Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms [Paperback]

Marvin Terban (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006 | Age Range: 8 and up

If you think idioms are a "tough nut to crack," pick up the revised SCHOLASTIC DICTIONARY OF IDIOMS. Fun new design and more than 700 common American phrases, sayings, and expressions.

Cat got your tongue? Penny for your thoughts? Come again? Every day, idioms bring color to our speech. Since they don't really mean what they say, idioms can stump even the native English-speaker. Marvin Terban makes understanding idioms "as easy as pie" with the revised SCHOLASTIC DICTIONARY OF IDIOMS. Explanations for, and origins of, more than 700 everyday American idioms, complete with kid-friendly sample sentences. The entries are amusing as well as educational. Alphabetical listing and cross-referencing index makes finding idioms a "piece of cake."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Terban explains the meanings and origins (if known) of more than 600 idioms and proverbs in this intriguing book." (Booklist, March 15,1996)

"Reference tools may be a dime a dozen in this dog-eat-dog world, but here's a soup-to-nuts dictionary of colloquialisms that doesn't beat around the bush...an appealing browse as well as useful (and perhaps unique) resource for kids baffled by the intricacies of the English language." (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July/August 1996)

"From 'ace up your sleeve' to 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' this introduction to idiomatic phrases, sayings, and expressions is clear and easy to use." (School Library Journal, May 1996)

About the Author

Marvin Terban is a bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books for children, most of them about the English language. Called a "master of wordplay" by the American Library Association's Booklist and "Mr. English for Kids" by the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club, Marvin is truly an expert on teaching the art of language. For over 40 years, Marvin has taught English, Latin, Public Speaking, Theater, and other subjects at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference; Revised edition (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439770831
• ISBN-13: 978-0439770835
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries
  • #51 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Language Arts

More About the Author

Marvin Terban's popular wordplay books for Clarion include IN A PICKLE AND OTHER FUNNY IDIOMS and TOO HOT TO HOOT: FUNNY PALINDROME RIDDLES. He lives in New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! January 15, 2007

By Reader and

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was recommended to me by another mom whose child also has Asperger's Syndrome. These kids just don't get idioms or nuances of the spoken language among other things. This is a well-written, fun book for ALL kids. My two sons(11 and 9 years) LOVE having me read several of the idioms each night. It is a ritual at this point! I read them the idiom and the sentence and they try to guess the meaning. The definitions and history are really fun and fascinating. I recommend this book to all kids!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend this book!!! September 30, 2007

By Lee Min Young

Format:Paperback

I really would LOVE to recommend this book for all of people who are learning English as a second language and hope to know English idioms. I am from Korea, but now I am staying in N.C. to learn English. I was looking for some books that could helps me to understand the meaning of idioms because sometimes it was too difficult for me to figure out what they mean. This book has more than 700 idioms with examples, meanings and origins. The origins help me to remember the idioms easier. After I read some, I finally understand why people use idioms in particular situations and I feel like I will never forget them. It may not really helpful for academic courses or daily conversation, but it is easy to read anytime and it is good for FUN! Unless I am older than twenty, this book is fun enough! And especially, this is cheaper than others. So, I'd like to say just buy and read. I am 99% sure that buying this book is going to be a good choice!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! June 26, 2007

By Jennifer L. Pester

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I teach fifth grade in a school with a high level of English Language Learners. We learned an idiom each week and this book gives the origin of the idiom, which is what really hooked my students to learning about them. I have bought 3 of these books now for fellow teachers!