By Jamie Lee Curtis Big Words for Little People [Hardcover]

Do you want to be in a good mood when you read to your tykesters and tykestresses? Buy this book! It's chicken soup for the reader's soul.Can you remember when you were little and liked to play with words, almost like putting together alphabet blocks in the air to amaze people? Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell evoke that wondrous moment in childhood and provide parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles with a resource to prepare the younger set to share some stunning pronouncements that will amaze casual observers.Characterizing the book that way isn't really accurate. There are wheels within wheels here; orbs that will charm those who are looking for other sorts of entertainment. Here's an example: In our family, all the wee ones loved searching for tiny hidden items in puzzle books. Big Words for Little People has tiny drawings and labels throughout that invite and reward minute inquiry. For instance, the two-page spread on "consequence" contains a note that a frog and six little ones are missing from the terrarium. Tiny dots of green reveal bits and pieces of the escapees in humorous spots.Adults like little surprises, too. Tiny notes and signs provide much adult humor that can be shared with youngsters . . . or simply chuckled over by the reader (such as the "Glowy Teeth" toothpaste with bleach and antibiotics).There's an important context here: The words, stories, and illustrations are intended to convey useful principles for having a large, loving family enjoy each others' company. We have a mom and dad, six rambunctious youngsters in all shapes and sizes, and various pets. The beauty-obsessed sister needs some privacy to put on her face goo. Frantic mom is struggling to head for school and can't find the car keys. A happy teacher is portrayed as praising good spelling with "stupendous!" and "superb!" After a mishap with chewing gum, one sister has to sit inside during recess: That's a "consequence." On a challenging shoe run, dad wants everyone to "cooperate." Moms will appreciate that the book teaches children not to wake up mom when she's sick: That would be "inconsiderate." And on the lessons go.The illustrations are marvelous. Although quite sophisticated in composition, they seem almost like what a mischievous child would enjoy painting in water colors. The bright colors bring a sunny emotional tone to the book that well matches the simple, clear verses written by Ms. Curtis.Ms. Curtis and Ms. Cornell are an amazing team for perking up your family. Bring them into all of your children's bedrooms.

My granddaughter who is four loves to learn new words. When I say a word that is new to her, she will ask me what it means. A little four year old mind wants to expand her universe.Jamie Lee Curtis is known for writing exciting new books that leave messages of learning and lessons. In this book she writes in rhyme, and the sequence is delightful. The words she chooses all have relevance and will expand your child's universe. Words like Privacy, Consequence, Cooperate and Patience. Parents/teachers will open up many discussions with the children they read to. Your child will practice the word and want to use it in a sentence. Do not be surprised if your child asks for Privacy in the days after reading this book. Your children will be so proud of the words they have learned and learned to use. The illustrations by Laura Cornell are bright, vivid and colorful! depicting all the words and sequence of events that led up to the use of these words. This will be such a fun time for everyone.

I purchased one set of Jamie Lee Curtis' books when my son was little. After he outgrew them, I donated them to the public library. Fast forward to about 5 years later and I was in a job working with children diagnosed as severely emotionally disturbed. These were great kids, but needed validation on the inner storms that they were feeling. I remembers these books and reordered 3 of the ones I had previously had. The kids loved them! They introduced topics in their terms and we were able to expand on the topic in ways that they understood. It was also fun when the kids used the books to show off their newly acquired reading skills.

My granddaughter who is four loves to learn new words. When I say a word that is new to her, she will ask me what it means. A little four year old mind wants to expand her universe.Jamie Lee Curtis is known for writing exciting new books that leave messages of learning and lessons. In this book she writes in rhyme, and the sequence is delightful. The words she chooses all have relevance and will expand your child's universe. Words like Privacy, Consequence, Cooperate and Patience. Parents/teachers will open up many discussions with the children they read to. Your child will practice the word and want to use it in a sentence. Do not be surprised if your child asks for Privacy in the days after reading this book. Your children will be so proud of the words they have learned and learned to use. The illustrations by Laura Cornell are bright, vivid and colorful! depicting all the words and sequence of events that led up to the use of these words. This will be such a fun time for everyone.Recommended. prisrob 05-15-14

I bought this for my son for Christmas. The book is colorful and full of big, new words. This is great for an 2-4 year old who likes books! The quality of the used book I purchased was pretty bad. It was ripped in places even when the listing said, 'like-new.'

This is one of my favorite Jamie Lee Curtis/ Laura Cornell books, and I enjoy all of them. It is tons of fun, and as always, Cornell's illustrations are spot-on and immensely entertaining. I can look at it even after reading it hundreds of times, and notice something funny I hadn't noticed before. I love the big family idea of it, too, and especially how it ends. "Love is the biggest big word of all..." It makes me cry to read it... Every. Time.I've bought this for several friends' presents, and I think it's especially great for adoptive families as well. I bought it for my nephew's first birthday, and he is adopted. I hope he grows up knowing how loved he is, thanks, at least a little, to this book.

As a developmental psychologist, I see my fair share of children's books. This is really one of the better ones out there. It teaches "big words" (like consequences and privacy) in a way that is super easy for young ones to understand. Considering children are surrounded by adult words all the time, it seems reasonable that they should be explicitly taught what some of the ones directed towards them mean. Put away your fancy flash cards, and pick up this fun, rhyming, well illustrated book. I personally have purchased it for a number of family members and other close-to-the-heart little ones.