The World of Language Series

Book cover: 'The World of Language Series'
Author(s): 
Ruth Heller
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This series of six books introduces young children to concepts of grammar through very entertaining and sometimes humorous poetry and extremely colorful pictures. The titles are: Kites Sail High: A Book About Verbs, Behind the Mask: A Book About Prepositions,A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns, Merry-Go-Round: A Book About Nouns, Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives and Up, Up, and Away: A Book About Adverbs. Within the context of a fast-moving collection of widely-varying and very colorful illustrations, these poems explain, list and give examples of each of the parts of speech. For example, in the book Behind the Mask, you'll find the following sentences (emphasis is the same here as it is in the text) " Of PREPOSITIONS have no fear. They help to make directions clear. Along the northern shore bear east... beyond this green, reptilian beast... past its hungry, gaping mouth... veer directly... to the south, toward a place where mermaids flock upon, beside and near a rock." These particular sentences are spread out over six pages which include pictures of an antique-looking map illustrated with ships, a treasure chest, a Tritan, etc., a large pictures of a green serpent and a page full of mermaids. My children have really enjoyed these books and I have to admit that they are a decent refresher course for moms as well.

Unfortunately, almost every book has something (usually only one thing in each book) of a possibly-objectionable nature, such as: some scantily-clad mermaids and illustrations of witches (although appropriately portrayed as ugly and scary). The series is also recommended by Seton Home Study in their online reading resource lists.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
5-13-2000