Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely

November 1, 2002
Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What Is an Adverb? by Brian Cleary, illus. by Brian Gable, is the newest entry in the Words Are Categorical series. A playful rhyming text ("Adverbs tell us when and how./ Like, quickly do your homework, now") and cartoon art vividly explain adverbs and their functions. .

March 1, 2003
Gr 2-4-Another of the author's rhyming romps through parts of speech, this book offers a nearly nonsensical look at the role of adverbs. Illustrated with colorful and daft felines and other creatures that have a suspicion of the manic energy of the Cat in the Hat, plus a befuddled walrus that is "Brilliantly burgundy, shockingly old," the text informs readers about adverbs of manner, frequency, description, place, time, and number. The words themselves are highlighted in colored print, with companion explanations: "Adverbs tell us when and how, /Like, quickly do your homework, now." The energy and sheer razzmatazz of the text and graphics will have young grammarians entranced. Pair Cleary's titles with Ruth Heller's titles, including Up, Up and Away: A Book about Adverbs (Grosset & Dunlap, 1991), for solid and engaging instruction in the basics of language.-Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools

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