The Weighty Word Book

"Each of these twenty-six short stories takes an elaborate, circuitous path that leads to a 'weighty' one-word punch line."--School Library Journal

Parent Council Reviews

Certainly this is a unique way to teach kids the meaning of more complex words—by introducing intricate stories that explain the meaning of each word. From A To Z, readers will be entertained by funny stories that illustrate difficult words such as truculent, xenophobia, laxity, and misdemeanor. 2000, Court Wayne Press, $17.95. Ages 5 to 12. Reviewer: G. Henebry SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

Paul M. Levitt teaches in the department of English at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is also the author of Chin Music: A Novel of the Jazz Age and numerous books for younger readers and scholars.

Douglas A. Burger is associate professor of English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Elissa S. Guralnick is professor of English, College of Music, at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Janet Stevens has written, adapted, or illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, including And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon (Child Magazine Best Children's Book List, 2001), Tops & Bottoms (Disney NAPPA Book from LA Parent), and The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Parents Choice Award).