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Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference (by Lynne Truss)

common sense media says

Silly sentences keep kids laughing without pause.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that even kids with no interest in grammar are going to love this funny book. Clear examples show why a simple thing like comma placement can put a whole new spin on a sentence.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.

More on Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about their own silly samples of comma placement gone bad. Or they can go through other favorite books and try moving commas around to see what kinds of disastrous examples they can create.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Clever examples show the importance of correct comma placement.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Lynne Truss refocuses her best-selling adult book, which shares the same main title, to make it accessible to young readers. Kids may walk away from this book understanding the important way a simple thing like a comma can make or break a sentence -- or they may just get a few good laughs. Truss alters a sentence, placing one version on a page and another version -- with different comma use -- on the opposite. page Commas are highlighted in red for quick identification, and the book's simple, silly drawings help kids figure out how the sentences have changed.

Even kids who are too young to have an interest in punctuation will like the funny pictures, especially the woman who bounces right out of her seat on the page that reads, "Eat here and get gas." Readers who want a more detailed explanation can flip to the back where a handy chart explains how comma placement changes meaning.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Lynne Truss
Illustrator: Bonnie Timmons
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication date: September 10, 2006
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $15.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 8

This review was written by Dawn Friedman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

etgdfdc
parent of 11 year old
 
a review
i love the book it is good to share with youre kids

peony
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
Entertaining presentation of some points of grammar
Kids would likely need to be 8 or so to get much out of the grammar discussion, but for them it's a funny presentation and they'll probably learn something. I'd also recommend it to adults. I think this kid version is a better book than the adult version: it gets across some of the main points in a much more concise format.

crazy4books
teen, 13 years old
 
Humorous comma book
This is a cute story and a great way to teach kids the importance of commas. This book shows the humorous misuse of commas. This book also contains amusing, effective illustrations.

An independent voice for families
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