Quirky, jerky, extra perky More about adjectives

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 of the descriptive words in this upbeat, energetically illustrated book. 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, making them easy to identify. Colorful, comical, cartoon-style illustrations help create the madcap quality that distinguishes the series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2007 Booklist

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 units-the 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 seriously-kids will be too busy giggling at those crazy cats to realize they're learning.-Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.