Until the Cows Come Home: And Other Expressions about Animals (It's Just an Expression)

Donovan, Sandy

ISBN 10: 0761378901 ISBN 13: 9780761378907

Publisher: Lerner Publications ™, 2012

Synopsis

Hold your horses! Don't let the cat out of the bag. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. Have you ever heard these crazy expressions? People use them even when there aren't any animals around! That's because these sentences are idioms―phrases that mean something different than what the words in them actually say. But don't let idioms get your goat. Let's explore a variety of idioms involving animals and figure out what people really mean when they use them.

About this title

About the Author

Sandy Donovan has written many nonfiction books for young readers.

Review

"Ever wonder where the phrase 'goody two-shoes' comes from or why we say we're 'all pooped out' when we feel tired? This series explores the usage and origin of dozens of well-known and less-familiar idioms. Typically, a spread is devoted to information about each expression. First, the idioms are used in a mini-story context and then elaborated on for meaning. Photographs and cartoon illustrations help further explain the phrases. The pages are well designed, and the texts are lively. Since many of the idioms have mathematical, historical, or scientific connections, this series may be used across curriculums, with plenty of opportunities for writing activities. While further reading is suggested, source notes are not included, making follow-up difficult." --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple

(Journal)

"Adults throw idioms around like ... well, like there's no tomorrow. But what the heck do these strange expressions mean and where do they come from? These are the questions that the It's Just an Expression series attempts to answer; this title breaks down 13 idioms that refer to animals, from 'sick as a dog' to 'eat like a bird.' On the 'crocodile tears' spread, for instance, kids learn that the expression means 'fake tears,' and that crocodiles have the ability to 'make their eyes well up.' To drive home the point, there are several images on each spread, including both a photo and a cartoon image of the animal in question and a kid acting out the behavior. With colorful spreads and an appealing layout, as well as further reading, the cat's out of the bag on idioms." --Booklist

(Journal)

Edition details

• Publisher: Lerner Publications ™
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0761378901
• ISBN 13: 9780761378907
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32