Big Words for Little Geniuses

by Susan Patterson, James Patterson, Hsinping Pan (Illustrations)

There's no "gobbledygook" in this picture book by James and Susan Patterson, with each letter of the alphabet providing a sophisticated word and definition for "Lilliputian" children to learn. Adults will appreciate the "juxtaposition" of young kids properly using impressive words that many grownups may not have heard of before! Includes a list of extra words in the back for further learning.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Words, Humor, Education, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2017

About the author

Susan Solie Patterson has a Bachelor of Science/Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she was also an All-American swimmer. She is the author of Things I Wish I Told My Mother and Big Words for Little Geniuses, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Reviews

[Phyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute... I would have added charcuterie for C haha

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. Well, I am a big fan of big words, so I definitely like what this book was going for. The word choices were a bit uneven, but that's probably to be expected in this sort of situation.

I do take issue with the description of the quokka as "smiles quite a lot". They are not smiling, and they are not harmless little fuzzy playthings. They are part of the animal kingdom in Australia, a place where animals regularly kill people. Though now that I think of it, that is perhaps not quite the tone that this book is going for...

However, I have to comment on something that this book omits. I notice this is more common with books by authors who are very famous (for whatever reason--in this case the fame is actually due to writing, in fact) but it also happens with other situations where the creator(s) of text are named and highlighted while the creator(s) of the images are either mentioned as an afterthought or receive the bottom billing... or in the worst cases, no mention at all. The back cover flap has an author bio of James and Susan Patterson--but nothing about the artist who created the illustrations, Hsinping Pan. Everyone is credited on the cover (hooray!) but should also be included in the back matter.

Illustrators rarely get adequate billing--this is an issue that readers can involved with. If you are one such person, do please check out the ongoing campaign called #PicturesMeanBusiness

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very original idea for an ABC book, and sure to expand a reader's vocabulary!
Each page presents one word for each letter of the alphabet. The letters are large, the words are in bold black, with the pronunciation and definition given. The entire page is filled with color, and animals, people, or objects depicting the meaning.
An entire additional set of words is given in the back.
I was most delighted with 'idioglossia' - a friend and I had our our secret language as children. Little did I know that there is a real word for it!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A star for the pronunciation guide, and another for the illustrations that actually *illustrate* communicatively. Another star for the fact that many of these are some of my favorite words, and that I find the illustrations appealing. Another star for concept. Another for appendix of bonus words, and inclusion of a new-to-me word that I can use, zoosemiotics. Minus a star for oversize and celebrity author (sorry, personal distaste, I probably shouldn't be so judgmental).

Recommended for ages 4-104. ;)

[Hannah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! You won't be able to resist saying each of these words out loud and having a nice chuckle as you make multiple attempts with your favorite words. My favorite words included, "gnashnab," which is a person who complains a lot (sometimes me) and "quaquaversal," which is a shape that "starts at the center and spreads out everywhere beautifully." Though these were my favorite words, the one I couldn't resist saying over and over again was, "fünfundfünfzig," which is pronounced like this: foon-foond-FOONF-zig. I also can't forget to give a nod to the illustrations. Bright and exuberant with color combinations that create instant happiness when your eyes absorb them.

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the cutest book I have ever read. Will keep the children and the reader active in trying to pronounce such difficult words. Even I had to look at the pronunciations. I love the vivid colors and illustrations. Truly a book that all ages will love and remember.

[Jessica Furtado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of James Patterson and the way that he puts his name on other authors' books to get them published, or the fact that there isn't much "writing" involved, seeing as the definitions of words can be found right in a dictionary. But the illustrations are delightful, and kids and adults alike will have fun trying to pronounce some of these tricky words. A picture book for the older set, perhaps around third grade level.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, so, up this lady's alley! This book of words, with its perfectly cute & colorful illustrations, is so much fun! No bumfuzzling you here!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My new favorite alphabet book. Nincompoop! Catawampus! Gobbledygook!

And the illustrations are wonderful as well.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun way to get kids interested in learning new words.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun! The concept is fun! The words are fun! The illustrations are fun! I cannot think of a single reason you wouldn’t want to pick up this book.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I learned several new words (archibutyrophobia, empyreal, pandiculation), I felt this was really geared towards parents, and pretentious ones at that.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations!

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing better than hearing my 2.5 year old say Onomatopoeia.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, I can say I've "read" a James Patterson book, although this one is for kids, and it's actually written by his wife, Susan. It's an A to Z book, full of odd words, some of them so obscure that not even the English majors among us have heard them used. I'm not a Patterson fan, but I do at least salute him for using some of his publishing power to promote literacy and lifelong reading habits for all the little geniuses out there.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all of the wonderful James Patterson kids' books, this has to be my favorite (and there are some WONDERFUL ones, like House of Robots and I Funny series). This book teaches those big words, like FLIBBERTIGIBBET (a friend who loves to talk and talk) and GOBBEDLYGOOK (goofy or nonsensical talk). KUDOS for phonetic and vocabularic skill buildings with cool illustrations.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words and brief definitions. I struggled a little with the pronunciation guide, I wish it was more in the style of a traditional dictionary's pronunciation guides. I can see why this was such a popular book, the illustrations are appealing and it gives you the chance to share somewhat obscure vocabulary words with young kids.

Not as much fun as I'd hoped it would be, but, still a nice choice.

[Deedeebear3! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Read this book with my family. we were laughing so hard at the ridiculous words that somehow exist! I loved it

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Big Words For Little Geniuses, written by Susan and James Patterson and illustrated by Hsinping Pan.

Have you ever been part of a kerfuffle? Or seen something that was a bit catawampus? Ever wanted to know if there was a word for the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth? (There is, it’s “arachibutyrophobia”!) This delightfully unusual alphabet book challenges little readers with lesser-known, often-lengthy, and wonderfully fun-to-say words that they may not hear elsewhere. Little bookworms can learn about words like “Lilliputian”, “quokka”, and “flibbertigibbet”, from phonetic spelling to an easily-understood definition, with even more words included in a glossary in the backmatter.

What fun! As a lover of words, especially unusual, little-used, and/or esoteric ones, this was an incredibly enjoyable read for both myself and JJ. The Pattersons do a great job of choosing words that are unusual yet still entertaining and identifiable, so kids can indeed find use for them in their everyday lives (as can the adults reading with them)! The whimsical and vivid color-block illustrations are a treat, and JJ absolutely adored them. This was a good length for a quick read-through, and could provide lots of fun for repeat readings and learning opportunities. A perfect book for budding logophiles, and we definitely recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
Big words for little geniuses by Susan and James Patterson is a super cute book that is great for all readers: kids who love to be ahead in the reading game, and kids who might be struggling when it comes down to bigger words. The kids will learn all kinds of big, crazy words that are fun to read and to say. Adults may enjoy learning some of these words, too! The pictures make it easy to remember and there's plenty of humor to make the definitions silly, fun, relatable, and memorable. Also, each word has pronunciations listed right next to it, so those kids that have trouble putting big words together will definitely benefit from this book. It will get your (kids) excited about reading and learning new words. Watch their vocabulary extend further than you can imagine!

Activity:
The last two pages of the book is a giant list of big words that would be fun to learn. Have each student pick a word from the last two pages and learn about that word. Then, each kid can tell the class, or small group, about the word they learned. They can describe their word by other words, pictures, acting it out, etc.

Citation:
Patterson, S. and Patterson, J. (2017). Big words for little geniuses. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group, Inc.

[Elizabeth Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arachibutyrphobia- is the alarming fear of peanut butter sticking to the top of your mouth!
Why use short normal words, when there is so many big and fun words out there? Read this book to your child and have their first word be one of a little genius.
This book is an awesome education tool. It is just filled with big complicated words and definitions. Each word is illustrated in a funny way. The colorful pages and silly words are sure to grab any child’s attention. Even after reading, in the back few pages there is even more fun words to learn. Having children actually learn these words will improve their vocabulary and make them more knowledgeable. I enjoyed reading this book myself, learning new words that I can use to impress others. It was a fun read and its illustrations make it fun to look at.

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute concept with sweet illustrations, however I'm truly not a fan of famous authors slapping their names on a work to promote it for someone else. Could Susan Patterson not get her book published on her own merit? Some of the words in here are so beyond everyday usage that I'm not sure they'll hold much appeal for tykes. Unusual vocabulary is great, but I think certain words wouldn't even be useful to a child out of context. Idioglossia? Really? Volitant? Yes, I can only imagine that many well-read adults will balk at some of these words - not to mention the preschooler they're reading it to.

[Book Concierge · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title implies, this picture book introduces our youngest readers (or those being read TO) to some new vocabulary. There is no “C is for Cat” here. Instead it’s “C is for Catawampus.”

The illustrations by Hsingping Pan are marvelous. And the Pattersons include (in bold type) some more common words beginning with the same letter in every explanation of the big word. Example: “Catawampus means tilted, diagonal, or just a little bit crooked.”

I learned a couple of new words, too! I’m going to buy this for my grandniece. Can hardly wait to read it to her.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are 26 works with lots of letters or interesting pronunciations. And who knew there was a word for the fear of having peanut butter stuck in the roof of your mouth. And such a lovely word is included, dulcifluous, flowing sweetly and gently. While this is a book by the Pattersons, they probably choose the words included, it is the illustrations of the words that are the heart of this title. The illustrations are fun and precisely illustrate the definition of the word in a fun way. Great work Hsinping Pan

[Emily Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an English major, I was surprised that this book introduced me to 2 new words: “Arachibutyrophobia” and “Kerfuffle.”

I’m a huge fan of the concept of this book and introducing children to large words. It’s a fun book, that most children will find silly. But they will subconsciously learn the definitions of the funny words that mom, dad, grandparent, or teacher is forced to pronounce. Not a huge fan of every word in the book (I wish they would’ve chosen some different words), but I believe I will be adding this to my collection of children’s books.

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won Big Words for Little Geniuses a while back through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you! I waited to get it from my library before reading it because I want to gift it to one of the grands . . .

I think Big Words for Little Geniuses is quite clever but I can't seem to catalog it. It's not a story book, not quite an alphabet book, nor an animal book. It's crazy, big, FUN-to-say words in alphabetical order with pronunciations, definitions and bright, colorful illustrations.

. . . and now I have to buy another for the other!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This alphabet book introduces children to vocabulary words that even most adults aren't familiar with. I have loved words all my life, but due to my habit of mocking James Patterson publications, I didn't expect to be impressed. Then I opened the book to the 'pulchritudinous' page and was completely sold. YES. YES. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK ALL MY LIFE. The words were well-chosen, the pronunciation guides were clear, and the illustrations were vibrant and appealing. This is a winner.

[W.H. Beck]

Rapscallions who collect pulchritudinous words are going to break out in horripilation over this alphabet book.

Great way to kick off a classroom word wall. Or read with Max's Words for a wordy story time - kids could then cut out words from magazines and make their own stories.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Patterson's wife is the author of this one, James get's his name on the cover of course, but his name gets on the cover of books as he walks past a book store! Anyway this one is a list of big words for younger readers.
Is it useful? That is debatable, I'm sure it is of some interest, and perhaps if the child reads it over and over as they are prone to do with some books then they might learn these words, it is more likely to be that's interesting, and not remembered.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book full of fun words. I could see my children enjoying many of them, and I could picture my own father using this with me when I was growing up. Why not include words that are fun to say? The illustrations are cute as well. I could see using this with students and having them create their own alphabet book with multisyllabic words.