Words. Selig collects them, ones that stir his heart (Mama!) and ones that make him laugh (giggle). But what to do with so many luscious words? Aft...
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reviews
Oct 22, 2011
Joanna
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Potter already has me intrigued with her book jacket of a young boy surrounded by nouns and adjectives cut from newsprint! Schotter hooks me on page one, by not shying away from our hero’s love of BIG words like tintinnabulating or tantalizing! Selig collects words as other young boys might shells or stamps. On every page of Selig’s story the reader will encounter new words; a plethora of rich vocabulary as well as a creative plot, and while this vocabulary feast will feed many, some children wi
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Aug 28, 2011
Gail
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I am a fourth grade teacher and I am starting a word study in my class. I read an interview with Ralph Fletcher on some good things that writers do. In the interview he talked about collecting words to use in ones writing. He thought it was a good thing to do to inspire children to use different words to enhance their writing. I used this book as a springboard to the lesson. Then I told some of what Ralph Fletcher said in his interview and then I asked the students to watch for words in thei
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Aug 17, 2009
Jen
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I've been going to the library lately looking for childrens' books about word worship or library love. I find all kinds of books that seem to be just what I am looking for and then I get them home and read them and they are just blah. Eh. Good idea. Not so great execution of idea. This book is a classic example. They could have done much better, although the short part about the boy sharing his collected words with a poet with writer's block was okay.
Where is the whizzbang won More...
Where is the whizzbang won More...
8 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 19, 2011
Lisa
rated it: 
Maybe this isn’t a five star book (I had to get used to the way people were depicted, and its attempt at diversity fell short, and even some short parts of the story rubbed me the wrong way, just a tiny bit) but I’m a sucker for books such as this, and 5 stars it is. And, I do this it’s an excellent book.
This book takes a long, long time to read if all the words are read. In addition to the story, there are many words on most pages. (They reminded me of the magnetic poetry kits’ word More...
This book takes a long, long time to read if all the words are read. In addition to the story, there are many words on most pages. (They reminded me of the magnetic poetry kits’ word More...
6 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jul 13, 2010
Elfdart
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this story is about a boy who loves words. he collects words and saves his favourites and he’s ostracized because of this and comes to a point where he’s left home and a man stumbles upon some of his words and makes a poem out of them. he then decides it’s his purpose to spread his words around the world. at the end he meets a girl named melody and the narrator says if ever a word comes upon you it’s because of the boy, and if you feel like singing it’s because melody’s with him.
kind of wo More...
kind of wo More...
Jun 23, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
A wonderous ode to the beauty of words. The boy in this story loves words and collects them as some people would collect rocks or stamps or baseball cards. But when he finds himself overloaded with words, he must find a way to free up his mind and his pockets. In a delightful bit of serendipity, he learns that he can do great things for people by sharing his words.
A charming and clever tale for budding logophiles, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think I would have loved it as More...
A charming and clever tale for budding logophiles, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think I would have loved it as More...
4 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Oct 12, 2009
This story is about Selig/Wordsworth who has an uncanny love of words. As a boy, he was an outcast with the other children his age because while other kids had the normal hobbies, he liked to collect words. He meets a poet who just so happens to use some of Selig’s favorite words in his poetry. This encourages Selig and he continues to pursue his own hobby. After Selig grows older, he meets a woman named Melody and they fall in love. At my age, I liked this book. I’m not sure if it would be
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May 04, 2010
Amber
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This is a good book to introduce new words to students. In this book, it talks about a boy who loved words a lot and didn't know how to express them without being made fun of. He knew words and used words that nobody had heard of. He didn't want the words he knew of to go to waste. So he puts them on tree limbs and allows the wind to blow them away, and to allow people to use them to make poems. It is a cute book. Also, in the back of the book, there is a dictionary with the words they use in th
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Sep 24, 2011
Robert
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Over the last two days I read this book with my class.
Back in May when I read this book for the first time, I wrote:
"The language in this story is marvelous. What a great way to share juicy words! I am not certain about the 3.6 reading level Follett assigns. Students will be able to follow the story, but the language could trip them up a bit.
I should use this as a read aloud when we read Donavan's Word Jar."
Well, I did just that. The students re More...
Back in May when I read this book for the first time, I wrote:
"The language in this story is marvelous. What a great way to share juicy words! I am not certain about the 3.6 reading level Follett assigns. Students will be able to follow the story, but the language could trip them up a bit.
I should use this as a read aloud when we read Donavan's Word Jar."
Well, I did just that. The students re More...
Dec 15, 2011
In this book, a word-loving boy spreads the knowledge of all the words he learns. He introduces tons of new words for children. It would be a great book to read and then discuss the words after so that the students understand what they mean. It would be great to read and talk about how the word is used and what make them interesting. It is best for students over seven. The illustrations are somewhat dull but most of the emphasis on this book is placed on the words and learning new things.
Apr 01, 2011
This is a book all about a boy that loves words! I would say that this is an inspirational book that encourages readers to find purpose in what they enjoy doing. The fact that this boy loves words and the words that the author includes makes me want to write a poem! The book includes a glossary of the words used because some of them I have never heard before! I would like to have this in my classroom to help students see what can be done with their dreams and with words!
Jan 30, 2011
Lolene
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I loved this book. If you like the sounds of fantabulous words strung together, if you like the idea of a child who collects words, if YOU yourself have a love affair with words...you will adore this book. I wish I could express myself using some of those cool, cool words, but I'm feeling brain-dead and very un-creative. I read my daughter's copy of this picture book...and now I must own it. I shall own it. I shall own it SOON!
Jul 10, 2011
Ann
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I kept waiting for this book to be about someone who really lived (an author, poet, etc.) and it wasn't - so, I think had I known that for sure prior to reading I would have enjoyed the book even more.
That said, I like the way this book was written, and especially liked that all the complicated words were explained in the back for those curious to know their definitions.
The arc of the story wasn't anything amazing, but I appreciated what the book set out to do, and how ch More...
That said, I like the way this book was written, and especially liked that all the complicated words were explained in the back for those curious to know their definitions.
The arc of the story wasn't anything amazing, but I appreciated what the book set out to do, and how ch More...
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(4 people liked it)
Apr 10, 2011
Salina
rated it:
This book introduces many words throughout the story and into my vocabulary. The young boy doesn't know what he wants to be in life or what he should do with all these words. It isn't until he meets the love of his life where he figures out what he should do. The illustration, word usage, and detail are great in this book!
Jan 24, 2010
Nancy
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Fantastic words in this book will have your children asking all kinds of questions. The first grade that this book is regularly read to love it. They like to say the words again and again. I like the illustrations in this book too. In the book, the boy collects so many words that he can hardly move.
Sep 04, 2009
Deanna
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I liked this book because it had lots of vocabulary words. The words were in sentences so you could easily figure out the meaning. The story was good and the illustrations were okay.
I checked this out for Luke because he LOVES words also. He did like it, but it was more just a nice-one time read-story.
I checked this out for Luke because he LOVES words also. He did like it, but it was more just a nice-one time read-story.
Jan 26, 2009
Cynthia
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This is a great picture book. I really like the glossary at the end of the book. A fun light-hearted look at teh words we use and how. Being different and finding our purpose is also a theme. This is now on my wishlist.
Apr 22, 2009
Jeanene
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I liked this book. It would be a cute story to use when you want to get older children to expand their vocabularies when they are writing. The colors are really pretty and love that there is a glossary in the back.
Nov 21, 2011
Kyle
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In the story the loves to collect words, but in the end, his real joys comes when he shares words with others. Great book for creating excitement about independent reading and encouraging students to summarize and share their stories with classmates.
May 07, 2010
Alisha
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Wonderful Wonderful WONDERFUL. Has expanding vocabulary and LOTS of words on the pages which are great for a creative kid who LOVES to ask what things are. Good storyline. Very enjoyable!
Sep 10, 2010
Ruth
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This is the story of a boy who has a passion for words . . . how they taste on his tongue, how they feel in his ears, and how they move his heart. He is called an oddball at school and is often lonely. After advice from a djinn in a dream, he realizes that he does have a passion, he just has to find a purpose.
I like all the vocabulary introduced in the book ( and the glossary in the back) but I found the story line lacking, though the themes and sentiment were excellent. Also, th More...
I like all the vocabulary introduced in the book ( and the glossary in the back) but I found the story line lacking, though the themes and sentiment were excellent. Also, th More...
Jan 03, 2012
Megan
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I like the idea of this book and I love the vocabulary the author chooses to use. However, I think it would be hard to use for a classroom read-aloud.
Mar 03, 2010
Cole
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I wasn't sure how Cole would like this book, but he asked for it several times. Not sure what he liked so much about it, though I do like the book.
Dec 26, 2008
Bridget
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My mom the children's librarian found this one for me this Christmas. Delightful adult reading for someone who was much like Selig as a little kid.
Oct 27, 2011
Misty
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I love the message of this book (find your passion and share it with others), I love the illustrations, and I love the glossary in the back.
Oct 07, 2010
Lhmama (holly)
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As a person who adores words and tries to instill that in my students, this book was great. Even a little love story in there too! c. 2006 genre
Sep 14, 2009
Amy
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I got this at the library for Dom to read to Luca and Dominick and I loved it!!!! We even looked words up in the dictionary!!! Luca not so much!
Nov 05, 2011
Michelle
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Love the idea of a boy who loved words, but the story just wasn't working for me. Great word choice. Not so great story.
Apr 13, 2009
Zonia
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A young man who collects words feels weighed down by all the words until he gives a poet the right words and finds a purpose.
Jul 14, 2011
Rachel
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The story wasn't especially captivating but the underlying themes were; I related completely--my girls, not so much.
