Too Hot to Hoot

I am continuing to search for picture books that combine educational concepts with fun approaches to learning. Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddleshas an interesting approach to palindromes. As with most of this style of books, the author begins by defining for the reader what a palindrome is so the reader will be able to engage in the riddles. The riddles begin with three letter riddles, move to four and five letters, than multiple words. From there it progresses to phrases, sentences, and even numbers.

The format is simple and the answers are provided at the end of each chapter. If a child does not understand the riddle or just does not know the answer, he/she can refer to the answer key. It is a way to engage children in learning new vocabulary as well as introducing the concept of palindromes. I like the idea of including math in a language arts book. I think it is always important to combine the two when possible.

I think this would be a great book to add to a book box of Language Arts titles. For parents, it could be a great idea to check out library titles that share a common theme and explore some of these concepts at home. I do believe that the more children explore language outside of textbooks, the more they will understand it.

Stubborn as a Mule

Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes (Ways to Say It)is the best simile picture book I have reviewed yet. First it uses common similes that children may have heard or will likely encounter. Second, the book is written as a story, but the author uses a style that takes time out to explain the similes in the book while continuing with the story. She explains how similes are used, the different types of ways to use them, and the origins of some of the more common similes. Having a story may make it a book that children return to after the initial reading.

This would be top on my list if I were putting together a book box of picture books covering similes and metaphors. With all the picture books out there covering the topic, I think children, parents and teachers have some wonderful resources for understanding what used to be a pretty dry textbook lesson.

The Dove Dove Funny Homograph Riddles

If you are looking for a fun way to get students or your children to explore homographsThe Dove Dove: Funny Homograph Riddlesprovides an entertaining but educational look at homographs.

The books uses a riddle format to engage children in learning, but the riddles are challenging and clearly illustrate how homographs work. The author begins by defining homographs and explaining the format of the riddles to help draw children into the challenge. Unlike most of the other picture books I have reviewed this one is geared more for children who can read. While non-readers might get some benefit from reading along with a parent, children who can read and discuss this with a parent or teacher will get more from the experience.

The author begins with one and two syllable words focusing on vowel sounds. At the end of each of the sections he provides a pronounciation guide that explains how the riddles work. Chapter two focuses on the changing sound of s and how that creates homographs. Chapter 3 explains how where the accent is placed on syllables in words can also create homographs. Chapter 4 discusses how extra syllables that are added when word are pronounced create homographs. Chapter 5 gives to bonus challenging riddles that don't fit the previous rules. The end of the book provides a complete list of all the homographs used in the book

While done in the fun format of riddles, this is one of the most detailed lessons in homographs I have seen. I think it would be a great addition to an elementary lesson on the topic.

Zoola Palooza A Book of Homographs

I have been very impressed with the number of picture books on the market that focus on teaching English language concepts to children. I like the ones that take the time to teach children and remind parents of the concepts that are being introduced or reinforced in the book. It provides a little teaching aide for both parent and child as they work through the book. For older children using the book as a support to other textbooks, these explanations are often clearer and more easily understood with the supporting illustrations.

In Zoola Palooza: A Book of HomographsGene Barretta gives a wonderful explanation in his notes to the reader about the differences between homographs, homonyms, and homophones.

This book focuses on homographs, pairs of words that share the same spelling, but have both different pronunciations and meanings. The author uses two pairs of homographs per illustration. The examples range from tense changes like read and read to completely different meanings such as bass and bass. I did have an issue that a couple of the pairs were not actual words. I thought this was unfortunate as there were obvious choices that would have provided examples of real homographs.

The illustrations will draw readers young and old to the story. The animal characters are set in humorous situations that will draw readers into the story.

I would suggest getting books of homographs, homonyms, and homophones to familiarize children with these concepts. For older students who still might not know the differences, this is also a great way to teach them. Visual representations can help learners far more than explanations in textbooks.

Language Arts Picture Books

I have been reviewing quite a few picture books over the last year and I am trying to find ways to organize them so I can easily make suggestions when I get questions about books that are good for...

So I have decided to add pages for the Language Arts and Math picture books I've found.

Compound Words:

If You Were a Compound Word (Word Fun)Review here


Contractions:

If You Were a Contraction (Word Fun)Review here


Homonym, Homophone, Homographs:

Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones Review here

The Dove Dove: Funny Homograph RiddlesReview here

If You Were a Homonym or a Homophone (Word Fun)Review here

Zoola Palooza: A Book of HomographsReview here

Idioms:

The King Who Rained Review here

The Sixteen Hand HorseReview here


Palindromes:

If You Were a Palindrome (Word Fun)Review here

Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome RiddlesReview here

Prepositions:

Under, Over, by the Clover: What Is a Preposition? (Words Are Categorical)Review here

Similes and Metaphors:

Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile StoryReview here

Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What Are Similes and Metaphors? (Words Are Categorical)Review here

Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes (Ways to Say It)Review here

Crazy Like a Fox a Simile Story

I am always looking for creative picture books that teach important English concepts and with Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story Loreen Leedy has found a delightful way to accomplish the task.

The author begins with a wonderful introduction that explains what similes are and even explains how the overuse of them results in clichés. I thought her explanation was better than some I have seen in children's language texts.

The illustrations are cute, but for an introductory book, I would have stuck with more traditional similes that children would know and be familiar with than creating newer ones. However, it is a good introduction to the topic and would generate enough interest that a parent or teacher could build on this to generate a list of other similes that children could illustrate for their own book.

This book could be used with young children as an introduction to the topic or with older children as a support for a lesson on the subject. I think it is great to get an early start with introducing English concepts to children. I also think it is equally important to provide supports to older elementary students as they are learning these topics. A picture book can enhance a language lesson and provide a fun and meaningful way for learners to connect to a topic that can be dry and hard to connect to for some students. It is also a way to modify a lesson for students with learning challenges. While an English text might not reach a student, a funny story may make this concept easier to understand.

Dear Deer A Book of Homophones

I love finding books that teach as well as entertain children. Finding books fun books that engage children in learning about English is a great way to increase understanding of skills that can be dry and dull. My first experience with a book like this was The King Who Rained and it took me years to find a copy of it when I was teaching as it had gone out of print. People looked at me very oddly when I tried to purchase a copy. Thankfully, I was able to borrow library copies to use with my class. It has since been reprinted and is available to buy.

Like the King Who Rained, Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones
uses the humor of illustrations to demonstrate the ideas of homophones. The title of the book comes from a letter written by Aunt Ant to Dear Deer about her adventures of living at a zoo. The book continues with the aunt describing all the wonders she encounters at the zoo. Each page has a pair of homophones paired up. The homophones are in capital letters and bolded to make them easy to identify. The children can then use the illustrations to help them identify the homophones utilized on that page.

While this is a picture book, I would also recommend it for older elementary students who are studying or reviewing homophones. It is a fun way to see the concept illustrated. One activity I loved when I was teaching was to make our own class book and share it with younger students. It was a great way to share learning across the grade levels.

As for my copy of the book, it is headed to one of my family members who homeschools. While it is going to a K aged student, I suspect the older elementary student will also get some value from the fun review of homophones.

If You Were a Homonym or a Homophone

If You Were a Homonym or a Homophone (Word Fun) is the best of the books I've reviewed in the Word Fun series so far.

I wish this book had been available for my classroom when I was teaching this topic. I used to try to find many creative ways to illustrate the definitions of the words and the differences between them, but this author does it simply and clearly. It is a resource book you use to review the topic at any time. I have never seen the topic explained this easily in any textbook I have used to teach Language Arts.

Nancy Loewen defines each term and then provides illustrated examples of homonyms and the often misused term homophone. When I saw her presentation, I wondered why this is not done more often to teach children how to distinguish between the two words.

This is a simple way to introduce, review, or reteach a topic that some kids do find challenging.

This is a book you could introduce to young children to get them familiar with the words and bring back to reinforce the idea as they continue to work with words. I am often skeptical of "cute" series titles, but Word Fun does fit this series.

Compound Words

Trisha Speed Shaskan has a hit with If You Were a Compound Word (Word Fun)a picture book that explains the concept in a fun way for children.

This book is part of a series of books that introduce children to the English language in a simple and fun way. In this book, the author defines compound words and then gives the children fun examples to illustrate the concept. Fonts and color are used to help children quickly identify the compound words on the page and will help even young children develop an understanding of the concept.

I am always looking for resources that make learning English language and grammar skills interesting for children. I have more books in the series on reserve to review. This one is on my purchase list.