I'll Believe You When . . .: Unbelievable Idioms from Around the World

by Susan Schubert, Raquel Bonita (Illustrator)

Overview

A fun-filled book of idioms from around the world that will spark the imagination of readers everywhere and encourage them to delight in language.

You've probably heard the expression "when pigs fly," but have you heard the Spanish phrase "when frogs grow hair" or the Yoruba saying "when chicken have teeth"? A rib-tickling collection of idioms from around the world. But the question is: will you believe them...?

“I loved so much of this book! It's a funny book about idioms for young children and celebrates diversity in a fun way”—Youth Services Book Review, 5 STARS

“With a world map, exploration of complex and playful language and inclusive illustrations, there is lots to enjoy in this book. There is certainly a lot that will have little ones giggling!”—Father Reading Every Day

“Such a fun book! It will spark the imagination of readers and encourage them to play with language themselves!”—Youth Libraries Group

“A very weird and silly book. If you’ve never heard of idioms you should read this book. After you read it you will have fun making up more silly sentences”—Xavier, Age 5, Kids' Book Buzz, 5 STARS

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911373490
Publisher:	Lantana Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Series:	Lantana Global Picture Books Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susan Schubert retired after thirty years as a Kindergarten teacher and currently enjoys her "second career" assisting adult English Language Learners and citizenship candidates. She lives in Maryland with her cat, Hannah.

Raquel Bonita is an illustrator from northern Spain. Her illustrations have received awards at children's book fairs and exhibitions around the world including Portugal, Chile, Korea, China and the UAE.

Editorial Reviews

". . . [A] romp featuring diverse children and the creatures and crazy situations from the relevant idiom[s]. . . . A worthwhile addition to ELA classrooms and library shelves."—Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-02-09
Kids from different countries introduce idioms.

On the title-page spread, a child with dark brown skin and black curly hair says: “Do you see the dragon?” Another kid, with pinkish skin and straight orange hair, says: “Dragon? What dragon? I’ll believe you…” and the turn reveals a double-page spread with enormous, flying pink porcine creatures and the words “…when pigs fly!” A bucolic, woodland scene is the backdrop, and lettering on a tree indicates “United Kingdom.” The pattern continues as other, diverse children join the first, black child in the same wooded scene, newly named animals and trees with different labels offering a variety. The humorous expressions of disbelief include “…when crows fly upside down!” from the Malayali people of India; “…when the lobster whistles on top of the mountain!” from Russia; and “when chickens have teeth!” from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The cartoons are stylized but mostly recognizable and usually humorous. The author’s note informs readers that idioms’ “meanings come from the speaking patterns of the time or culture that coined them” but provides no specific information about the 11 selected; only four are from non-European languages. Endpaper maps help orient readers geographically, and on the rear, the sayings are printed in the original languages, all in roman letters even when the original language uses a different alphabet or script.

Buy this book when, as the Spanish say, “frogs grow hair!” (Informational picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews