Tuesday, September 21, 2021

#BookReview - The Ghouls' Guide to Good Grammar


The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar
By: Leslie Kimmelman
Illustrated by: Mary Sullivan
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-534110953
Reviewed by: Katie Specht
Review Date: September 17, 2021
From veteran author Leslie Kimmelman and award-winning illustrator Mary Sullivan comes a hilarious and informative tale for kids in The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar. Kimmelman’s story is, at its core, a reference book, but it possesses something that most reference books do not: amusement.
Kimmelman’s story follows an assortment of monster characters as they teach the reader about all things pertaining to grammar. Definitions of various rules of grammar are explained, including periods, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, hyphens, quotation marks, contractions, possessives, capitalization, spelling, and homophones. The definitions are further bolstered with hilarious examples of these grammar rules in action.
The story portion of The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar is written succinctly and appropriately for the book’s target age group of 4-8 years. The ghoulish theme throughout the book will thoroughly appeal to this age group. In fact, kids who are often reluctant to utilize a reference book while studying or doing schoolwork are likely to find themselves reaching for this book repeatedly due, in part, to its sheer silliness.
Any well-written story would not be complete without its counterpart, the illustrations. In this story, Sullivan has complemented the written words perfectly with her creepy, but not too scary monsters. Her imaginative monster creatures are the ideal combination of strange and cute, so that even young kids will find them amusing and not be afraid of them.
Another exceptional feature in The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar is the grammar quiz that the author included at the conclusion of the book. It is very easy, yet it is a simple tool to help reinforce the concepts that the reader learned throughout the story.
Quill says: Kimmelman and Sullivan have created a unique book in The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar. With its adorable monster characters and ghoulish theme, Kimmelman’s story is sure to please any young reader, while parents and teachers alike will appreciate its informative and helpful nature.
To learn more about The Ghouls’ Guide to Good Grammar, please visit the author’s website at www.lesliekimmelman.net or the illustrator’s website at www.marysullivan.com.

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