The Kingfisher Book of Words: A-Z Guide to Quotations, Proverbs, Origins, Usage, and Idioms - Hardcover

Beal, George

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1856978052 ISBN 13: 9781856978057

Publisher: Kingfisher Books, 1992

Synopsis

Six alphabetically arranged chapters explain the meaning of well-known proverbs; track down the origins, roots, and history of words; explore commonplace idioms; and offer sound advice on how to make the most of the English language.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6-- This potpourri of English language components has a discrepancy between what seems to be the intended audience and the appropriateness of the material for that age level. Different colored texts and individual alphabetical listings distinguish the five sections of linguistic samples written in large text amid expanses of white paper. Large cartoon illustrations are humorous but often have tongue-in-cheek or confusing connotations. In illustrating the "origin of adder," a snake is shown contemplating the sum of one and one. A peculiar choice for children in "Proverbs" is "Don't tell your grandmother to suck eggs," the definition being "Don't tell experienced people how to do their jobs." Authors of "Modern Quotations" run the gamut from Winston Churchill to Phyllis Diller and offer some meanspirited thoughts like this one from Gore Vidal on "success": "It's not enough to succeed. Others must fail." This section has inconsistent spacing between author's names and the text. The "Roots" section is the most detailed and useful but also points to the book's British origin by its inclusion of a "short" 200+ English to British derivative dictionary: a "pacifier" is a "baby's dummy." There is no cumulative index of key words for traditional searching for particular idioms, proverbs, etc.
- Ellen J. Dibner, East School, Long Beach, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingfisher Books
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 1856978052
• ISBN 13: 9781856978057
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 200
• Illustrator: Stevenson Peter