KITES SAIL HIGH: A Book About Verbs

by Ruth Heller ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 10, 1988

Flamboyant illustrations dramatize clever verse outlining a basic element of English grammar. The publisher suggests this for ages 4 to 8, but it will surely prove more useful for older children. Moving quickly beyond examples like ""Roses BLOOM and people RUN"" to ""words of less action"" (linking and helping verbs), Heller defines tenses and irregular verbs; imperative, indicative, and subjunctive moods; and active and passive voices. The capsule explanations are likely to prove confusing, except where the concepts are already familiar; and not all of the language is easy (""Then with a quick converging action, 'is not' becomes 'isn't.' That's called a CONTRACTION""). But as an introductory survey, a text supplement, or a way to add sparkle when reviewing for a test, the lively, decorative illustrations and humorous text found here might well retrieve a dull lesson. Heller's people are a little wooden, but her beasts are splendidly alive, her designs beguiling.

Pub Date: Nov. 10, 1988

ISBN: 0780734718

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Grossett & Dunlap/Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S