About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their literal-minded child is getting frustrated or confused by the strange phrases adults use, like "it's raining cats and dogs." This playful nonfiction book directly and humorously explains what idioms and clichés are, demystifying figurative language with funny examples and bright illustrations. It builds a child's confidence by turning a point of confusion into a fun puzzle, empowering them to understand and even use language more creatively. It’s perfect for the 7-10 age range, where kids are starting to grasp abstract concepts but still appreciate a good, silly, literal picture of a frog in someone's throat.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
N/A. The book is a straightforward, secular, educational text about linguistics. All content is presented in a light and humorous tone.
Ideal Reader
A 7- to 9-year-old who is a very literal thinker and gets tripped up by figurative language. This is an excellent resource for a budding writer looking to add flair to their stories, or for a child on the autism spectrum who benefits from explicit, concrete explanations of abstract social and linguistic rules.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed; this book can be read cold. The concepts are explained very clearly. A parent might want to be ready to discuss other idioms they use in their own family to extend the learning and make it personal. The parent has just witnessed their child's confusion or frustration after hearing an idiom. The child might ask, "Why did you say 'break a leg'? That's mean!" or "There aren't any cats and dogs outside!" The parent is looking for a fun, non-didactic way to explain this linguistic quirk.
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