________________ CM . . . . Volume XIX Number 6 . . . . October 12, 2012

cover

AlphaBest: The Zany, Zanier, Zaniest Book about Comparatives and Superlatives.

Helaine Becker. Illustrated by Dave Whamond.
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2012.
32 pp., hardcover, $17.95.
ISBN 978-1-55453-715-0.

Subject Headings:
English language-Comparison-Juvenile literature.
English language-Adjective-Juvenile literature.

Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 4-8.

Review by Kate Hachborn.

*** /4

excerpt:

Gentle. Gentler. Gentlest.
Hot. Hotter. Hottest.
Icy. Icier. Iciest.

internal artA bully at an amusement park makes other guests angry, angrier and angriest, until the brave, braver, bravest hero arrives on the scene. The chase that ensues involves increasing degrees of mayhem as the two move through the park and towards a surprise ending. Author Helaine Becker and illustrator Dave Whamond have teamed up to create an alphabet of comparative and superlative adjectives.

     While Becker has carefully selected adjectives in alphabetical order, the nature of this book as an alphabet book is lost. Becker’s selections pair quite well with the illustrations and address the function of the book as an instructional tool for teaching standard comparatives and superlatives as well as some exceptions. Included at the end of the main story is a guide for teaching kids to form comparatives and superlatives with tips, rules, exceptions and examples.

     The full-colour illustrations are the real gem of this book. Dave Whamond’s cartoon style is incorporated through the amusement park theme. This style is also perfect for the over-the-top examples needed to show superlatives, such as hottest, klutziest, slimiest and zaniest. Highly detailed pictures will have readers noticing something new upon each read through.

     Helaine Becker and Dave Whamond are both Forest of Reading Award winners and have written a book that will teach and entertain. Definitely recommended for teachers.
     

Recommended.

Kate Hachborn is a library technician at the W. Ross Macdonald School in Brantford, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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