As important building blocks of language and communiciation, words are powerful, probably more than we realize. Award-winning author Katherine Davis-Gibbon's new book Words aims to help young learners discover the power of words through a fun story. Enter to win a signed hardcover copy and a gift card to shop at Barnes & Noble!
My Review:
Turning useful words into colorful characters, Words crafts a creative and playful introduction to the wonder of words as they carry diverse meanings, represent distinct personalities and trigger different feelings.
Words resemble children in many ways. Each word is unique. Some go hand in hand with each other whereas some never get along. Some are kind and helpful while some are mean and harmful. Even the same word, when used in different contexts, may be able to either hurt or heal. How can one shine with the right choice of words?
By personifying words and mingling them with kids of various ethnicities in a familiar park/playground setting, the book makes its contents more accessible and relatable to a wider range of young readers, who may readily identify with some of the characters or scenarios. With humor and clarity, the story makes youngsters aware that the power of words may be manifested in both positive and negative ways. It further encourages them to learn the appropriate use of words through practice, and subsequently to boost their confidence through better self-expression and communication with others.
The book is made more entertaining and interactive by its engaging illustrations, which not only present the wacky characters with bold colors and expressive faces, but also motivate the readers to search for all the words carefully hidden in the pictures. Beware: some words are trickier to find than others!
Amusing and educational, Words makes a worthy addition to any child's picture book collection, fostering a love for language while celebrating diversity and kindness.
About the Book:
Ages: 4-6 | 36 Pages
Publisher: Riverlet Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-737957690
A multicultural group of children discovers a park where everyone’s words come to life, looking and behaving a lot like kids. Some words are kinder and more inviting, while others are pushy or prickly or odd. Not every word makes the best first impression, but as they play and share adventures, the children connect more deeply with language. They learn that words have superpowers and grow to love them for their quirks. They see that words make excellent friends, who magically appear just as they’re needed and perfectly mirror how kids feel. The more these children bond with language, the more they tap into their inner voice— and as they dare to give it expression, they gain more respect for the power of words.
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