Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What Are Comparatives and Superlatives? (Words Are CATegorical ®) - Hardcover

Cleary, Brian P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761353623 ISBN 13: 9780761353621

Publisher: Millbrook Press ™, 2013

Synopsis

What are comparatives and superlatives? After reading this book, you'll have a much clearer idea and will be the best at forming these descriptive words! Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable explain how these forms of adjectives compare nouns, through the cleverest rhymes and illustrations that are sillier than ever. Each comparative or superlative word is printed in color for easier identification.

Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What Are Comparatives and Superlatives? turns traditional grammar lessons on end. Read it aloud and share in the delight of the sense―and nonsense―of words.

About this title

About the Author

Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical®, Math Is CATegorical®, Food Is CATegorical™, and Animal Groups Are CATegorical™ series, as well as several picture books. 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.

Review

"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)

Edition details

• Publisher: Millbrook Press ™
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0761353623
• ISBN 13: 9780761353621
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Gable Brian