Gr 2-4
Like the previous books in the series, this one utilizes illustrations of funky-looking felines and colored text to illustrate a part of speech. All of the adjectives are printed in different colors so that young readers can identify them on their own. The language is rhythmic and rollicking: "Adjectives tell us when someone is serious, fearless or frightened or even delirious." This book could be used as a read-aloud in language units-the humor is entertaining enough to invite a few laughs from the students. The illustrations are colorful, silly, and bright. While Lynne Truss's Eats, Shoots and Leaves (2006) and Patricia T. O'Conner's Woe Is I, Jr. (2007, both Putnam) are fun for budding grammarians, Cleary's book is better designed for children who are just beginning to learn about the English language and aren't too concerned with all the technicalities and intricacies. It's less sophisticated but more user-friendly because it doesn't take itself seriously-kids will be too busy giggling at those crazy cats to realize they're learning.
—Laura LutzCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.