Overview

This best-selling series introduces young readers to different types of words through rhyming verse and illustrations of comical cartoon cats. Offering a lighthearted perspective, each title shows readers the fun and entertaining world of language.

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9781467760782

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Reviews

Breezy is a good word for the newest book in the Words Are CATegorical series. Like its predecessors, it presents a quick grammar lesson through a fast-paced, rhyming text and witty, cartoon-style illustrations. The introductory page defines (in prose) the terms comparatives and superlatives. An appended page tells (in prose) how to form comparative and superlative adjectives. And in between come the rhyming verses, briefly explaining these parts of speech and providing the many examples that make the book relatively fun for students. Cleary's verse sets the tone, clearly setting out to offer entertainment as well as instruction. A political cartoonist for The Globe and Mail, Gable creates energetic, comical scenes based on a few words; a cast of madcap, dressed-animal characters; and some unusual color combinations. A useful, amusing introduction. --Booklist --Journal Cleary and Gable, those relatively cool cats, continue their Words are CATegorical series with this entry about comparative and superlatives. Taking comparatives and superlatives in turn, Cleary walks readers through the basic rule of adding -er/-est, then branches out to state that sometimes 'more' or 'most' is added at the front instead, and there are some words that have no set rules (good, bad, far). 'Try taking a / describing word, / like bright. / Now add e-r. / You've made it a comparative / to name the brighter star.' Gable's illustrations are the true stars here, his feline characters brimming with personality. The 'brighter' spread features a sunglasses-clad, red-carpet star preening for a camera. The facing page shows the spotlights and cameras trained on a flashier diva, the original looking on in consternation. Bright backgrounds provide contrast for the cats' hues, while the comparatives and superlatives are printed in color, contrasting with the black text. While Cleary nails his rhythms and rhymes for the most part, the sheer implausibility and craziness of some of his choices (the 'longest curl' on a cat?) may give readers pause and interrupt the flow. Too, readers will want to savor the zaniness introduced by Gable's pictures: 'quietest' and 'queasiest' sit side by side on a ride, the one a mime with a finger to his lips, the other a shocking shade of green. Perhaps not the best, but better than many grammar books--definitely one to check out. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal

Cleary and Gable, those relatively cool cats, continue their Words are CATegorical series with this entry about comparative and superlatives. Taking comparatives and superlatives in turn, Cleary walks readers through the basic rule of adding -er/-est, then branches out to state that sometimes 'more' or 'most' is added at the front instead, and there are some words that have no set rules (good, bad, far). 'Try taking a / describing word, / like bright. / Now add e-r. / You've made it a comparative / to name the brighter star.' Gable's illustrations are the true stars here, his feline characters brimming with personality. The 'brighter' spread features a sunglasses-clad, red-carpet star preening for a camera. The facing page shows the spotlights and cameras trained on a flashier diva, the original looking on in consternation. Bright backgrounds provide contrast for the cats' hues, while the comparatives and superlatives are printed in color, contrasting with the black text. While Cleary nails his rhythms and rhymes for the most part, the sheer implausibility and craziness of some of his choices (the 'longest curl' on a cat?) may give readers pause and interrupt the flow. Too, readers will want to savor the zaniness introduced by Gable's pictures: 'quietest' and 'queasiest' sit side by side on a ride, the one a mime with a finger to his lips, the other a shocking shade of green. Perhaps not the best, but better than many grammar books--definitely one to check out. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal Breezy is a good word for the newest book in the Words Are CATegorical series. Like its predecessors, it presents a quick grammar lesson through a fast-paced, rhyming text and witty, cartoon-style illustrations. The introductory page defines (in prose) the terms comparatives and superlatives. An appended page tells (in prose) how to form comparative and superlative adjectives. And in between come the rhyming verses, briefly explaining these parts of speech and providing the many examples that make the book relatively fun for students. Cleary's verse sets the tone, clearly setting out to offer entertainment as well as instruction. A political cartoonist for The Globe and Mail, Gable creates energetic, comical scenes based on a few words; a cast of madcap, dressed-animal characters; and some unusual color combinations. A useful, amusing introduction. --Booklist --Journal

Cleary and Gable, those relatively cool cats, continue their Words are CATegorical series with this entry about comparative and superlatives. Taking comparatives and superlatives in turn, Cleary walks readers through the basic rule of adding -er/-est, then branches out to state that sometimes 'more' or 'most' is added at the front instead, and there are some words that have no set rules (good, bad, far). 'Try taking a / describing word, / like bright. / Now add e-r. / You've made it a comparative / to name the brighter star.' Gable's illustrations are the true stars here, his feline characters brimming with personality. The 'brighter' spread features a sunglasses-clad, red-carpet star preening for a camera. The facing page shows the spotlights and cameras trained on a flashier diva, the original looking on in consternation. Bright backgrounds provide contrast for the cats' hues, while the comparatives and superlatives are printed in color, contrasting with the black text. While Cleary nails his rhythms and rhymes for the most part, the sheer implausibility and craziness of some of his choices (the 'longest curl' on a cat?) may give readers pause and interrupt the flow. Too, readers will want to savor the zaniness introduced by Gable's pictures: 'quietest' and 'queasiest' sit side by side on a ride, the one a mime with a finger to his lips, the other a shocking shade of green. Perhaps not the best, but better than many grammar books--definitely one to check out. --Kirkus Reviews -- Journal Breezy is a good word for the newest book in the Words Are CATegorical series. Like its predecessors, it presents a quick grammar lesson through a fast-paced, rhyming text and witty, cartoon-style illustrations. The introductory page defines (in prose) the terms comparatives and superlatives. An appended page tells (in prose) how to form comparative and superlative adjectives. And in between come the rhyming verses, briefly explaining these parts of speech and providing the many examples that make the book relatively fun for students. Cleary's verse sets the tone, clearly setting out to offer entertainment as well as instruction. A political cartoonist for The Globe and Mail, Gable creates energetic, comical scenes based on a few words; a cast of madcap, dressed-animal characters; and some unusual color combinations. A useful, amusing introduction. --Booklist -- Journal

Author Information

Brian P. Cleary is an American humorist, poet, and author. He is best known for his books written for grade-school children that explore grammar, math and poetry in humorous ways. In his role in the digital division of American Greetings, he's put words in the mouths of Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, William Shatner, Meghan Trainor and more. The multi-million selling author has performed poetry workshops in 500 elementary schools across the county. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Brian Gable is the illustrator of many of the best-selling Words Are CATegorical books, as well as the Math Is CATegorical series. Mr. Gable lives in Toronto, Canada.

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