Showing posts with label Vanita Oelschlager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vanita Oelschlager. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Idioms - I hope you are "All Ears" for this one!

Idioms are combinations of words which have a figurative meaning. Every language has idioms and the figurative meaning is completely different than the literal meaning of the combined words.

Eye to Eye: A Book of Body Part Idioms
and Silly Pictures
written by Vanita Oelschlager;
illustrated by Robin Hegan

Eye to Eye: A Book of Body Part Idioms and Silly Pictures fifteen idioms of the English language are illustrated and explained. My favorite illustration in this book is the very first idiom - "All ears". In fact, I was a little disappointed when the rest of the book didn't have a double entendre. I love how Ms. Hegan created a visual of this idiom.

an illustration from Eye to Eye: A Book of Body Part Idioms
and Silly Pictures

The idiom for each page is large, in an easily read font. The text explaining the idiom is small at the bottom of the page and includes an example of the idiom in context. This format provides the reader for a large group to simply read the idiom in order to have the listeners predict the meaning. For very young children this could be a very funny experience. For second language learners it can be an extremely beneficial way in which to help them understand the English language.  

Some of the other idioms used in the book include the following :

  • Bone to pick with you.
  • Cold feet
  • Head over heels in love and
  • Cat got your tongue
The last page of the book is dedicated to explaining the word idiom and includes three examples of their hidden meanings. Now, as an adult I have to say this is the most interesting parts of the book. It was fascinating to read how "Let your hair down", "Egg on your face", and "Bury your head in the said" came to be a part of our culture and language. Knowing the background of the idiom makes it more interesting, especially knowing how far society has come in some instances.

This book is written for children approximately 4 to 8. I believe the brightly colored illustrations will immediately grab their attention and the idioms will begin to be a part of their every day speaking. Children are captivated by new vocabulary and word combinations that make them laugh. The marriage of phrases and text is perfect for young children in helping them to understand expressions they may have heard all of their life, but never fully understood until now.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Vanita Books has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.




Thursday, June 13, 2013

More Picture Books...


A Tale of Two Daddies
by Vanita Oelschlager
A Tale of Two Mommies
by Vanita Oelschlager
A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager is a delightful story about a questions and answers session between three children while playing on a beach. Two of the children (girl and boy) ask a little boy about his life with two mommies. They ask typical questions a young child would ask another in order to understand the dynamics of his household that is different from their own.

A Tale of Two Daddies also by Vanita Oelschlager, 
is also a questions and answers session, but this time it is between two children playing at the park. A little boy asks questions of a little girl about her life with two daddies.  

There is no stereotype presented in either book.  Both books can spark conversations in what society calls a "typical" household of a mother and father with children. I see this book as a great opportunity to begin a conversation about how a child in the little boy's similar situation, whether with two mommies or two daddies  can respond in a very positive manner to questions asked about his/ her family.

I do not believe either of these books should be overlooked. I think they will be great additions to any library serving young children. As librarians it is our responsibility to provide children with picture books to which they can relate. This is not something new. The point of the story is the child is loved. It doesn't matter the gender of the two adult parental units. What has been seen as a family is changing and we need to accept this fact. 

I am a heterosexual woman. I have been married for over twenty years and I have a son in college. I embrace my friends (and family) who have a different lifestyle than my own. I applaud them for having the courage to live their life in the manner they choose. The children of same sex parents are planned, which is not always the case for heterosexual couples, and they should not have a stigma placed on them for this loving environment.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, VanitaBooks, LLC has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.