Big Words for Little People Reviews

• Great book again :->

  
  By A24ZFFRQ4MG3XL on 2008-09-09
  I bought this for my neice yesterday because she has two other books by Jamie and they are favourites of hers, so this was an obvious choice. It already seems like a winner.
  While teaching 'big words' to little people, she is also teaching mini lessons. For example, when she teaches the word Consequence, she says to them - "When you're at school and you get in trouble, for chewing your gum, and exploding a bubble, and you stay inside when your friends get to play, your consequence is no recess that day". And there is story about when shopping, if people get irrate, then you should cooperate. So it's a book that helps children understand these big words that we use with them.
  As usual, the illustrations are fantastic and colorful and fun, and the words and lessons are great for them and there is so much to learn in here. I especially love when they talk about the most important word Love at the end of the book. "Love is the biggest big word of all, four little letters that help you walk tall, love is your family, your siblings, your friends, love is your ocean without any end". Jamie is a great 'teacher' for kids. She has a great way with words and making learning fun. This book is fantastic and really enjoyable for kids (and adults reading it to the kids). I highly recommend this and am sure everyone will have hours of fun reading and re-reading it again and again.
  
  

• A goofy treasure

  
  By A10G4BPT5MGBHY on 2008-09-10
  This picture book about seven siblings learning big words is a quirky delight. By the time I was done I felt I knew the specific personalities of each family member inside out.
  
  Here is a family that everyone will recognize. A preteen daughter who needs her privacy, loves pink, and dances through life. The next in line, a son obsessed with magic tricks, who loves to play with his baby sister's curls. An effervescent Asian girl, in love with "The Sound of Music." Twin toddlers who are picky eaters. An adopted African-American preschooler who can spell CAT. A brand-new baby girl. Add in an orange cat that steals the car keys, a miniature dog named Leo and a fat white duck, and you have a full house.
  
  The subtle theme of the book is that everyone is different and has a unique personality, which makes life interesting. All kids will be able to relate.
  
  If you keep looking, you'll notice dozens and dozens of humorous little details. I love the "Cut `n' Tape Lederhosen" that keep turning up throughout the book. My favorite part of the whole book is the inside back cover, which shows a collection of the family's photos hanging on a wall. The photos show the kids at various ages, growing up. Apparently the little Asian girl was adopted overseas; there is a picture of the oldest girl and boy on a plane with her, gently putting headphones on her baby ears. A funny photo shows the oldest girl holding one of the twins, and next to her the preschool Asian girl holds the other twin around the neck -- the baby's face is blue! Photos of the cat as a kitten and the dog as a teeny puppy (smaller than a leaf!) are next to a photo I puzzled over. Then I realized... it's an egg, on a hot water bottle! The pet duck, about to hatch, of course.
  
  The writing is terrific, and the watercolor-over-pen-and-ink illustrations are expressive and amazingly detailed. Both kids and parents will love this one.
  
  Similar in tone and detail are the Fancy Nancy books: Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany (Fancy Nancy), Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly (Fancy Nancy), Fancy Nancy Loves! Loves!! Loves!!! (Fancy Nancy) and many more.
  
  

• Words are great, explanations decent, content only ok

  
  By AWJBO5XGIW8ZS on 2008-09-22
  Let me preface by saying I don't really know the whole Jamie Lee Curtis collection that well... I read the one about adoption, which I thought was very nice, but I'm not as familiar with the recurring cast of characters that apparently grace the books pages as some readers may be.
  
  So in terms of this book standing on it's own, I was eager to check it out because it's making such a huge splash and because I thought the concept -- Big Words for Little People -- is an outstanding one. The only "high frequency words" kids are encountering these days aren't simply the names of fruits and colors and school terms that come home on our school lists. Especially with character education gaining ground in schools and in the forefront of parents' minds, I think JLC is definitely on the right track with the words these kids may be hearing *all the time* but not really understanding fully, or even at all. Privacy, impossible, consequence, celebrate, cooperate, appropriate and inapppropriate, patience, understand, considerate/inconsiderate, responsible and different are the ones that really strike me as essential. We constantly ask kids to cooperate or to be considerate or to be patient, and they certainly pick up some sense of it through context and our reactions, but when do we ever really sit down and explain these words so they can truly understand our expectation.
  
  In terms of execution, she loses a little ground. Overall it's pretty good and the explanations are clear. But in order to make the poetry work, the language can get pretty stilted -- enough that I'd say it cuts into the effect of making it easy for children to understand. It's more for poetic value and for the delight of the parents to have interesting phrasing tripping off the tongue. But for a book that is based on the very concept of understanding language, I'd say that doesn't quite line up. Also, in the fun of putting together the poetry, she does occasionally forget to truly explain the word -- blowing past it to keep the rhyme and meter going in an entertaining, more than explanatory way. Certainly it still provides a foundation for further discussion while reading, but oddly, I don't think kids will read the book with parents and understand the meanings of the words without further discussion.
  
  The most lovely part of the book was the misty-eyed ending. Curtis takes the concept of "big words" and shifts it a little to mean "important words" and brings in family, respect and love (which she calls the "biggest word of all." Really a very touching and well-written message to end on.
  
  So, as far as everything I've written so far, I was quite impressed. Still, in the end, I read and considered this book, but ultimately left it on the bookshelf. Here's why...
  
  Ultimately, I wasn't crazy about the content message of the book overall. Most of the words in the book centered around managing kids' behavior. In some ways, that's exactly right, because expectations concerning their behavior is precisely what kids encounter all day long. But I felt this book took a really stereotypical approach to this concept -- and one I personally try to confound in dealings with kids. Most of the explanations centered around kids being "bad" or "good" -- they were being "impossible" to their mother, making a shopkeeper "irate" by talking loudly in a store, suffering a "consequence" for misbehaving in school (exploding chewing gum), being "inconsiderate" by being loud while mom was sleeping. On the other end being expected to "cooperate" being praised for desired behavior as "stupendous or superb." Also were the typical siblings are annoying references, including the "disgusting" younger brother. This kind of stuff just never feels right to me. I prefer to think of discipline in a less carrot/stick sort of way than what is delivered in this book, and in a subtle way, this just doesn't line up with the way we parent. And I don't believe younger kids are being disgusting by being age appropriate (I think it was picking his nose -- yes we ask them to stop, but all kids did it!). The "consequence" in the book was punitive, not logical -- keeping a kid out of recess for the exploding chewing gum. A logical consequence might have been cleaning the gum from the desks, even if it was during recess.
  
  All of this really is quite subtle though... depending on how you parent, it might be fine. It's certainly not bad parenting messages -- just different enough from how I prefer to think about discipline that it doesn't feel authentic for my family and my kids.
  
  Some of the descriptions were really perfect too -- waiting in a long line for "patience" and which movies are good for them for "appropriate and inappropriate" (it even recognizes that your mom may say something is inappropriate even though your friends may be allowed to do it!). The description of persevere is just lovely.
  
  All in all, it's a really cute book, and a lovely gift. I chose to leave it on the shelf, but it was a close call. My family is a little uncommon in the way we think about discipline. If you are a no-time-outs and more attachment parenting/positive discipline family, I'd give it a read before you buy it to make sure it feels right to you.
  
  
  
  

• Patience, Privacy, Impossible, Stupendous, Superb, Celebrate, Consequence, Irate, Cooperate, Appropriate, Disgusting & Persevere

  
  By A1K1JW1C5CUSUZ on 2008-09-24
  Do you want to be in a good mood when you read to your tykesters and tykestresses? Buy this book! It's chicken soup for the reader's soul.
  
  Can you remember when you were little and liked to play with words, almost like putting together alphabet blocks in the air to amaze people? Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell evoke that wondrous moment in childhood and provide parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles with a resource to prepare the younger set to share some stunning pronouncements that will amaze casual observers.
  
  Characterizing the book that way isn't really accurate. There are wheels within wheels here; orbs that will charm those who are looking for other sorts of entertainment. Here's an example: In our family, all the wee ones loved searching for tiny hidden items in puzzle books. Big Words for Little People has tiny drawings and labels throughout that invite and reward minute inquiry. For instance, the two-page spread on "consequence" contains a note that a frog and six little ones are missing from the terrarium. Tiny dots of green reveal bits and pieces of the escapees in humorous spots.
  
  Adults like little surprises, too. Tiny notes and signs provide much adult humor that can be shared with youngsters . . . or simply chuckled over by the reader (such as the "Glowy Teeth" toothpaste with bleach and antibiotics).
  
  There's an important context here: The words, stories, and illustrations are intended to convey useful principles for having a large, loving family enjoy each others' company. We have a mom and dad, six rambunctious youngsters in all shapes and sizes, and various pets. The beauty-obsessed sister needs some privacy to put on her face goo. Frantic mom is struggling to head for school and can't find the car keys. A happy teacher is portrayed as praising good spelling with "stupendous!" and "superb!" After a mishap with chewing gum, one sister has to sit inside during recess: That's a "consequence." On a challenging shoe run, dad wants everyone to "cooperate." Moms will appreciate that the book teaches children not to wake up mom when she's sick: That would be "inconsiderate." And on the lessons go.
  
  The illustrations are marvelous. Although quite sophisticated in composition, they seem almost like what a mischievous child would enjoy painting in water colors. The bright colors bring a sunny emotional tone to the book that well matches the simple, clear verses written by Ms. Curtis.
  
  Ms. Curtis and Ms. Cornell are an amazing team for perking up your family. Bring them into all of your children's bedrooms.
  
  
  
  
  

• A wonderful bedtime book.....

  
  By AIZ7DEA4PC46Q on 2008-09-11
  ....or anytime book for that matter. I admit this is the first "famous" celeb writer's book I've ever purchased and I will be buying the rest for sure. I loved this story. As soon as my 5 year old and I started reading it he began asking questions and wanting me to explain the words in relation to the family and his friends.
  
  If Mrs. Curtis ever reads these reviews I would want her to know what a terrific thing she has done with these creations! To parents wondering if these celeb books are worth the money, well Jamie Lee Curtis' are! She's been doing these for many years and each one is definately written to make a child feel as special as they are. Thank you!!!!!
  
  I will even be talking to my son's teacher to see if he can bring it in for in class reading day. Every child should be exposed to these big words as early as they can.
  
  
• Love the artwork!
  By AIB94HBX6SM3W on 2008-10-21
  I will start off by saying that I feel the book is for a little bit older kids, older than my five year old anyway. He just didn't seem too thrilled with the book's words so much (sorry Jamie Lee Curtis) as he has never played duck duck goose and has no clue what G-rated vs. PG-13 is. One of the last lines of the book is as follows: "And the next time a grown-up thinks you don't have sense, show them with Big Words your intelligence!" This just didn't fly with me. I don't want my child thinking grown-ups think that children don't have sense and that my child will have to prove himself by using a big word or proving that he's smart.
  I love my children because they are my children no matter what their intelligence level is at the time.
  
  But the artwork is THE BEST! Even I loved to look over the book's pictures and see what was there, most of it very amusing and clever. My son just stared at the pictures, looking at each and every individual section and wanted me to wait before I turned the page after finished reading.
  
  If I could I would give the artwork more than five stars but the writing maybe just a 2 or 3 stars as the writing just didn't seem to flow sometimes. And the gross part about the green boogers being picked, just not needed. Sorry Jamie Lee Curtis but more than likely I will not be buying another of your books as there is much better material out there for my children.
  
  But as for Laura Cornell, I will be doing a search online for more of her work.
  
  
• Darling Books with Deep Meaning
  By A2CGVVD9ZEH9PU on 2008-09-22
  Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
  on 09/21/2008
  
  Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell continue to offer darling books with deep meaning. Their latest, BIG WORDS FOR LITTLE PEOPLE, is yet another enjoyable installment. Although the phrasing is a little strained at times--to fit in some rhymes--the choice and explanation of each "big" word is nicely done. Cornell's trademark style once again illustrates the pages with sweet cacophony. In her drawings, she somehow manages to have a lot happening without overwhelming the senses.
  
  I highly recommend this book for children with burgeoning vocabularies.
  
  4.5 Books
  
  
• A fun educational book!
  By A1YZ3IJXI2J119 on 2008-09-29
  Reviewed by Cayden (age 4) and Max (age 2) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (9/08)
  
  "Big Words for Little People" incorporates a lot of "big words" into everyday situations applicable to young children. Some of the words used in the book are "consequence," "inconsiderate," "persevere," "irate," and "cooperate."
  
  Cayden: "I know the word `privacy." I say that I need privacy when I am in the bathroom!"
  Max: "Me privacy too!"
  
  Cayden: "A `consequence' is when you are naughty and you get a time-out."
  
  Max: "'Propriate!"
  Cayden: "Yes Max, we know that one too! `Appropriate' is when there is a show on that we can watch like Dora or Diego!"
  
  Cayden: "I liked learning some new words and also seeing ones that we already knew! I didn't know the word `stupendous' before or the word `superb.' I liked the pictures in the book. There were a lot of different things to look at! My favorite was when the people were waiting in line at the water park and they spelled out the word `patience' with the line they were in. That was a long line!"
  
  Parent's comments:
  
  "Big Words for Little People" is an educational book that takes a number of useful, bigger words and presents them in a way that young children are able to understand. Cayden has been on a kick lately where he has been using bigger words like "assuming" and "obviously" so I knew that he would love this book and I was right! He already was familiar with many of the words but he learned quite a few new ones as well. The illustrations in the book were very colorful and eye-catching with a ton of things to look at! "Big Words for Little People" by Jamie Lee Curtis is definitely a fun book that will help to enrich any child's vocabulary!
  
  
  
  
• Big Words are a Must!
  By A4DW092FST37C on 2008-10-05
  This was the first book I have read by Jamie Lee Curtis, but it won't be the last. I am now interested.
  My son (4) and I chose this book from the library and now we own it. It is one of his favorites and we read it at least once a week. My 8 month old loves the pictures and stays put while we read this one. It has a lyrical flow.
  My main attractions to this book are of course, the words and the concepts it teaches. As a special education teacher, I am all about using a better vocabulary in everyday conversation, something my mother passed down to me. I use these words with my children and incorporate their meanings everyday. It is great to have a fun way to solidify those same values in a book.
  
  
  
• I'm not sure what age group this is for!
  By A2L2GYIPBPBP0P on 2008-10-24
  Based on the glowing recommendations and description for ages 4-8, I bought 2 of these books for 4-year-olds but wound up returning them. Maybe these particular 4-year-olds are exceptionally bright, but they ALREADY use most of the book's "big words" in normal conversation. They don't need an explanation of Privacy, Impossible, Superb, Celebrate, Cooperate, Appropriate/Inappropriate, Patience, Disgusting, Understand, Inconsiderate, Responsible, or Different. Maybe Persevere, Consequence and Intelligence would be a stretch for the 4-year-olds, but not much! I showed the book to my 7-year-old neighbor who read a couple of pages and pronounced it a baby book. It was simply waaaaay beneath her interest level. Also, I was disappointed in the line "If someone is there and you need to pee, then say loud and clear, "Hey I need privacy." In a book about big words, why use the slang for the big word "urinate"? This book was a huge disappointment but the illustrations are cute.
  
  
• about time we stopped dumbing down the kids
  By A1G92VWXFXMXH9 on 2008-10-06
  I have never dumbed down my speech for the benefit of kids. But I do take the time to explain 'big' words in little kid lingo. It is about time we stopped focussing on 'once upon a time' - don't eliminate it! - and expose kids to more words. It is just sad that we concentrate only on the little kids and seem to stop after middle school. We need big words for not-so-little people too....
  
  
• Excellent Book - Great Holiday Gift
  By A36KEBSVQH6K1D on 2008-10-12
  It's about time we start teaching our kids big words like inappropriate, consequences and inconsiderate. Not only are many kids not learning these words "because they are too hard to understand," but they are also not learning the lessons behind these words. Kids can and will understand polysyllable words if we use them in everyday conversations and everyday situations. Plus, they then learn the lessons behind the words. Perhaps when children are taught that their "inappropriate" and "inconsiderate" actions will bring real "consequences" then the words will hit home. As a children's writer, I have also been told to make my wording more kid-friendly assuming that our youth can't learn new words. Hey, as long as there is a glossary, learning new words is a fabulous idea, right!?
  
  So, kudos, for Jamie for teaching some lessons needed and for giving a new generation back some words that some youngsters never learned. The illustrations are vibrant, fun and full of surprises.
  
  This would make a terrific holiday gift...even more so, if you can catch up with Jamie's busy schedule and get it signed like I did at the Orange County Children's Book Festival.
  
  Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author
  A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
  In His Shoes, A Short Journey Through Autism
  
  
• A more "delicate" wording
  By A1UMQXG6PEOPQ9 on 2008-10-21
  When I saw Jamie Lee on the Today Show, I immediately emailed my grown children to see if they already had the book for my grandkids. We are big on reading to them and books are standard birthday and Christmas presents and I definitely wanted this one for them.
  
  I love the artwork, the idea of the book and the great definition explanations except for the "Privacy" pages. We're trying to encourage our youngest ones to use "nice" language in this context. So with my "apologies" to Jamie Lee, I'd prefer a more "delicate" wording such as [my alternative parts],
  
  " If you need some time [in the bathroom] alone for doing weird dancing, to sit still as a stone, [and] someone is [in there just utter this plea and] say loud and clear, "Hey, I need PRIVACY !"
  
  The book is cute, colorful and easily understood by youngsters. Thanks, Jame Lee.
  
  
  
• I wished there had been more words. It's a great book!
  By A3GNKQ0VMEUE38 on 2008-10-22
  There should be more books like this for childern. It's fresh, interesting, understandable, enlightening and great pictures too. My granddaughter, who is 4 yrears old, likes it so much, she wants it's read everyday and she uses the words appropriately. I'm planning on buying the book for my 2 1/2 year old grandson too.
  
  
• LOVE IT....LOVE IT
  By A29DUYSYYBJMFM on 2008-10-13
  I PURCHASED 3 BOOKS FOR 3 FAMILIES. THEY ALL LOVE THE BOOK & SO DO I.
  
  
• I am buying another
  By A3IIHMTQBR9UDA on 2008-10-15
  Love it, can't wait to give it to my granddaughter. It is well done.
  
  
• A must have for preschoolers
  By A19WMQZHOQZRNI on 2008-10-15
  This is a wonderful book for little ones. It introduces large words in a concise way so that the particular word will be understood. Also, the illustrations are very cute and colorful. This is a great book for gift giving. I recommend it highly.
  
  
• Big Words for Little People
  By AB1CADJACE9R0 on 2008-10-20
  Big Words for Little People I bought this book for my 8 yr. old great-granddaughter's birthday. She immediately started to read it and did very well. She then wanted to do it all over again! It was evident that she really liked it. She read it aloud all the way through and only needed help in pronouncing 2 words. I liked the book for its bright colors and illustrations and felt that they helped make the book more appealing to her.
  
  
• a gift from gramma
  By A2BPFQVSDRZ3OY on 2008-10-21
  I saw the author on the Today show and the book sounded so cute, so I had it sent to my grandkids who live out of town. They loved it and so did my daughter in law. It was a great surprise and very special to get it in the maill. Even the other grandma was impressed.
  
  
• Wonderful book to read to 1st graders
  By A1S1YK6K7VUOTC on 2008-10-22
  I bought this book for my daughter's (she is a teacher) first grade class' book collection and got to read it to them the first time during a visit to the classroom as a guest reader. They loved the book. The timing could not have been better because one of their challenge words that week was "responsible". I had their full attention for the entire time; they enjoyed trying to sound out and guess the BIG WORDS. The book made them giggle, laugh, answer questions and participate in an interactive activity. What more could a reader of children's books ask for from a delightful book?
  
  
• Values and Words....both BIG great lessons
  By A1NAIO2VYF3EEO on 2008-10-07
  This book not only teaches our little ones some big words, but also some BIG values. We were very impressed by the book and the colorful illustrations kept my kids interested throughout the story!Mommy's High Heel Shoes
  
  
• Jamie Lee Curtis does it again
  By AAE8CL4REX0MJ on 2008-10-11
  I love the Jamie Lee Curtis books and this one is as good or better than her other books. She has a wonderful way of speaking to kids on their level, without talking down to them. I plan on using this book in my school counseling lessons as well as reading it to my own children.
  
  
• Excellent Book for Young Readers
  By AP0VK728LG6ZY on 2008-10-11
  This book by Jamie Lee Curtis is WONDERFUL!!!! I bought this book for my nephew, who is in the first grade.... He loves this book and immediately started using 'THE BIG WORDS'...
  
  
• Great book for little people!
  By A2OAX7HLV2HI71 on 2008-10-12
  I gave this book to a friend for her children. We looked at it together and laughed at the passages and illustrations. It is very cute and educational-and her kids love it!
  
  
• Grandaughter can't wait to read
  By AHANY7TVE396D on 2008-10-12
  She's now discovering what a joy to read and after reading silly moods, she is excited about this one next.
  
  
  
• Great book!!
  By A270KM32TU5T85 on 2008-10-13
  I bought this book for my 7 year old grand daughter who has a wonderful vocabulary already. I wanted to increase her "big words" and this book will do just that. It is creatively written and has messages about life. I had to send it to Pasadena, CA by UPS [which she loves to get stuff from Nana] She enjoys reading it to her Mommy.
  Thanks Jamie for a wonderful and informative book for my little one
  
  
• Big Words for Little People
  By AORGKAYYTSZLW on 2008-10-14
  Our grandsons listened to the book being read to them three times the first day they received it and we immediately heard them using some of the words in their conversations. it is an amazing tool!
  
  
• A fun way to increase vocabulary!
  By A1KKXVQX7EZG8M on 2008-10-14
  My Early Childhood students loved this book. They were able to define all of the words by using context clues!
  
  
• Big Words for Litttle People
  By A2O7KVOU60012L on 2008-10-16
  I bought this book for a friend with a new baby. My friend liked the book. I read some of it and thought it was a great concept for a book.
  
  
• Big Words for Little People
  By A1KYS3GRKMEHKO on 2008-10-21
  Very cute book. Bought for my 2-year old grandson. Think it would be better for a 3 or 4 year old. But feel he will grow into it. I love using good words with young children and this book is a good start.
  
  

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