Words Are Categorical

I couldn't resist reviewing this gem of a series we have here on our shelves at the library: Words Are Categorical penned by Brian P. Cleary and illustrated by Jenya Promitsky and Brian Gable. It's a great resource for both teachers and parents.

There are five titles in the series: Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What Is An Adverb?; Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is An Adjective?; A Mink, A Fink, A Skating Rink: What Is A Noun?; To Root, To Toot, To Parachute: What Is A Verb?; and Under, Over, By The Clover: What Is A Preposition?

Each title focuses on one of the five parts of speech and even lists a definition for that part of speech at the beginning of the book. Cleary then uses rhyme and repetition of sounds to take the reader on a zany adventure that reviews examples of that part of speech. Cleary's verse is combined with colorful, eye catching, fun illustrations that re-inforce the content of the text and the examples of that part of speech. This fun and zany series is wonderful for a young elementary level patron who has just learned their parts of speech in school or for middle school level patron who wants a fun way to review the parts of speech for English class. I know, I know, what kid in their right mind willingly and spontaneously checks out a book about boring, old grammar? These books take a lot of the pain out of learning the parts of speech by making the journey creative and colorful with illustrations and poetry.

This series of books can be found at J/428.2/CLE on shelf at the Matthews Library. I hope you'll check them out sometime!

--Reviewed by Ms. Angie

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