Beatrice Spells Some Lulus and Learns to Write a Letter

by Cari Best, Giselle Potter (Illustrator)

Beatrice wants to write the kind of letters that start with “Dear Somebody,” but she only knows how to write letters like A B C T E R I E. Then her Nanny Hannah teaches her how to put the letters together to spell words, and Beatrice takes off on a spelling spree. She decides to start a Spelling Club at school, but no one signs up because spelling is B-O-R-I-N-G. In fact, the class decides to go on a spelling strike! Then Beatrice has a lulu of an idea and turns show-and-tell into show-and-spell starring her pet T-A-R-A-N-T-U-L-A—and soon everyone has caught the spelling bug.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Writing, Family, Words

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Cari Best has written many award-winning picture books, including Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and My Three Best Friends and Me, described by the New York Times as “refreshing” and “exciting.” Her most recent picture book is If I Could Drive, Mama, was described by Publishers Weekly as “a wonderful tribute to an imagination in perpetual motion.” In the Country of Queens is her first novel. Ms. Best lives in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! This book might inspire kids to study their spelling words. The words in this story are a bit tough for the age of the audience, but it would be a fun book to read with a parent or grandparent.

[Madison Timberlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Cari Best with illustrations by Gisella Potter presents the concept of spelling as an interesting topic for young children. Beatrice is a young girl that loves to spell because of her Nanny Hannah. The illustrations start from the cover and the end pages. You see notebook paper with sketching of a children learning to write. Beatrice notices that her family and friends have no interest in spelling, but she recognizes that she can still think it is fun. She spells anything and everything; she loves to correct other's incorrect words as well.

The illustrations are very bright and colorful just as the view of a child must be when they are excited about something. After realizing her friends did not share the same interest in her favorite activity, Beatrice used her show and tell assignment to show how fun it could actually be. Her display got all of the kids excited about something they were previously going to strike against. This picture book presents a great idea that you should never give up on the things you love even if others do not share your same love for it. I would read this book with K-2 because this age group is just starting to learn letters and putting them together to spell some more advanced words.

[Kifflie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember what it was like when you were learning to spell? Beatrice's grandmother teaches her a great technique to make spelling easier, and now Beatrice is crazy about spelling. She corrects spelling in signs on the street, and even tries to turn on her classmates to it. They don't catch on right away, but then Beatrice, along with her pet R-O-S-E the T-A-R-A-N-T-U-L-A, comes up with a L-U-L-U of an idea!

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to come out of retirement so I can share this with young children. Clever and appealing Beatrice finds a way to get others to Share and Spell instead of Share and Tell when classmates and siblings just don't share her enthusiasm for spelling. Perfect illustrations and delightful language.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for preschoolers / young children who are becoming curious about words and how letters fit together.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about words.

I liked it a lot!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beatrice is thrilled when she is finally able to spell her name, but it seems as though no one other than her grandmother shares her love for spelling. She likes spelling so much that she even corrects words that are incorrect when she spots them in her neighborhood. Although her classmates are completely uninterested in a spelling club, her Show-and-Spell routine featuring her tarantula Rose is such a hit that she starts a spelling fad among her classmates. The "lulus" in the title refers to tough spelling words, and the letter refers to the letter of thanks she sends to her Nanny Hannah. The stylized illustrations have a nostalgic feel to them, with clothing fashions that seem to hearken to yesteryear. I like Beatrice's independence and her love for spelling as well as her persistence in sticking to something she loves.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beatrice learns to finally spell her name and then wants to learn to spell words like locomotive and barracuda. When her grandmother comes to visit, she encourages Beatrice with her spelling. After the kids at school reject a spelling club, Beatrice shows them that spelling can be fun with a Show-and-Spell time.

This is a cute story about loving to spell, but I don't know many kids who would connect with Beatrice.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lulu would like to write a letter, but she knows the letters in her name which limits her word choices. Since no one in her family cared about spelling, she had to wait for her grandma to visit, and the spelling obsession began. She even tried to start a spelling club at school, but the kids were not interested. Not to be deterred, Beatrice comes up with a lulu of an idea which gets the class involved.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice is eager to learn her letters and with her grandma's help she becomes a super speller. When the other kids at school don't share her enthusiasm she finds a way to revamp show-and-tell into show-and-spell.

This is one of the best books about spelling that I've come across. It'd make an excellent read aloud for early elementary school grades.

Watercolor artwork evokes an old-timey feel.
S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G R-O-C-K-S!!!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by her word-loving grandmother, Beatrice--whose favorite "sport" is spelling--tries to start a spelling club at school. When her classmates complain that spelling is boring, Beatrice comes up with a brilliant idea and launches The Show-and-Spell. Challenge new readers to come up with their own "lulu" words, and identify/correct the spelling mistakes scattered throughout the illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some people get hazel eyes or chocolate chip brownies or orange sweaters from the grandmas. Thank you for giving me spelling."

The story of a girl who finds her passion in spelling, thanks to her grandma. As her love for spelling grows, she tries to get her classmates to join her, but they are uninterested. But she persists and when she comes up with Show and Spell, her classmates join in the fun.

A story about following your passions.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book for teachers to share with students or families to share with their own children. It is well written and unique and adorable and might inspire young ones to see how spelling can be seen as cool. The illustrations were the only thing holding me back from giving it 5 stars. I highly recommend it!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a thrilling book, but exceptionally well executed. This is what a lot of books about the joy of learning would like to be. But thy aren't. And this is. Potter is brilliant as usual (I never think I like her illustration style, but I love all the books she illustrates). Highly recommended for K-2.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: 1st-2nd grade
Writing

Beatrice loves to spell but doesn't get the same enthusiastic interest from her friends. With persistence and a unique appeal to her friends, her friends catch the spelling bug. There were snippets of spelling lessons throughout such as the silent 'e,' combining words, and imagining the word in your head before spelling it out.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I thought I would. My first grader is learning how to spell and he's always challenging himself to spell new word for objects in his sights. I think this is a great book to encourage that kind of behavior. I also love the concept of a "show and spell" as well the use of the word "lulu" throughout the story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I didn't think I was going to like this story when I saw it (I know, judging a book by its cover is a big no-no.) This story was really fun and I like that Beatrice enjoyed something 'smart' and was determined to share that love with her classmates. I like that she didn't give up and she was clever. And it worked!

[Amanda Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, quirky little story. I think this might touch on dyslexia a bit with the character's initial inability to spell words in sequential order. The heroine of the story, little Beatrice, is an unexpected treat, with her obsession with spelling, her pet tarantula named Rose and her eccentric aunt. Really enjoyed reading this and the illustrations are also cute and quirky.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was the kid in my elementary school class who loved to spell, so I could totally relate to Beatrice. I love her evolution from struggling to spell her own name to falling in love with words. I would love to see the concept of "show and spell" implemented in a classroom, or even a story time.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't spell "Rebecca" until I was, like, ten -- which is the real reason why I almost always go by Becky. Of course a kindergartener wouldn't be able to spell "Beatrice." (At least, I wouldn't.)

[Amy Lafleur Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice struggles to spell her own name until Nanny Bea teaches her about letters and words. Suddenly Beatrice loves spelling, but the question is can she help the other kids like it? Adorable book!

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about a little girl becoming a lover of spelling. Beatrice has great conversations with her grandmother, and spreads the love of spelling to all her classmates as well.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spelling nerds will like this book about a girl who, once she learns to spell, is off and running. Teachers might also find it useful to use with their students to get them excited about spelling.

[Serina · Rating 1 out of 5]

girl learns to write and enjoys it. Pictures really dated book and felt like a book from the 40/50s.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute enough. I would definitely use this as a read aloud to 1st or 2nd graders. old fashioned style pictures, but entertaining enough.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gently odd, Beatrice is a cool little book about the unexpected values of spelling.

Veg*n parents note: A pet store that sells live animals makes an appearance twice in the book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting "old-fashioned" illustrations, a little didactic for me

[Nativida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the expression "lulu"(much like doozy).

Beatrice loves spelling and shares a special connection with her grandma.

[Madison Stockton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome because it incorporates spelling into a really cute and feel-good story. It will get kids excited about spelling, and it also encourages good family relationships!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book on spelling for older readers and the art just makes the story even more fun.