 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Boy Wonders
- By Calef Brown
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
Curious kid stars in fun, punny rhyming book.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character in this book has a lot of funny questions. This book's poetic language makes it great to read aloud -- and fun for new readers, too. Be prepared for some discussions about the questions -- and also to help your kids learn the definitions for some of the more challenging vocabulary words.
What's the story?
"May I ask you something?
Are you ever perplexed?
Completely vexed?
Do you have questions?
Queries?
Odd theories?
You do? Me too!"
So starts this book about a curious boy who has all sorts of questions about everything from taffy to toucans. His questions are funny and often absurd questions -- and span everything from giraffes to kiddy pools.
Is it any good?
The questions are often silly and nonsensical -- "Would a happy toucan from the Yucatan become cantankerous up in Anchorage or the Yukon? -- but the puns, rhymes, tongue twisters, and frequent use of words that sound alike make the book fun to read aloud. Beginning readers especially will be delighted as they sound out the rhythmic passages slowly, and then more quickly. Wild, animated illustrations done in acrylics bring the text to life. This book is a must for curious kids with a thousand questions.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the importance of inquisitiveness. What is valuable about being curious and asking questions? Parents may even want to use this opportunity to talk about the related etiquette, like what kinds of questions are appropriate or why it's polite to raise your hand in class.
Parents may want to talk about some of the big words in the book, from gargoyles to garlic oils. Ask your kids: which words are new to you?
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| Author: | Calef Brown |
| Illustrator: | Calef Brown |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Atheneum |
| Publication date: | June 28, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 8 |
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