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Nonfiction Nuggets

Nourishing minds one book at a time

Verbs: A Deep Dive

Thoughtful verb choice can elevate writing and speech from the mundane to powerful and unforgettable. These books range from introducing verbs in their simplest form for the youngest learners to exploring how we can polish our verb use, so ensuring that our writing packs a punch. 

Click here to discover more books about the parts of speech.

A Backpack Full of Verbs
Book cover for A Backpack Full of Verbs by Bette Ann Blaisdell

by Bette Ann Blaisdell

Review: A fun introduction to verbs, this colourful book helps children to play with language. It begins with a simple explanation of doing and linking verbs. Thereafter, each chapter features two pages that focus on a different theme. Packed full of photographs, young readers discover all sorts of verbs associated with cookery or dancing or the classroom, for example. From croaking frogs to shimmying on the dance floor to sauteeing vegetables, A Backpack Full of Verbs simultaneously develops readers’ vocabulary and understanding of verbs. An inviting introduction.

Suggested Reading Age: 4 to 8 years old. In my opinion, this is better suited to the younger end of this age bracket.

Verbs Say Go
Book cover for Verbs Say Go by Michael Dahl (Author), Maira Kistemann Chiodi (Illustrator)

by Michael Dahl (Author), Maira Kistemann Chiodi (Illustrator)

Review: One of a series, Verbs Say Go provides readers with a light-hearted introduction to verbs. Young learners will enjoy looking at the little green characters as they get up to all manner of verb-related antics. The book looks at action verbs, helping verbs, linking verbs and state-of-being verbs. In addition, it also introduces the concept of verb tenses and looks at verbs in sentences. Short and sweet (it is 32 pages long), this is a perfect non-threatening introduction to this crucial part of speech. 

Suggested Reading Age: 5 – 8 years.

If You Were A Verb
Book cover for If You Were A Verb by Michael Dahl  (Author), Sara Jean Gray (Illustrator)

by Michael Dahl (Author), Sara Jean Gray (Illustrator)

Review: Readers will instantly be drawn to this book’s whimsical front cover and colourful illustrations. If You Were A Verb provides a concise, bite-sized introduction to verbs. Michael Dahl’s text and Sara Gray’s illustrations cleverly demonstrate the importance of verbs. Dahl explains, for example, that a verb is in every sentence, book or letter ever written. Types of verbs, such as helping verbs, linking verbs or states-of-being verbs are introduced using multiple examples. This is further extended by touching upon tenses and subject-verb agreement. A “Fun With Verbs” page at the back of the book encourages its readers to play verb charades. First published in 2006, If You Were A Verb continues to be an appealing read and is worth including in a language study. 

Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 10 years old. I feel that this will be most appealing to the younger end of this age bracket. The introduction of subject-verb agreement, however, would make it a good revision tool for 9 and 10-year-old readers. 

Hot Fudge Monday
Book cover for Hot Fudge Monday by Randy Larson (Author), Judith Ann Larson (Illustrator)

by Randy Larson (Author), Judith Ann Larson (Illustrator)

Review: Hot Fudge Monday is bursting with appealing tasks and activities that make learning about the parts of speech fun. Beginning with verbs, each section introduces the relevant part of speech before diving into the tasks. From imagining you are a coke can telling your psychologist how life has left you crushed ( remember to use vivid verbs!) to using verbs that personify, these tasks engage the reader. This book is perfect to supplement lessons. Readers and teachers can dip in and out choosing activities that appeal to them or their students. A refreshing change. 

Click here for a preview.

Suggested Reading Age: Grades 7 to 12 (12 – 18 years old). In my opinion, in the case of older readers, this would work best as a revision tool.

Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing
Book cover for Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing by Constance Hale

by Constance Hale

Review: This highly readable book takes an enjoyable look at verbs and their power. Whether exploring a language without verbs or grammar gripes, Constance Hale provides a clear insight into the complexities and oddities of the English language. Chapter titles such as “Predicate Etiquette: Making the back end of a sentence behave” or “I Came,  I Saw, I Conquered: The dynamics of verbs” indicate the tone of the text. A series of appendices at the back further look at problem areas that readers often encounter. Highly recommended for readers looking to empower their writing and further develop their understanding of verbs and their usage. 

Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and adults

Happy Reading!

Other Language Posts You May Enjoy:

English Grammar & All That Jazz

Parts Of Speech

Nouns: A Deep Dive

Collective Nouns

Do YOU know of any engaging books about verbs to add to this list? If so, please leave a recommendation below . 

Posted In: Language & Literacy · Tagged: children's books, grammar, parts of speech, verbs

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