Title: Cursive Writing the Easy Way
Author: Barbara Pieper Walding
Publisher: Lettra Press LLC
ISBN: 164552180X
Pages: 48
Genre: Educational / Workbook
Reviewer: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
When not typing or texting, nowadays people write with the ubiquitous ball-point pen; amazingly an invention of less than 100 years ago. Prior to these writing instruments, there were a variety of pens using fluid ink and a point, from fountain pens – back all the way to a feather quill dipped in an inkwell. The issue was these older pens would drip ink when lifted off the paper. Hence during those decades, cursive writing prevailed, as once the point was on the paper, a scribed line would be used connecting the letters with a minimum of lifting off the paper.
This was, and still is, an individual’s unique style of expression providing a window into the mind of the writer as handwriting shows intelligence and conformality. As more people morph to typing, the cursive style of writing needs to be preserved and celebrated. This is where Barbara Pieper Walding’s book, Cursive Writing the Easy Way, brings to focus to younger readers explanations and techniques to teach this communication form of cursive script.
As the author recounts her love for cursive writing throughout her 30 years of elementary school teaching, she has a methodology to impress upon students the techniques to use this writing format. Beginning with either a right-handed or left-handed slant, the pages are printed with solid lines along with a half-line dotted indicator in the middle, providing a backdrop for uniformity of the sizing of the alphabetical letters. Then, the many groupings of cursive letters are each explained, such as: upswing; tall upswing letters; the slanted oval; hump letters; capital letters – and more. Each group is explained and ample blank space is provided as an interactive workbook for the students to practice and become comfortable with this skill.
By the end of these lessons, students are at the point where they can individualize their own signature – a skill which is necessary and will be critical for identification for the rest of their lives. Cursive Writing the Easy Way demystifies this writing skill into basic elements allowing all to achieve success in developing the timeless style of such an expressive form of written communication. This book needs to be acquired in the paper format because of the workbook aspect of the lessons.
The passion and love for cursive writing by the author is stated in the book’s opening sentences, “It is so much more intellectual and romantic. Some people say it is becoming a lost art, but I don’t think so. If it is a lost art, I want to revive it in my own little way.”
Cursive Writing the Easy Way is a valuable instructional resource for anyone wanting to learn or teach cursive writing. This book stands out due to its clear, step-by-step approach, making cursive feel accessible to beginners and those seeking to refine their skills. Barbara Pieper Walding’s well-structured guide and encouraging style help readers embrace and enjoy the art of cursive. I highly recommend this book to all.
