To Root, to Toot, to Parachute

What Is a Verb?

From the Series Words Are CATegorical ®

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

What is a verb? It’s easier to show than explain!

In this fun and animated introduction to grammar, rhyming verse is used to creatively clarify the concept of verbs. Chock-full of colorful, lively examples, the playful rhymes and illustrations of comical cartoon cats combine to hightlight key words in the sentences. Verbs like toss and tumble, jump and jam, jog and juggle, and jig and leap are printed in color for easy identification.

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978-1-57505-418-6
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978-1-4677-7156-6
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978-0-7613-6780-2
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978-1-5124-7988-1
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Traditional Nonfiction
Copyright 2001
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2002-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.9
Text Type Poetry
BISACS JNF029020, JNF029040, JNF029000
Dewey 428.2
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 6.875 x 9
Guided Reading Level O
ATOS Reading Level 3.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 49300
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Awards, Reviewed, and Teaching Guides

Author: Brian P. Cleary

Brian P. Cleary is an American humorist, poet, and author. He is best known for his books written for grade-school children that explore grammar, math and poetry in humorous ways. In his role in the digital division of American Greetings, he’s put words in the mouths of Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, William Shatner, Meghan Trainor and more. The multi-million selling author has performed poetry workshops in 500 elementary schools across the county. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

Illustrator: Jenya Prosmitsky

Jenya Prosmitsky was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and lived most of her childhood and teen years in Kishinev, Moldavia (former U.S.S.R.). She studied fine arts, illustration, and graphic design at Repin College of Arts in Kishinev before coming to the U.S. For over 10 years Jenya has worked as an interactive/graphic designer and children’s book illustrator. She is the artistic creator of the Words Are CATegorical series for Lerner Publishing Group of Minneapolis. Jenya resides in Boston with her husband, Olivier, two daughters, Eugénie and Alexandra, and two cats, Ferruccio and Marcello.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Words Are CATegorical ®

The best-selling Words Are CATegorical® series introduces young readers to different types of words through rhyming verse and illustrations of comical cartoon cats. Offering a lighthearted perspective, each title shows readers the fun and entertaining world of language. View available downloads →

Awards

  • American Bookseller Kids' Pick of the Lists, Winner, 2001
  • Book-of-the-Month Children's Club Selection, Winner, 2001

Reviews

Booklist

“Cleary’s energy and sunny choice of words make the book lively and delightfully bright, a feeling reinforced by the action-packed illustrations scattered across the pages. Children can use the book in class or at home with help from a grown-up.”
Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“Working in rhyme, Cleary presents a flurry of verbs to readers – often in humourous juxtaposition – and a sprinkling of grammatical rules. Prosmitsky provides loads of visual clues as to the action that is taking place, and colored type cues readers to which word is the verb.”
Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

“Prosmitsky’s signature silly cats act and act and act! Aspiring writers will know by the end of this book that, ‘If it’s an action, it’s a verb!’”
Publishers Weekly