Quirky, Jerky, Extra Perky

December 1, 2007
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 unitsthe 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 seriouslykids will be too busy giggling at those crazy cats to realize they're learning.Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2007
Following up on the Words Are Categorical series original book on the subject, Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an Adjective? (2000), Cleary offers more examples ofthe descriptive words in this upbeat, energetically illustratedbook. Beginning with a straightforward definition of the word adjective, Cleary takes off with a series of imaginative examples presented in rhythmic, rhyming verses. Adjectives in the text appear in various colors, makingthem easy to identify. Colorful, comical, cartoon-style illustrationshelp createthe madcap quality that distinguishes the series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)