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erikatovi's review against another edition
4.0
A lighthearted story told from an unexpected perspective. While I liked following the course of Calvin’s day as narrated by a dictionary, in the end, I’m unsure what the takeaway of the book is—the importance of education, family, or both? Nevertheless, children will laugh and enjoy learning impressive vocabulary.
inkygirl's review against another edition
5.0
As a word nerd, I *love* that the narrator of this book is a DICTIONARY! Such a fun story and I adore the illustrations by Mike Deas.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
I love books that assume that kids want to learn new, longer, more descriptive words. This book tells the story of a younger brother trying to come up with a word to describe how he feels about his brother making him laugh just as his mouth is full of milk.
The story is essentially told from the point of view of the dictionary, by the way.
(I would have thought Calvin would have consulted a thesaurus instead of a dictionary, but it still all works)
So, while Calvin searches for just for the right word, the picture book illustrates the words he finds, but doesn't want to use. Or rather, the dictionary finds.
A cute story of love of language, and love for siblings, even if they do want to make you laugh so hard milk comes out of your nose.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The story is essentially told from the point of view of the dictionary, by the way.
(I would have thought Calvin would have consulted a thesaurus instead of a dictionary, but it still all works)
So, while Calvin searches for just for the right word, the picture book illustrates the words he finds, but doesn't want to use. Or rather, the dictionary finds.
A cute story of love of language, and love for siblings, even if they do want to make you laugh so hard milk comes out of your nose.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
4.0
Calvin's pal (a dictionary) uses fun vocabulary to describe his day of pondering the perfect word for his jokester brother. Loads of fun, with action-packed and sometimes gross illustrations.
nicalyse's review against another edition
4.0
Charming illustrations and a wonderful celebration of beautiful words. This could easily be included in a classroom library or as a mentor text for a unit on word choice (with built-in vocabulary).
graypeape's review against another edition
5.0
A cute story of a boy and his dictionary. Calvin carries his dictionary (the narrator of the story) with him always, trying to find the right word to describe his brother. Each illustration spread takes us through a possible word, with lots if detail and action to keep the reader busy, but none of the words feels quite right. Finally one night, Calvin sneaks into his brother's room, to share the perfect word with him. Really fun and sweet!
#CalvinGetstheLastWord #NetGalley
#CalvinGetstheLastWord #NetGalley
katieritoch's review against another edition
4.0
Calvin Gets the Last Word is one of the cutest books I have read all year. This story is told from the point of view of Calvin's dictionary (which he can not get enough of). The book goes through to show evidence of them being tired and of course sneaks in some fun vocabulary words. The ending is sweet and this book would make for a good read aloud in younger grades.
raoionna's review against another edition
4.0
This book must have been queued up before the pandemic, but will certainly be helpful to families now. It's about emotions and reactions, and would be ideal for families learning to live through the uncertainty of today. The text and images are equally well done. Really solid book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
Calvin's older brother tells a funny joke right when Calvin takes a drink of milk, making Calvin squirt milk out of his nose at the family breakfast table. Calvin searches the dictionary for the perfect words to describe his annoying brother and plots a way to get his revenge.
I'm confused about the messages in this book. One minute Calvin is standing up to bullies who took a child's pencil case, not allowing them to tease a younger child. The next minute Calvin is pranking his older brother by dumping an entire cup of water on his head while his brother is sitting in bed reading. How is that any different than the bully who pranked the other kid by taking their pencil case? And then the two brothers laugh about it and sit on the wet bed looking up the word "Family" in the dictionary. And who is gonna get out dry pajamas for the brother, and change those sheets, and dry out that mattress? What a mean prank to sneak up behind someone and dump a glass of water on their head! It's way too destructive. I think it is supposed to come across as mischievous, but it is more malicious.
I don't understand this morality at all. Isn't "revenge" generally considered to be an evil thing? Why is it being applauded in a children's book? Maybe I'm taking it too seriously. Maybe I just don't understand the humor of this author. But it rubbed me the wrong way. I wouldn't want a child of mine learning to do nasty pranks like this to their siblings.
I like the concept of a kid who loves to learn new words and uses his large vocabulary to describe his world. I was a child who loved words and had a large vocabulary, so I identified strongly with the main character.
I LOVED the illustrations in this book! The art style is clean and fresh with beautiful colors. Each scene is interesting and funny, and adds a whole new layer to the story. Each page is full of energy and movement. The art is truly delightful from start to finish!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I'm confused about the messages in this book. One minute Calvin is standing up to bullies who took a child's pencil case, not allowing them to tease a younger child. The next minute Calvin is pranking his older brother by dumping an entire cup of water on his head while his brother is sitting in bed reading. How is that any different than the bully who pranked the other kid by taking their pencil case? And then the two brothers laugh about it and sit on the wet bed looking up the word "Family" in the dictionary. And who is gonna get out dry pajamas for the brother, and change those sheets, and dry out that mattress? What a mean prank to sneak up behind someone and dump a glass of water on their head! It's way too destructive. I think it is supposed to come across as mischievous, but it is more malicious.
I don't understand this morality at all. Isn't "revenge" generally considered to be an evil thing? Why is it being applauded in a children's book? Maybe I'm taking it too seriously. Maybe I just don't understand the humor of this author. But it rubbed me the wrong way. I wouldn't want a child of mine learning to do nasty pranks like this to their siblings.
I like the concept of a kid who loves to learn new words and uses his large vocabulary to describe his world. I was a child who loved words and had a large vocabulary, so I identified strongly with the main character.
I LOVED the illustrations in this book! The art style is clean and fresh with beautiful colors. Each scene is interesting and funny, and adds a whole new layer to the story. Each page is full of energy and movement. The art is truly delightful from start to finish!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
nobookendinsight's review against another edition
3.0
Calvin Gets the Last Word has a great concept, I love that it is told from the perspective of the dictionary. I appreciate the introduction of vocabulary words. However, I believe it could be developed a little more. More introduction to the family and brother at the beginning, more connectivity between each scene, and more context clues for the new vocab words, and this book would be a hit. Thanks to the publisher, Tilbury House, and NetGalley for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
#calvingetsthelastword #netgalley
#calvingetsthelastword #netgalley