Customer Reviews

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference!

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are tired of explaining and re-explaining the importance of punctuation in writing, then this is the book for you. I originally purchased the "adult" version of this book, and while it is very clever, it is not appropriate for my students. This book, however, is perfect for my learning disabled 7th graders. Lynne Truss makes it quite clear why teachers are so picky about commas--they totally change the meaning of the sentence. The pictures help make it even more obvious that to get across the exact message, the writer must watch punctuation marks. The probably crude "gas sentence" is especially appealing to 7th grade boys. As a middle school teacher, I am no longer shocked or upset by crude pictures, statements, writing. It comes with the age group.

The endnotes that explain the rule for each picture add to the educational content.

This is another purchase I made over the summer--see "This is the Teacher"--that will be used and enjoyed by my middle school students. Nowadays students want to be entertained at school. Children will easily be entertained while learning the rules of grammar.

I just bought this book for my eight-year-old granddaughter, but I think I laughed about as much as she did. The artist's drawings are clever and funny, and illustrate a simple sentence to show what happens when a comma moves or isn't used properly. The book also has short explanations at the back of the book in case you're not, as I am not, an expert at punctuation rules and grammar. I hope Truss and Timmons explain a great deal more of grammar. They made commas great fun for my granddaughter--and for me!

Based upon the much longer "adult" book by the same name, EATS, SHOOTS & LEAVES takes a cue from its progenitor and attempts to illustrate to kids the importance of commas and using them properly. The book has a series of illustrations accompanying each of the sentences to vividly display the different meanings in the sentences because of the commas. For instance, one of the sentences says, "Eat here, and get gas" and is accompanied by an illustration of a gas and food place. The next page says, "Eat here and get gas" and shows a scene in a restaurant with a person flying in the air because of a belch. The comparison might seem crude for older readers, but for children and juveniles it makes the point quite clear. At the end of the book there are two pages explaining the differences between each of the sentences and why the comma placement is so important. Overall, this is a great book to illustrate "why, commas really do make a difference." It's geared more towards children in Pre-K--5th grades, but from experience I know that it could be very useful as a tool in some middle school and even high school English language arts classes.

I ordered this book thinking it might be too young for my 9-year-old daughter. However, when it arrived it was pored over by not only my 9-year-old, but her 13-year-old brother as well. The copy I sent to my sister's children (ages 5 and 7) was also well-received.

I recommend this book as a fun tool to teach and to re-enforce proper comma usage. It is a subtle and pain-free way to influence your child's writing skills for good. Buy the book. You won't regret it.

This book is an absolute must for every one no matter what their age. It shows you just how ridiculous, hilarious or frightening it can be when you use incorrect punctuation. I bought the children's version for my grandchildren and the original version for my daughter who is an English teacher.
Ms. Truss writes in an entertaining fashion and gets her point across. The reading moves along quickly.

My 9 year old thinks this book is hysterical. It would have been better if there were more to it for the price, but it's still worth buying!

In the illustrated version of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Lynne Truss shows how the placement of a comma can change the meaning of a sentence. Hilarious illustrations, great for showing kids the importance of punctuation and fun for adults!

This version of the book is intended for kids, but adults love it, too! I bought several copies to give as gifts for friends who teach english as a second or foreign language for adults. Its a fun way to illustrate the dramatic difference that a humble little comma can make. And, its especially effective for readers new to english.

Who knew that grammar lessons could be so much fun - and so funny? Well, Lynne Truss, of course, and she took her knowledge to international bestseller lists when she wrote the adult grammar guide, Eats, Shoots, & Leaves. With that kind of track record, it's no surprise that the enterprising folk over at GP Putnam's Sons decided to adapt Truss' work for children. The result is a delightful little picture book that visually demonstrates the confusion that misplaced commas can create. Aided by Bonnie Timmons clever illustrations, this is one that parents and kids alike will enjoy - and learn from.
The book begins with the classic panda joke that launched the whole phenomenon, and no I won't repeat that joke here. Suffice it to say that it involves a panda, a librarian, and a few poorly placed commas in a reference book. From there, each two-page spread delivers a sentence whose meaning is radically changed by the placement of the commas within it. The left side of the spread shows the correct meaning, the right page shows the mixed-up meaning, often with grin-inducing style.
For instance, the sentence "Eat here, and get gas" shows a line of people filling up their cars with gasoline at a combination gas station and fast-food restaurant...but "Eat here ad get gas" shows patrons at a restaurant with, umm, shall we say intestinal stress.
Or, the sentence "Becky walked on, her head a little higher than usual," shows a young girl walking proudly away from a fine sand castle on the beach. However, the sentence, "Becky walked on her head, a little higher than usual," shows well, Becky walking on her head.
You can imagine the fun and silly moments the rest of this book includes in its demonstrations of comma usage for children! The last few pages review all the sentences in the book and give short, insightful explanations of the grammar rules that govern commas.
In all, Truss and Timmons have created a delightful resource and entertaining picture book suited for any inquisitive mind in your household. In fact, you may want to hide a copy of this book at your office...just in case!
BOOKBLOG RATING: A
--MN

As a teacher and mother of 7-year-old twins, I found this book right on target! I have a daily calendar of "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" quips, and the girls are happy to be able to get an age-specific taste of why Mommy is a punctuation stickler. They have read through the book several times, and they have each taken time to show me their favorite pages, explaining to me why the comma made such a difference.

Those who think this would only be for ages 4-6 are obviously not teaching 7 and 8-year-olds how to write and use punctuation correctly. If I were teaching middle school now, as I did previously, I would definitely use this book to make a point to students. I think it would bring a chuckle and make this "comma thing" more concrete. (I can see middle school boys in particular getting quite a kick out of "Eat here and get gas.)

Three cheers for Lynn Truss and Bonnie Timmons!