Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What are Comparatives and Superlatives?

Written by  Brian P. Cleary

Illustrated by Brian Gable

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“’Tall’ is a describing word, and taller is comparative.  Tallest is superlative.  You following my narrative?”  An enterprising teacher can turn the text of this book into a rap that is sure to not only grab children’s attention, but to stay with them so that they catch themselves rapping about comparatives and superlatives on their morning drive into work….at age thirty.  The illustrations are beyond cute and give an added ‘BOOM’ to the text.

While the title may imply that this is just an informational text with cute illustrations to appeal to third grade children, it is actually much more.  The sing-song rhyming text makes this book so much fun to read.  Students get an advanced lesson on rhyming, a step up from cat and hat to cheesiest and queasiest.   The words comparative and superlative are repeated so many times throughout the book so that comprehension of these concepts happens almost without the child’s realization.  Not only is this book a joy to read, it can serve as a classroom resource that children will enjoy.

“But sometimes, you don’t add e-r.  Instead, you reach for “more,” as in more tired…”.  More and words like good that have a total change for its comparative and superlative forms fit right in to the rhyming good time that children will have when reading this book.

The text is wacky and fun.  Very few lines run in a flat line and the font has different sized letters.  This might prove a little distracting to a new or struggling reader.  However, when used in a guided reading setting, a child’s reading skills could definitely be improved.  This book rates two thumbs up and is a definite must for any upper elementary classroom library.

Fun activities, games, interactive books and more can be found at www.brianpcleary.com .

  • BreezierTitle:  Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest What are Comparatives and Superlatives?
  • Author:  Brian P. Cleary
  • Illustrator:  Brian Gable
  • Publisher:   Millbrook Press
  • Reviewer:  Sandi Waymire
  • Hardcover:  31 pages
  • ISBN: 978-0-7613-5362-1
  • Genre:  nonfiction – language

 

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