This short guide to creative writing for children is based on the author's own successful MA course "Writing for Children". Andrew Melrose provides guidance on every aspect of the process of writing for children. He stresses the importance of "writing for" the child and not "writing to or at" them. Literacy and learning depend on writing and reading and it is therefore the responsibility of the writer to understand who they are writing for. The book is divided into four sections which cover various topics including: identifying age groups and their varying viewpoints; plot structure, characters, dialogue and storyline; writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, film and new media, for children of all ages; and do's and don'ts including tips on language, controversial subjects and Websites.