Muddy As A Duck Puddle: And Other American Similes

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Real American similes are brought to life in this laugh-out-loud language arts picture book.

This collection of similes from A to Z is as zany as a chigger chased around a stump. It includes rib-tickling folk expressions from Americans of all walks of life and all parts of the country in a bodacious tribute to both our country's diversity and pioneer heritage. There is a funny simile and uproarious illustration for each letter of the alphabet....

See more details below
Hardcover
$14.41
BN.com price
(Save 14%)$16.95 List Price
Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (22) from $1.99   
  • New (13) from $10.50   
  • Used (9) from $1.99   
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Real American similes are brought to life in this laugh-out-loud language arts picture book.

This collection of similes from A to Z is as zany as a chigger chased around a stump. It includes rib-tickling folk expressions from Americans of all walks of life and all parts of the country in a bodacious tribute to both our country's diversity and pioneer heritage. There is a funny simile and uproarious illustration for each letter of the alphabet. Readers who are as curious as cats will enjoy the fascinating author's note that explores the origins of the expressions. A bibliography is included.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Susan Treadway M.Ed.
This marvelous ABC picture book presents common American phrases used by ordinary people in everyday life. As the author so nicely indicates in her extensive Author's Note and short Bibliography, folk expressions are actually "proverbial comparisons" that give the English language unique color, history, and flavor. Regional references are nicely evident in comic-style illustrations that personify delightful characters (both human and animal) in bright hues and large sizes on every page. For instance, the title originates from the state of Virginia, as does "happy as a clam at high water." Other phrases come from Wisconsin, Indiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, but some are attributed to geographic areas such as the Ozarks. Southern or Midwestern phrases such as "ornery as a skunk," "easy as shinnying up a thorn tree with an armload of eels," "tight as a new boot," or "keen as a briar" describe exactly what an animal does in it environment so that others have no doubt about the description of a person's behavior. Other jargon, such as "welcome as a polecat at a picnic" and "gritty as fish eggs rolled in sand," was commonly used among cowboys in the American West. The youngest children will find the book filled with hilarious images. Expressions might not make any sense at all, but any reader will enjoy the silliness and far-fetched adventures. Older readers will recognize many similes, especially as they discern real life from incredible humor. Their ability to discriminate between clearly imaginative renditions and vivid reality opens a great window into American history, geography, and Language Arts. Students will gain meaningful insight into the nation's cultural mix while sharing laughs thorough many read-alouds with partners or individual exploration by traveling through different locations of the United States using colorful expressions. Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed.
School Library Journal
Gr 2–4—Lawlor has collected 26 "proverbial comparisons"—one for each letter of the alphabet—that are uniquely American. Some may be familiar—"Jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"—and others perhaps more obscure—"Zany as a chigger chased around a stump." Long's digitally rendered cartoon illustrations feature bright, flat colors and help to explain the similes while adding significantly to the humor. Back matter includes detailed notes that provide the place of origin and a clear breakdown of the meaning. Useful as an introduction to colorful language, the book could also serve as a preamble to a unit on the American tall tale and its propensity to exaggerate.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Publishers Weekly
Lawlor’s (The School at Crooked Creek) collection of regional American expressions will remind readers that not everyone speaks like a newscaster and that American English once had real character. There are enough similes here to smother a cow: “Ugly as a mud fence dabbed over with toad frogs,” “Lazy as a hound that leans against the fence to bark” and “Gritty as fish eggs rolled in sand,” to name a few. A definition of simile is found on the copyright page, and each one is defined (“Gritty as fish eggs” is a “cowboy’s definition of a brave person”). Arranged in alphabetical order, the similes, most of which hail from Appalachia, are illustrated by Long (Tickle the Duck!) with big, flat-perspective spreads peopled by characters with googly eyes and goofy expressions. Most are unfortunately literal-minded, illustrating the expression itself and not a situation in which the simile might have been used. But they help make the more opaque expressions clear and should draw giggles. A good start for an English lesson about adding color to one’s writing. Ages 6–10. (Mar.)
Kirkus Reviews
From A to Z, Lawlor has collected American folk sayings to tickle the funnybone. The similes, as coupled with Long's comic cartoon-like illustrations, will linger in readers' imaginations. The picture that accompanies "Jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" traps a nervous cat anxiously clutching his tail in the midst of obliviously rocking adults. "Happy as a clam at high water" depicts a smug clam looking up at a fox and a bird, both unable to catch him up in their claws. The alphabetical list seems a rather weak glue to hold the sayings together, but the significant author's note provides ample descriptions of these "proverbial comparisons," most of which hail from the Ozarks. The origin of each simile is explored, along with extra historical information where needed. Budding writers may well pick up a few new sayings from the body of the text, but for many readers, the backmatter will be the most interesting feature of the book. Whether this detracts from or enhances the reading experience depends on whether readers are as curious as a cat or ornery as a skunk. (bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-10)
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780823422296
  • Publisher: Holiday House, Inc.
  • Publication date: 2/11/2010
  • Pages: 32
  • Sales rank: 372,364
  • Age range: 6 - 9 Years
  • Product dimensions: 8.60 (w) x 11.00 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)