Stroll and Walk, Babble and Talk: More about Synonyms (Words Are CATegorical ®) Paperback – Illustrated, August 1, 2010

My students enjoyed

This book was great to use to teach what synonyms are. I have used it in my classroom and loaned it out to several other teachers as well.

Sometimes children are reluctant learners or have trouble learning things in school, including simple English language concepts. For some children visually oriented books may just make the difference and make learning easier and fun! The rhythmical text and lively illustrations in this book may draw their attention to synonyms quickly and painlessly."Whether you're moseying, strolling, or walking, babbling, chattering, mumbling, or talking, synonyms help us select the right work, as in sly or clever, strange or absurd." For example, on one page we have a very busy scene where two cats are trying to clean a floor and the book talks about synonyms having similar meanings. As they work away, we see words like washing, scouring scrubbing and cleaning. Of course we see a silly dog rushing though the door to mess things up! The book rhythmically indicates things like synonyms can be specific, add zest to a sentence, tell us the degree (warm, hot or steaming), alternatives, substitutes and give us choices.I love Cleary's books and Brian Gable's colorful, crazy illustrations add a lot of zippity do da to them. These books would be a great addition to any classroom/homeschool or private library, especially if you have an unenthusiastic, unwilling, reluctant youngster. "Now go make your writing compelling, exciting, so thrilling you might brag or boast. One day, you'll fill bleachers, when speaking to teachers-you'll start with a synonym toast!"