Suddenly Alligator: Adventures in Adverbs (Language Adventures Book)
Grade 1-4–Once again, Walton presents a story that includes a language lesson. After having worn his socks for three months, a round-headed boy with small ears decides it is time to purchase a new pair. He takes the scenic route to town through the swamp, where he retrieves some lost items and trips over a large-jawed alligator that chases and catches him. When one of the youngster's shoes comes off, the overpowering stench of his sock causes the animal to pass out and the child escapes. The text is replete with adverbs ("steadily," "angrily," "swiftly," etc.), making clear the concept that these descriptive words end in "ly." Bradshaw's zany, exaggerated cartoons are humorous and dynamic. The characters' heads are large and their bodies ridiculously small. The artist makes effective use of perspective and close-ups to show intense emotion and activity. This would be a useful read-aloud when introducing a unit on the parts of speech.–Linda Staskus, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.