Amazon Resale
Buy new:
-33% £20.89
FREE delivery Wednesday, 28 May
Dispatches from: Amazon
Sold by: Pure Bergs
£20.89 with 33 percent savings
RRP: £30.99
FREE Returns
FREE delivery Wednesday, 28 May. Details
In stock
££20.89 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££20.89
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatches from
Amazon
Amazon
Dispatches from
Amazon
Returns
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt
Read full Amazon return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
£16.71
Buy from the UK's book specialist with confidence. Now with Royal Mail two day tracking on all UK orders! Enjoy same or next-day dispatch from a top-rated and trusted Amazon seller. Buy from the UK's book specialist with confidence. Now with Royal Mail two day tracking on all UK orders! Enjoy same or next-day dispatch from a top-rated and trusted Amazon seller. See less
FREE delivery 30 - 31 May. Details
Only 1 left in stock.
££20.89 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££20.89
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatched from and sold by WeBuyBooks.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Alison Wilcox
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Descriptosaurus: Supporting Creative Writing for Ages 8–14 Hardcover – 16 Nov. 2017

by Alison Wilcox (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,050 ratings
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"£20.89","priceAmount":20.89,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"20","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"89","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"awQTcLG6Pmu4fHREHYjKdRxOr%2FWGuyqxKuBjAu5c%2BidoBj3TzQpBY4R0%2FdcwdG8p7pR0O5mO20wVZyImBNyHnJGmjCHkKfkFYABvNirDrE3CVGDURSxuejMDGF9151zkwr%2B%2FkFUdekI8y2OFCQcA3chm4%2Bg19MJZViepv0lZMD9ls76%2F6gJCnApsueOIF%2Fu5","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"£16.71","priceAmount":16.71,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"71","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"awQTcLG6Pmu4fHREHYjKdRxOr%2FWGuyqx1DDsSPtz10tcxw5wBWBaY7ZIaJZUnyGY%2FTzOCr5Q2zIMkfNtm4n%2FHhJAtH%2BsqnU1RIJOGVcVUJ284hClAfZN4yicsFNXHsDjTRT6r%2F7OURr7hRbwOlE3J6dbiZdx07bkik6ydlPjxqMxilhGy01Vbw%3D%3D","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Now in a fully updated third edition, Descriptosaurus is the first book for creative writing that is a thematic expansion of a dictionary and a thesaurus; it provides children with a comprehensive resource with which to expand their descriptive vocabulary, experiment with language and sentence structure and build up narratives based around settings, characters and creatures.

Descriptosaurus positions the word, zooms in on it to examine the meaning, expands it into phrases, and then provides alternatives in words, phrases and sentences; the model was created and refined over a number of years as a result of feedback from children inside and outside the classroom as to the resources they required to inspire and assist them with their writing. For reluctant writers or those faced with blank page syndrome, it provides essential starting points to encourage putting pen to paper, not only inspiring children, but also building their confidence, encouraging them to use, apply and create using the correct grammatical structures, and adding colour to their writing through evaluation and experimentation.

New features for this updated third edition include:

    • Sample poems

    • Word banks and model sentences to provide a step-by-step process for development of vocabulary and understanding of phrase, clause and sentence structure

    • Contextualised grammar and punctuation instruction and guidance

    • Units of work where the models can be incorporated in a creative focus

    • A companion website containing all the features of the book, games, planning sheets and vocabulary builders

    This is an ideal resource to dramatically improve children’s creative writing for all KS2 primary and KS3 secondary English teachers, literacy coordinators and parents. It would also make an excellent classroom book for PGCE students, particularly Primary PGCE with English specialism.

    Read more
      Report an issue with this product
    Previous slide of product details
    1. ISBN-10
      1138093025
    2. ISBN-13
      978-1138093027
    3. Edition
      3rd
    4. Publisher
      Routledge
    5. Publication date
      16 Nov. 2017
    6. Language
      English
    7. Dimensions
      20.96 x 1.91 x 29.21 cm
    8. Print length
      302 pages
    Next slide of product details

    Frequently bought together

    Descriptosaurus: Supporting Creative Writing for Ages 8–14
    This item: Descriptosaurus: Supporting Creative Writing for Ages 8–14
    £20.89
    Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 28
    In stock
    Sold by Pure Bergs and sent from Amazon Fulfillment.
    +
    LinkyThinks ADVANCED Word Wheel Book | Vocabulary, Description & Creative Writing | Colour-Coded Tool for Teachers & Students
    £11.99
    Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 28
    In stock
    Sold by LinkyThinks and sent from Amazon Fulfillment.
    Total price: $00
    To see our price, add these items to your basket.
    Details
    Added to Basket
    These items are dispatched from and sold by different sellers.
    Show details Hide details
    Choose items to buy together.
    Free Gift

    Product description

    About the Author

    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'.

    Product details

    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 Nov. 2017
    • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1138093025
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1138093027
    • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.07 kg
    • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years, from customers
    • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.96 x 1.91 x 29.21 cm
    • Customer reviews:
      4.7 out of 5 stars 1,050 ratings

    About the author

    Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
    Alison Wilcox

    Alison Wilcox

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

    Customer reviews

    4.7 out of 5 stars
    1,050 global ratings

    Review this product

    Share your thoughts with other customers
    Write a customer review

    Customers say

    Customers find the book helpful for creative writing, particularly noting how it bursts with vocabulary to up-level writing and gets children's creative juices flowing. Moreover, the book is easy to use and serves as a great resource for children and lessons. However, opinions on value for money are mixed, with some finding it worth the money while others consider it overpriced.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    Select to learn more

    54 customers mention ‘Writing ability’54 positive0 negative

    Customers find the book helpful for creative writing, particularly for descriptive content, with one customer noting it provides relevant words and sentences.

    "This book is a great resource for learning creative writing. My son finds it engaging and fun—he’s really enjoying it so far!" Read more

    "...I cannot believe the improvement in the quality of her writing, and especially the fact that it was instantaneous...." Read more

    "...It's amazing for any youngster who enjoys creative writing." Read more

    "Great for descriptive writing. I have been looking forward to making this pay day purchase...." Read more

    24 customers mention ‘Help for children’21 positive3 negative

    Customers find the book very helpful for children, noting it's great for lessons and perfect for their sons, with one customer mentioning it's particularly useful for expanding vocabulary.

    "I bought this for our 9yr old granddaughter. It's amazing for any youngster who enjoys creative writing." Read more

    "A must have for all children who enjoy creative writing...." Read more

    "...I would recommend this book for all ages. I even take it along to my writing class for adults." Read more

    "I already have bought this book for my niece which was quite helpful and bought this for my daughter.... so there is nothing much about the book as..." Read more

    5 customers mention ‘Ease of use’5 positive0 negative

    Customers find the book easy to use.

    "Easy to use and an excellent resource for 11+ creative writing Absolutely brilliant - my son loves this book and it has really encouraged him to..." Read more

    "...I believe it makes my job easier and also helps the children I teach write better." Read more

    "...is a really comprehensive book which is set out in a practical easy to follow repetitive format...." Read more

    "Fantastic book! Simple but easy to follow with fantastic online resources." Read more

    18 customers mention ‘Value for money’12 positive6 negative

    Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value, with some finding it worth the money while others consider it way overpriced.

    "...Totally worth it!" Read more

    "...It is totally worth the price." Read more

    "I was a little reluctant to buy this book as it is a little pricey, but I have to say it was definitely worth every penny...." Read more

    "Good value for money" Read more

    Fantastic Book was worth the price.
    5 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic Book was worth the price.
    Fabulous book is the expansion of a thesaurus and a dictionary. On last pages of the book it has extra grammar support and some descriptive poetry.
    Hide
    Thank you for your feedback
    Sorry, there was an error
    Sorry, we couldn't load the review

    Top reviews from United Kingdom

    • RR
      5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Starter for Creative Writing at Home
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2025
      Verified Purchase
      This book is a great resource for learning creative writing. My son finds it engaging and fun—he’s really enjoying it so far!
      Helpful
       Report
    • MR
      5.0 out of 5 stars The only book you will need for creative writing!
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2023
      Verified Purchase
      I was a little reluctant to buy this book as it is a little pricey, but I have to say it was definitely worth every penny. Despite the fact that my 8-year old is an avid reader and is very confident in other aspects of the English language, she has always strugled with creative writing. She would often get frustrated with writer's block and her sentences were usually quite simple.

      I bought this book as nothing else seemed to work (story starters, story maps/plans, story cubes etc). The day it arrived I asked her to use the book to write a small paragraph describing a winter's day. For the first time ever, she did not experience frustration whilst writing. The book helped her to put ideas into expressive sentences. At first she copied bits and pieces striaght out of it, but once she got a feel for how to create an interesting sentence, she started to make up her own. My reluctant writer now enjoys descriptive writing and asks to use the book regularly! I cannot believe the improvement in the quality of her writing, and especially the fact that it was instantaneous. The teacher who wrote this book is a genius. It works on the principle that you must first be shown what well-written sentences look like before you can make your own. All schools should have a copy of this book!
      5 people found this helpful
      Helpful
       Report
    • Black-cats
      5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 November 2024
      Verified Purchase
      I bought this for our 9yr old granddaughter. It's amazing for any youngster who enjoys creative writing.
      Helpful
       Report
    • MISS H.
      4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, poor packaging
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Great for descriptive writing. I have been looking forward to making this pay day purchase.
      Disappointingly ruined by the staff who packaged it, as it now has the packaging stuck to it, which can't be removed without further damaging the book.
      Customer image
      MISS H.
      4.0 out of 5 stars
      Great book, poor packaging

      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2024
      Great for descriptive writing. I have been looking forward to making this pay day purchase.
      Disappointingly ruined by the staff who packaged it, as it now has the packaging stuck to it, which can't be removed without further damaging the book.
      Images in this review
      Customer image
      Helpful
       Report
    • becky
      5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Very good book for leaning how to write.
      Helpful
       Report
    • BF
      5.0 out of 5 stars Can't rate it highly enough - 10 stars!
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Easy to use and an excellent resource for 11+ creative writing Absolutely brilliant - my son loves this book and it has really encouraged him to write stories.
      One person found this helpful
      Helpful
       Report
    • Amazon Customer
      5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Wonderful as expected!
      Helpful
       Report
    • Anne Zakiewicz
      5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational to someone with a flaire for writing
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2024
      Verified Purchase
      It gave my grand-daughter lots of new ideas and ways to express herself and enrich her writing skills.
      Helpful
       Report

    Top reviews from other countries

    Translate all reviews to English
    • lorraine katerson
      5.0 out of 5 stars A teacher's treasure!
      Reviewed in the United States on 11 October 2019
      Verified Purchase
      Totally impressed with the content and the flexibilty with which I can use it.
      One person found this helpful
       Report
    • Arouge Qamar
      4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
      Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 3 October 2021
      Verified Purchase
      Excellent, must have to improve childrens creative writing abilities. Very pricey though
      Report
    • Ana
      5.0 out of 5 stars Bueno
      Reviewed in Spain on 18 February 2020
      Verified Purchase
      Bueno
      Report
    • Derrick Sutherland
      5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book and service.
      Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2019
      Verified Purchase
      This book will help in my son's development in Creative Writing.
      Report
    • Susanne winter
      5.0 out of 5 stars It helps to think a little further.....
      Reviewed in the United States on 27 September 2018
      Verified Purchase
      Extremely useful, easy to follow.
      Report