If You Were an Adjective

This series uses vibrantly colored illustrations and whimsical layouts to offer children an accessible introduction to grammar fundamentals. Michael Dahl's If You Were an Adjective (2006) combines simple phrases with striking, highly textured pictures of animals--from howler monkeys to Arctic foxes--to demonstrate the use of adjectives. Other titles in the series include Dahl's If You Were a Noun (2006), Nancy Loewen's If You Were a Conjunction (2006), and Trisha Speed Shaskan's If You Were Onomatopoeia (2008).

These concept books define parts of speech and give examples of their usage. The examples are in capital letters and in a color different from the surrounding text. Bright acrylic illustrations will help younger children visualize each part of speech. They are full of movement and color and make the books inviting. These titles are excellent resources to use along with Ruth Heller's books on the parts of speech.

In this volume in the If You Were series, a picture-book format; vibrantly colored, full-page illustrations; and a whimsical layout combine to offer children an accessible introduction to grammar. Simple phrases, accompanied by striking, highly textured picturesof animals - from howler monkeys to Arctic foxes - demonstrate the use of adjectives. For example, following a brief definition of noun, the text goes on to read, "An elephant is a noun. If you were an adjective, you would tell us about the elephant. The GRAY elephant is GIGANTIC and WET." Comparative, proper, and superlative adjectives, printed in large colorful display type, stand out from the main handprinted-style text. Though some additional explanation from an adult may be needed, the art is a delight, and the peppy prose and familiar examples will help the lesson slide down easily. An activity (find an adjective for each letter of a child's name), a brief glossary, and a few additional resources, conclude.