How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?: What Are Homonyms and Homophones? (Words Are Categorical) [Paperback]

Brian P. Cleary (Author), Brian Gable (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2007 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Words Are Categorical

This accessible, lighthearted look at language introduces homonyms and homophones. Playful rhymes and comical cartoons make both concepts memorable. Each corresponding pair of homonyms and homophones is printed in color for easy identification. At the end, readers are challenged to apply what they've learned - and they'll have fun doing so.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5–Through rhyming wordplay, Cleary explains two parts of speech that are often difficult to understand. First, he tackles homonyms: ‘May I sail with you in May/and coast all along the coast?'/These words are a blast/if you say them quite fast,/like/‘Why don't we toast/with some toast?' Some examples of the homophones (Mary, merry, marry; Barry, bury, berry) may pose problems for regional dialects. Gable took ample advantage of the pairings to create zany cartoons that provide visual clues for readers. The grouping of each set of homophones and homonyms by color is also a helpful tool. Another fun and effective introduction to the world of grammar.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"...the rhyming storybook form makes a grammar lesson enjoyable." -- The Horn Book Guide

"Another fun and effective introduction to the world of grammar." --School Library Journal --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: First Avenue Editions (September 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822567105
• ISBN-13: 978-0822567103
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Language Arts > Grammar
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Language Arts > General

More About the Author

Brian P. Cleary is the creator of the best-selling Words Are CATegorical® series, now a 16-volume set with more than 2.4 million copies in print. He is also the author of the Math Is CATegorical® series and several single titles including The Laugh Stand: Adventures in Humor and Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What would we teachers do without Cleary and Gable?, August 19, 2005

By 

iTeach "iTeach" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?: What Are Homonyms and Homophones? (Words Are Categorical) (Library Binding)

This book EXPLODES with great word play!! My favorite? "My Niece can see Grease, both in Greece and in Nice, a Czech could be writing a check. A maid could be made to be very afraid if she heard a big herd on the deck."

I've read all the books on homonyms and homophones that are out there, and nothing comes close to this exciting text and those lovable cartoon cats.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Series, December 19, 2005

By 

J. Guibault "Julie and Joe" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?: What Are Homonyms and Homophones? (Words Are Categorical) (Library Binding)

My 6-year-old son loves this book. I would have given this book five stars, but for the typography; the font is a little too wacky for beginning readers.

"How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?" is written in fun and engaging rhyme, with quirky and creative illustrations by Brian Gable. Homonyms and homophones are combined in silly yet perfectly understandable sentences --

A SIOUX might not SUE if he KNEW that the GNU that he bought wasn't NEW like you said.

-- which make this book not only a great teaching tool, but also a very fun read. I'm looking forward to checking out the other titles in this series.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homonyms!, February 18, 2006

By 

TeacherMommy "dhoge_2000" (pearland, texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?: What Are Homonyms and Homophones? (Words Are Categorical) (Library Binding)

Excellent book for all language arts teachers in primary and middle schools (use for review). This is another book in Cleary's series and it gets the job done! Excellent springboard book to focus the students!