...Can be more fully developed into short stories, which in turn can be turned into chapters of a book if your child wants to develop them further.
For example, a picture book such as
Enemy Pie might encourage a child to write about a time (real or imaginary) where someone who they thought was an enemy became a friend once similarities, rather than differences, became the focus of the relationship.
I've also had success using online interactive writing tools such as those at
http://www.squidoo.com/multimediamuse to motivate students and get them writing in different genres.
Keith Schoch is a New Jersey teacher, staff trainer, and family man. His <a href="http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com">Teach with Picture Books</a> site is widely read and respected.