Tulip and Rex Write a Story: A Sweet Picture Book About Imagination and Words for Kids

Tulip and Rex

by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Sarah Massini (Illustrator)

In Tulip and Rex Write a Story, the dance-loving duo from Tulip Loves Rex finds a new passion—collecting words and using them to tell a story. The writing theme makes this book a must for classroom libraries, parents looking for reading and writing activities to do at home, or anyone who loved Tad Hill's Rocket Writes a Story or Kate Banks and Boris Kulikov's Max's Words.

Alyssa Satin Capucilli, beloved author of the bestselling Biscuit books, has written a sweet story perfect for preschool and early elementary school readers. Sarah Massini's illustrations burst with texture, energy, and tenderness.

Tulip and Rex's "word walk" and their subsequent imaginative play convey the subtle message that you don't have to be able to read or write yet to love words and storytelling, and you don't have to be behind a school desk to write a story—all you need is the world around you and a big imagination.

Genres: Picture Books, Writing, Friendship, Childrens, Dogs, Nature, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2015

About the author

Alyssa Satin Capucilli was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and pursued her interest in dance, becoming a professional dancer and dance instructor. Though Capucilli had written stories, poems, and even puppet shows as a child, she didn't consider a career as a writer until after her own two children were born. To this day she sees herself as both a dancer and a writer, and the two professions complement each other nicely: dancing is, in her words, “telling stories in another way,” and readers of her children's books can attest to the rhythm of her language. Since 1994, she has written more than 15 books for children, and her work has been translated into French, Hebrew, Afrikaans, Greek, and Bulgarian.

Capucilli lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband and children. They have a chocolate Labrador retriever named Huckleberry, who likes to watch the author at work.

Reviews

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd have much preferred that the initial "word walk" concept be developed in a more original, less didactic way. I'm sure this will serve many teachers well as an example of using a writer's notebook, jotting down interesting words and ideas, observing life closely, etc., but as a book children would read, request, and reread it falls flat. Tulip and rex are both charming, and some may fall in love with them, but I didn't.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new notebook from Grandma inspires creativity.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good choice for introducing writer's notebooks.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the idea of going on a "word walk" and writing the words down in a notebook to create a story with later. I adore the lively illustrations.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Perfect to introduce the concept of doing a word walk with kids. I also really liked the illustrations.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Capucilli, Alyssa Satin Tulip and Rex Write a Story, illustrated by Sarah Massini. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2015. $17.99. Content: G.

When Tulip receives a notebook and a leash from her grandmother, she feels like it's a sign that she should take her dog for a walk. As they wander the city toward the park, Tulip records interesting words in her notebook. Afterward she creates a story, scattering the words from her list throughout.

I love the idea of creating a list of interesting words and incorporating them into a story. In fact, I think it would make a wonderful lesson. The illustrations are fantastic, too -- quirky yet clear, and the subtle presence of Tulip's parents is well-done. Unfortunately, the text itself is far longer than it needs to be. It could easily have been shortened by a third or even a half. As it is now, it lacks the perky pace that would make for a truly great read-aloud during a library or classroom lesson. Some students may enjoy checking it out and reading it on their own, however.

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Christine Turner]

In Tulip and Rex Write a Story, the dance-loving duo from Tulip Loves Rex finds a new passion collecting words and using them to tell a story. Tulip and Rex's "word walk" and their subsequent imaginative play convey the subtle message that you don't have to be able to read or write yet to love words and storytelling, and you don't have to be behind a school desk to write a story, all you need is the world around you and a big imagination. The writing theme makes this book a must for classroom libraries, and for parents looking for reading and writing activities to do at home. Alyssa Satin Capucilli, beloved author of the bestselling Biscuit books, has written a sweet story perfect for preschool and early elementary school readers. Sarah Massini's illustrations burst with texture, energy, and tenderness.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! There were lots of good things introduced in this story - I like the concept of a word walk! I've heard of such things, but never really saw what the execution would look like. I also liked the bonus assignment at the end of the book, using the words you collected to make a new story.

Also - Tulip's PARENTS are in the book! They don't really do a whole lot - the book is definitively about Tulip and Rex - but you can see her mom and dad leaving the house, walking behind them, and staying nearby as the little girl and her dog play. Hooray for supervised children playing in Central Park!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex and Tulip accomplish a lot in this small story, and it's all fascinating, sweet and captivating. When Tulip receives a journal, she takes her dog Rex on a nature walk where they begin gathering words. Eventually, these words become a story Tulip writes and Rex has the starring role, with the artwork beautifully transforming him into his storybook role. Tulip's story doesn't end, however, because lunch is called, and she knows she'll be able to finish it another day. Besides being a lovely story, this would be an excellent introduction to writing for young children, whether they're keeping nature journal or concept words. Highly recommended.

[Jtimko · Rating 4 out of 5]

When she receives a notebook and Rex, her dog, receives a leash from Grandma, Tulip decides to go on a word walk to collect descriptive words in order to write a story.
Lovely text and beautiful digital illustrations pair up to make this a lovely book for the story time crowd. The large illustrations cover the double page spreads which make for great presentation. The expressions are cute. The words that Tulip collects are very descriptive and make for an easy story at the end. This is a great team that produces lovely stories for individual sharing or story time. Recommended for grades Pre-school to 2.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to share different ways authors create a writing process for themselves. In this lively illustrated picture book, Tulip and Rex spend their time walking outdoors, observing nature and writing down words that appeal to them as they describe their activities and environment. Tulip then puts an imaginative spin on their days adventure incorporating all their favorite words. A simple story to get students to look at their own writing in a new way.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're introducing a child to writing this is a magical place to start.
Tulip's walks are richer now that she's writing down what she sees on her walk with Rex. A splash of a mishap gives her an idea and she begins a story with "once up a time..."

A gentle story to inspire the writer in all of us.

[Ashley Biles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Capucilli, A. S. Ill: Massini, S.(2015) Tulip and Rex write a story. New York: Katherine Tegen Books.

This is a cute adventure between a young girl and her dog. She gets a journal gifted to her and they travel around their walk looking for words to put into a story. After finding all these words, they morph it into a story before heading back for lunch!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Perspective switches from characters tulip and Rex imagining a story and then becoming immersed into that imaginative world

I liked this book because I thought it was a cute story about friendship and ones imagination taking off.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Great concept. Sweet pictures. Lovely execution.

[pati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very simple story for the budding author.

[Wendy Kuzma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a another good book for my teacher friends that would be useful for introducing a writing assignment or developing vocabulary.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has great classroom connections to writing. But the story in itself is very didactic. Wish all the words they gathered could have been used in the final "story" in a more clever way.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are sweet and I love the idea of a "word walk". I found too many examples, however, of places where the writing could have been tightened.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be best served if you are talking with kids about the process of writing. There are some ideas that could be expanded upon.

[Written Melodies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. The illustrations fit perfectly with the whimsical nature of the book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of writing down inspiring words into a journal as you travel through your day. Anything that inspires creativity! The story is cute but seems rather incomplete.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

During their walk through the park, Tulip and Rex collect wonderful words that they later transform into a story.

[Megan Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the idea of going on a word walk, and then writing a story using those words! What a cool story!

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little all over the place, but I could make it work for storytime. VOCABULARY, PRINT AWARENESS, WRITE

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tulip and Rex go on a word walk and write a story … though I was surprised there wasn’t more dancing since both characters love dancing.