Review: LITTLE RED WRITING by Joan Holub

LITTLE RED WRITING is cute and funny, and ought to be hugely popular with adults who are trying to get children to pay attention to the parts of speech.  Talking adjectives, adverbs, and the like here.

It is NOT a book that I would hand off to a child though, and expect them to read and re-read it.  There's just too much of a focus on the educational side of things, so that the story takes second place. 

Here are some sample pages and dialog.

"Little Red knocked on the door.
"'Come in,' said a growly voice.
"'Greetings, Little Pencil. Grrreat to see you,' said Principal Granny.
"Little Red was suspicious. 'I'd like to report hearing a growly voice. And you know what? It sounded kind of like yours,' said Little Red.
"'The better to be hearrrd on the school intercom,' said Principal Granny.
"I'd also like to report that I saw a long, tangly tail. I can't help noticing that you have a tangly tail, too,' said Little Red.
"'The better to get charged up for my school duties when batteries are rrrunning low,' said Principal Granny.
"'I'd also like to report I have just noticed what big sharp teeth you have,' said Little Red.
"'The better to chomp little pencils like you and grind them up,' growled Principal Granny who in reality was...the Wolf 3000™ the grumpiest, growliest, pencil sharpener ever made.
"Just as the Wolf 3000 began to chase Little Red, in walked Mr. Woodcutter the janitor.
"'Who made this mess?'
"'Help!' cried Little Red. 'I think the Wolf 3000 has sharpened Principal Granny to smithereens!'"

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book as a supplement to lessons on language.  It's entertaining enough that is would add glamor and fun to other instruction.  And it would definitely emphasize the importance of various parts of speech.

I would personally either sit down and read it with the children, or read it aloud.

Pam~


LITTLE RED WRITING
by Joan Holub
Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

4.22 avg rating — 169 ratings

Reading Information:
Word Count: 976
Page Count: 36
Accelerated Reader:   3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 161638
--sample pages and reviews available