Books by Theme
Play with Your Words
Play is the way kids learn, so why not play with language! Young children delight in rhymes, hidden letters, and tongue twisters. Older kids love plays on meaning and the silly things that can happen when punctuation is missing. Use one or more of these recommended books for kids ages 0-9 to introduce children to word play fun.
Busy Buzzing Bumblebees & Other Tongue Twisters
Tongues will twist and tumble and mouths will turn to smiles as this collection of silly sayings and sentences is read aloud. Full color illustrations further open up an inviting format, ideal for newly independent readers.
Gooney Bird Greene
Gooney Bird is a memorable character whose outrageous tales are all true! Children may see their world differently through Gooney Bird’s storytelling and consider writing themselves just like the kids in Ms. Pidgeon’s class at Watertower Elementary School. This is first of Lowry’s Gooney Bird books, all of which are relatable.
Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives
Readers explore adjectives through this book's absorbing, rhyming text and handsome, full-page illustrations. The author/illustrator introduces other parts of speech in equally appealing books such as Merry-Go-Round: A Book About Nouns and Fantastic! Wow! And Unreal! A Book About Interjections and Conjunctions.
Mom and Dad Are Palindromes
When a boy learns about palindromes, he begins to see them everywhere. The humorous tale introduces words and phrases that are the same when spelled — and pronounced — forward or backward. Palindrome riddles are presented in Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddles by Marvin Terban (Sandpiper). Both books have strong visual clues.
My Very First Mother Goose
This spritely collection of both familiar and less well known rhymes is presented in an oversized format just right for sharing. Young children will likely examine lighthearted, detailed illustrations as they extend the rhymes' action with verve and humor.
On Beyond Zebra
Readers will delight in the playfulness of this word romp as they venture beyond the letter Z. Inventive letters and creatures are introduced in this funny, rhyming, alphabetic adventure in typical Seussian style.
Punctuation Takes a Vacation
Mr. Wright’s students soon discover that the meaning of written words is much more difficult to figure out when punctuation takes a vacation from their class. Lighthearted illustrations and a lively text combine for a playful presentation of words and their meaning.
Scranimals
On Scranimal Island, there are many curious creatures that may seem familiar, but are really the product of the imagination. Are the critters animal, vegetable, or mineral? Only those who play with words will know for sure!
The Hidden Alphabet
Children will expand their vocabulary and play with hidden images in this unusual and elegantly illustrated alphabet book. A solid black frame with a one word descriptor focuses on an object. Lift the flap, and the image becomes the letter in full color, thus inviting readers to play with both words and images.
The Wonderful O
What would life be like without benefit of the vowel 'O'? That's just what the people of Ooroo must cope with when despotic, O-hating pirates take over their island. Wordplay makes the humorous, original tale even funnier in this classic tale by James Thurber.
There's a Frog in My Throat: 440 Animal Sayings a Little Bird Told Me
This inviting book is truly the cat’s pajamas! Familiar adages are organized by animal and explained through text and lively illustrations that jump around and over each large page.
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