Now in its fully updated fourth edition, the bestselling Descriptosaurus continues to help improve students' creative writing, confidence and facility with sentence construction.

It provides young writers with a language toolkit with which to expand their descriptive vocabulary, experiment with language and sentence structure and build up narratives based around settings, characters and creatures. Its inspiring, original and proven approach encourages use of the correct grammatical structures, and helps children add colour to their writing through evaluation and experimentation.

This expanded edition has been tailored to the needs of children aged 9-12. It includes new vocabulary for non-fiction topics such as volcanoes, mountains and caves and an additional chapter to cover the popular primary topic of cold climates and polar exploration. Also new guidance is provided on how word clines can be used to expand vocabulary and explore shades of meaning and new tools provided to support the teaching of sentence construction using imitation, combining and expansion techniques.

Accompanied by Instructor and Student Resources containing all the games, planning sheets and vocabulary builders from the book, it is written for English teachers, literacy coordinators and PGCE students, particularly Primary PGCE with English specialism.

Reviews from previous editions:

‘This book is a treasure trove of descriptive language… Highly recommended for both teachers and parents. I wish I’d had a copy of this book when I was a full time English teacher! Invest in a copy today; you’ll be glad you did.’

Sue Cowley, bestselling author, teacher and teacher trainer

‘Help to banish "blank page syndrome" forever, with this innovative book… Created by teacher, Alison Wilcox, this inspirational book will build children’s confidence in their writing ability.’

Literacy Times Plus

‘A real "godsend" to hard-pressed teachers, parents and pupils.’

Denis Hayes, author of Foundations of Primary Teaching

‘…perfect for the modern day classroom… fantastic!’

Emma Palastanga, primary deputy head

‘The… book/CD will be so helpful to teachers who are struggling to think of different ways to say things and will enhance their planning and teaching. As a classroom resource it will be invaluable.’

Elaine Smitheman, primary school teacher

Alison Wilcox has extensive teaching experience in schools in England and Scotland. Colleagues describe her methods as ‘innovative and inspirational to even the most reluctant of writers'.