Customer Reviews

Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures

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REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker

Bubba the dog is attending his first day at doggie day camp, but he is shy. However, he slowly becomes interested and makes new friends as he engages in the various activities. In addition, he helps to teach readers (or listeners) about verbs and adverbs as well. This book is one of the pet grammar parade series. What a unique idea! As a book reviewer who has had to wade through some really bad grammar because many authors (and apparently some editors) do not know the ins and outs of the English language, I firmly believe that children need to be taught proper English grammar.

Studies show that beginning formal grammar studies for students under third or fourth grade can be counterproductive, but grammar concepts can still be gradually introduced to younger children if done gently, and story books such as this are a wonderful way to do so. There is an introduction that explains what verbs and adverbs are. At the end, there is a study guide that gives further information about verbs and adverbs and contains several fun activities for children that will help to reinforce what they have learned. I would hope that books like this will find a ready audience. They are sorely needed! I really like this idea.

Here's a fun and informative new book from children's author Cynthia Reeg that offers a new take on the first-day-of-school theme. Bubba is a cuddly puppy facing his first day at doggie day camp, and he is worried. But, just like a child who faces his first day of school or daycare, Bubba noses around the premises, has some fun, and it isn't long before he makes new friends. By the time his owner returns for him later that day, Bubba is sad to say goodbye to all his doggie pals.

But the storyline (and charming illustrations by Kit Grady) is only part of what makes this book so cute and unique. Doggie Day Camp also serves as a way to introduce young readers to verbs and adverbs in a fun and engaging way. Before the story starts, Reeg provides the definitions for the words "verb" and "adverb." She also sets up a color code that continues throughout the book. Every verb in the book is printed in dark blue, while every adverb in the book is printed in red ink making the verbs and adverbs easy for young readers to recognize and classify.

The book ends with a short study guide and a variety of word games based on adverbs and verbs, including a word scramble, crossword puzzle, word search, etc. This is another educational book in the Pet Grammar Parade Series from Guardian Angel Publishers and it is sure to be a hit in preschool and elementary school classrooms as well as with homeschoolers. It could even be used with older students who need a bit of extra help learning the difference between verbs and adverbs. Once they get the hang of adverbs and verbs in Doggie Day Camp, they could write their own short story and color code the adverbs and verbs, too. Doesn't that sound like fun?

This book is a perfect choice for anyone teaching language use to young readers. The engaging story draws young readers in and holds their attention, all the while teaching them valuable lessons about appropriate word usage. The fanciful illustrations will endear Bubba to the hearts of all picture book lovers. This is a must for teachers and parents hoping to infuse early literacy lessons into playtime!

-Heather Lash
Education Editor