatted because they were so happy to live in the forest near the big, old wooden house.........

They writer has created an interesting, but simple setting. suitable for a Year 1 audience.

Something younger.

Down on the old farm, lived a farmer and five little pigs. The farmer's name was Shania and the five little pigs' names were Dax, Clarissa, Eric, Janice and the last one, Evan.

One morning, the five little pigs wanted to help the farmer clean the roof of his house. Dax cleaned the roof and sang as he worked. Clarissa cleaned the floor and danced.

The writers here have created a busy atmosphere as their setting with simple charcters, making it easy for the audience to focus and to keep up easily with the story tellers.