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Eileen Spinelli
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The Best Story Hardcover – Illustrated, May 29, 2008

by Eileen Spinelli (Author), Anne Wilsdorf (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 469 ratings
Teachers' pick
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The best story is one that comes from the heart.

The library is having a contest for the best story, and the quirky narrator of this book just has to win that rollercoaster ride with her favorite author! But what makes a story the best?

Her brother Tim says the best stories have lots of action. Her father thinks the best stories are the funniest. And Aunt Jane tells her that the best stories have to make people cry. A story that does all these things doesn't seem quite right, though, and the one thing the whole family can agree on is that the best story has to be your own.

Anne Wilsdorf's hilarious illustrations perfectly capture this colorful family and their outrageous stories in Eileen Spinelli's heartfelt tale about creativity and finding your own voice.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    540L
  6. Dimensions
    8.31 x 0.36 x 10.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Dial Books
  8. Publication date
    May 29, 2008
  9. ISBN-10
    9780803730557
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0803730557
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Spinelli fashions a plot that goes to the core of storytelling: writing from the heart. Motivated by the Red Brick Library's contest to "write the best story" and the added attraction of "a ride on the Sooper Dooper Looper roller coaster" with her favorite author, this pigtailed, blond (unnamed) heroine sets out to win the prize. Stymied, she consults her brother, who suggests action; her father, who wants plenty of humor; her Aunt Jane, who advises to make people cry; and cousin Anika, who longs for romance. The resulting hodgepodge satisfies no one—including herself. Only after Mom's astute recommendation (writing from the heart) does the would-be author find satisfaction. Whether she wins the prize or not is left to speculation, but readers will realize that her "best story" is the one she accomplishes on her own. Wilsdorf perks up this somewhat predictable, but nevertheless affirming, tale with energetic, comical drawings awash in lively colors. As the story variations flow off the girl's writing pad, images of a pirate, a shark, a monkey, a cat, and a girl named Grace frolic across the pages in a variety of guises and situations. In addition, the amusing background details are sure to provoke a giggle. While this book may not attract individual readers, it will work well as an introduction to creative writing in the classroom and give hope to any young writer trying to turn an idea into a good story.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Eileen Spinelli lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Anne Wilsdorf lives in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0803730551
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dial Books; Illustrated edition (May 29, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780803730557
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0803730557
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 540L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.31 x 0.36 x 10.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 469 ratings

About the author

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Eileen Spinelli

Eileen Spinelli

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Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
469 global ratings
What makes a story the best? If it's your own story from your own heart
5 Stars
What makes a story the best? If it's your own story from your own heart
Bright illustrations, clever ideas, excellent story.In this story a little girl decides to write the best story ever for a writing competition. She asks her family for advice and they all tell her something different. Her brother wants a story with a lot of action so she writes one of those but it doesn't satisfy her. Her dad says that the best stories are funny so she writes a funny story but it's not quite right. Her aunt and her cousin ask for other things and she writes a story using those ideas as well but nothing works out just right and her story doesn't satisfy her.Finally she asks her mother what sort of story is the best story and her mother says that the best stories come from your own heart and when the little girl writes a story that comes from her own heart and finds it's the best story.
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Top reviews from the United States

ekm
5.0 out of 5 stars What a creative book about writing!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
The Best Story is an excellent book about writing and being true to yourself. My seven year old (second grade) granddaughter loved it!! I loved it!! The illustrations are so creative and hilarious. The expressions of the various characters including the cat are priceless! The message of the book is a great one for all ages. My granddaughter really keyed in on the message of the book and started a conversation about it the minute the last word was read. We also spent extra time enjoying all the details of the illustrations and all the imagination involved in creating this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for my lesson
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024
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I used this for a writing lesson about writing about our experiences. The kids were obsessed with this book, they understood the concept, and the superintendent complimented my lesson and said I chose the perfect text
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tyflpl
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is great for teaching children about how to find ideas for their writing. All of the first grade teachers at my school, myself included, use this book for that purpose each year. The kids love it and it relates perfectly to the lesson.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great message...Fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
I gave it 5 stars because there wasn't any more to give! This is our first Eileen Spinelli story and I want to give her a hug! This is a powerful story that I think EVERY child should hear! It could just be the experiences I'm having with my own children, but sometimes curriculum (not the fault of the teachers) puts too much emphasis on grammar and structure in K-2nd grade writing to make the "Best Story", that I think it's hard for these young minds to let out all of their wonderful and creative writing. Thank you Eileen Spinelli, for sending the message to write what's inside of you in such a darling and fun way!
3 people found this helpful
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Rylee T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for school!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
Bought this for our writing specialist at the school I teach at and it was so cute! Great for talking about "authors purpose" and why people write at all!
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paul couture
4.0 out of 5 stars the only way I know if it was good is to ask her
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was a gift to my granddaughter, the only way I know if it was good is to ask her. My 8 year old granddaughter said she liked the book, of coarse I have to take her word for it, that's the only way I can review the book.....as long as she liked it, that's good enough for me.....
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penny
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to launch writer's workshop.
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
I plan to use this book on the first day of school! I think it will show them that they do have ideas about things to write and, hopefully, they will be able to jot down some topics of things they love after listening and discussing this story!
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Judy
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
I ordered this book as a mentor text to use before a writing assignment with my class. I referred back to this book for the entire week. The kids loved it!
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Top reviews from other countries

Haren
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on October 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
The quality of the book is really good. It arrived in exactly as new no damage.
Thank you
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Warren Wollmann
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
LOVE this for introducing Author's Purpose units and many others.
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Gracy N.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice
Reviewed in India on April 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
Lovely book, good quality , kids loved it!
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