This document describes and illustrates an approach to expressive writing which employs student-authored books--"I Am The Author Books" (ITABs)--for use in individual and group counseling with children. It begins with a brief review of pertinent literature on expressive writing as a counseling intervention, and then describes experiences with ITABs. A case example describing the writing of a book on death and loss by a fourth-grade girl whose young sister died in a home accident is used to illustrate the technique. Following this example, other possible uses for ITABs are discussed and examples of other types of problems children can write about are given. The need to alter the format and process depending on the client's age, counseling needs, learning style, and perception of self is acknowledged. The tendency for young children to be highly receptive to this counseling technique is described and it is suggested that authoring a book helps these children to feel important, provides a medium with which they are familiar and comfortable, gives them the feeling that they are helping others, allows them to nurture "native imagery" through creative energy, and leads to self-discovery through self-expression. The resistance to ITABs by older children and young adolescents is discussed and strategies counselors can use to assauge this resistance are listed. The use of ITABs in group sessions or with an entire class is discussed. (NB)