Grammar Pick: Word Play

Word Play

by Adam Lehrhaupt

Illustrations by Jared Chapman 

Arthur A. Levine Books

2017

40 pages

ISBN: 9782545934282

On sale date: July 25, 2017

Word Play is a lively and colorful picture book that takes place on the playground where all the types of words come out to play. Verb comes out to "do," Noun comes out to "be," Adjective comes out to "describe." This picture book will come in handy in all English and  reading classrooms and will benefit all learners of grammar--which is a concept so dismally missing from curriculum that students don't have any idea what a noun or verb is let alone an adjective or adverb. An interjection? Never heard of it! 

As a former high school English teacher I can attest to the fact that high school students did not know what a sentence fragment was at the beginning of the year. They had to be "reminded" that a noun and a verb must be present to make a sentence. 

Adam Lehrhaupt makes learning grammar fun and accessible. Colorful illustrations will delight younger learners.  Jared Chapman captures characters' personalities and facial expressions in each two page spread. 

Highly recommended for all English language collections and grammar classrooms. Oh, the possibilities of teaching with this book! 

Grade 3-up and all grades English.

Picture Book Pick: Mighty Dads

Mighty Dads
by Joan Holub
Illustrations by James Dean
Scholastic Press
2014
40 pages
ISBN: 9780545609685

Clever, cute, friendly and fun, Mighty Dads is a great addition to any  child's book collection and the perfect read for Father's Day. What dad wouldn't love this fun book and tribute to everything he does to instruct,  encourage, and lead his child?

A construction site comes to life with big Daddy trucks and machinery and the smaller counterparts (children trucks). Kids will love hearing this story aloud. The text encourages the reader and listeners to hear and say and shout the words out loud. "Bulldozer Strong shows Dozy right from wrong/They go roar, roar, roar!" and my favorites, "Boom Truck Tall helps Boomer crash a wall./ They go crash, bang, boom!/Cement Mixer Busy gives a hug if Mixie's dizzy./They go spin, spin, pour."

The smaller trucks are not necessarily boys--both boys and girls will love the fun illustrations of the Daddy vehicles showing his  child how to do a job. All kinds of vehicles are shown: a crane, a dump truck, a grader, a steam roller, a forklift and others. The action is powerful and whimsical with the mini version of Dad mimicking the father trucks' actions of grading, digging and lifting. Even the back cover shows an active construction scene depicting seven pairs of the vehicles.

Colorful illustrations by Dean will captivate young readers. Machines come alive and take on personalities. Each truck is drawn with human features (eyes), and some trucks seem to be wearing a smile (bumper).

Any child who loves trucks and loves the sound of "...crash, bang, boom!" will love Mighty Dads, and will likely beg to have the reader read it again...and again....and again. This is one book that is sure to become a favorite at bedtime or anytime!

Highly, highly recommended for a fun read aloud. This book would be a great addition to any English class studying action verbs and grammar.

Readers 3-5 and for use in teaching verbs and figurative language and the poetic device of onomatopoeia.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Non-Fiction Pick: Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?

Breezier, Cheesier, Newest and Bluest: What Are Comparatives and Superlatives? (Words Are CATegorical)
By Brian P. Cleary
Illustrated by Brian Gable
Millbrook Press
2013
31 pages

Hilarious and colorful illustrations and the vibrant rhyming text guide readers to learn how to use comparatives and superlatives. Who knew learning grammar rules could be this fun?

An easy chart at the end of the book shows how to add –er or –est or –ier or –iest. Some two syllable adjectives use more and most like “more pleasant” and “most pleasant.” Some adjectives are just weird like bad and many. Bad =worse=worst and many=more=most.

Readers will laugh at the text and bold illustrations, “Superlatives are the breeziest and chattiest and cheesiest, funniest and sunniest and quietest and queasiest.” Kid friendly animals demonstrate each rule, and kids will not only learn the rules but be entertained. The cover is appealing and welcoming and should easily sell the book to young readers.
The team of the two Brians (Cleary and Gable) is a match made in publishing heaven.

Highly, highly recommended for all libraries and classrooms grade 2-up. This book is a great teaching tool for any English class regardless of grade (trust me, I taught high school English for 10 years).

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)