Grammar Fun

Schoolhouse Rock Live! takes the concepts we learn about in school and make it fun.  From learning about pronouns in "Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla" to the classic song "Conjunction Junction," Schoolhouse Rock Live! proves that taking a new approach to teaching grammar makes learning fun.

Here are some other books that teach grammar skills in a fun way.

For Younger Readers:

1. The Greedy Apostrophe: A Cautionary Tale by Jan Carr

It's the moment all the punctuation marks have been eagerly awaiting: assignment time, There are plenty of open positions for apostrophes as contractions soon there's only one job left--for a possessive--and only one apostrophe to fill it: non other than Greedy Apostrophe. It's not long before his greed gets out of hand, and he jumps into signs where he doesn't belong. What will it take to put Greedy Apostrophe back in his place? This clever and zany language arts picture book will have kids eager to learn the tricks of using an apostrophe.  Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.

2.  If You Were an Adjective by Michael Dahl

Applying the picture book format to a book about adjectives is a novel approach to teaching children about a difficult concept. Children (with adult help) will find that the striking illustrations clearly demonstrate how adjectives work with nouns. An alligator's back is described as ridged and bumpy while a peacock's tail is colorful, big, and bright. A game is also included to get children thinking creatively by coming up with adjectives for each letter of their name.  Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.

3.  Many Luscious Lollipops by Ruth Heller
An adjective never fails to add details to what you write and say.
A MESMERIZING, COLORFUL and GLITTERING display.
A WET and SOGGY day.
RAINY, WINTERY and GRAY.
Explore language and discover how to identify and create many different types of adjectives from demonstratives to articles, to proper adjectives.  Dedicated to helping children learn a variety of nonfiction subjects, the Explore series uses pitch-perfect rhyming text and brilliantly illustrated images to make learning fun. Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.  

For Older Readers:

4.  Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What is an Adverb by Brian P. Cleary
Bursting with adverbs, this addition to the Words Are CATegorical(tm) series creatively clarifies the concept of adverbs for young readers with delightfully playful rhymes and extremely humorous illustrations. For easy identification, adverbs are printed in color and key words are illustrated on each page. Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.  

5.   Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective by Brian P. Cleary
Simple, rhyming text and colorful cartoon cats help children expand their vocabularies and gain an appreciation for the rhythm of language in this lighthearted book of rhyming verse. Adjectives like frilly, silly, polka-dotted, fizzy, and spunky are printed in color, and all the words will tickle you pink!Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.

6.  Eats, Shoots and Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! by Lynne Truss

Illuminating the comical confusion the lowly comma can cause, this new edition of Eats, Shoots & Leaves uses lively, subversive illustrations to show how misplacing or leaving out a comma can change the meaning of a sentence completely.  This picture book is sure to elicit gales of laughter—and better punctuation—from all who read it. Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here. 

7.  The Girl's Like Spaghetti by Lynne Truss

Just as the use of commas was hilariously demystified in Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference!, now Lynne Truss and Bonnie Timmons put their talents together to do the same for apostrophes. Everyone needs to know where to put an apostrophe to make a word plural or possessive (Are those sticky things your brother?s or your brothers?) and leaving one out of a contraction can give someone the completely wrong impression (Were here to help you).  Full of silly scenes that show how apostrophes make a difference, too, this is another picture book that will elicit bales of laughter and better punctuation from all who read it.Get it at Changing Hands Bookstore here.