Scholastic Dictionary Of Idioms [Paperback]

Marvin Terban (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

This guide to idioms provides the student with an opportunity to bring color to their speech every day. Included are idioms from Native American and African American speech as well as the Bible, Aesop, and Shakespeare.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Humor and illustrations add spice to over 600 definitions and origins of common idiomatic phrases. Not to let the cat out of the bag, but this one's it's a barrel of monkeys. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Terban explains the meanings and origins (if known) of more than 600 idioms and proverbs in this intriguing book. Although no sources are provided, Terban has obviously done a great deal of research. In some cases, such as "open a can of worms," he discusses the meaning of an idiom without really explaining its origin and bizarre originality. In others, like "face the music," he provides more than one possible explanation. Each page includes one lightly comical line drawing of a child expressing feelings such as quizzical, annoyed, amused, or distressed. Not only is this a good resource for teachers who discuss idioms in the classroom but it also has some appeal for browsers, though readers who come looking for the logic behind the English language may leave thinking it "curiouser and curiouser." Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590381571
• ISBN-13: 978-0590381574
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece!, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Scholastic Dictionary Of Idioms (Paperback)

Finally, a book that explains idioms in a way my son can understand-clearly and unambiguously. Because he has an autistic spectrum disorder, he tends to be very literal. He has read this book from cover to cover and is starting to incorporate idioms, usually correctly, into conversation. In addition, the author presents the history (if known) of each idiom, something children(mine) who enjoy factoids love.

This book should be required reading for speech therapists, teachers, the language-delayed, and those learning English as a second language.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to aid kids understand grown-up talk!, January 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms (Library Binding)

My husband and I often unconsciously speak in idioms to our kids. Now, when we say things like "don't burn your bridges"; "I'm tickled pink"; or "snug as a bug in a rug", and the kids can find out what we are talking about!

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LUV THIS BOOK!!!!, January 25, 2002

By 

Daisy Hunt (**hugging Marik.** Just kidding.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scholastic Dictionary Of Idioms (Paperback)

Back in around 97 or 98, I was crazy about these two guys in a movie and started setting up funny situations in a roleplay where one guy would use idioms and the other would take them all literally. I was sooo happy to find this book to use as an idiom reference!!! I tried a couple of other idiom books, but this one is by far the best! ^_^ So warm and friendly, and I luv the cartoon kids who host the thing :) I am totally hooked on this book! ^_^ Buy it, BUY IT!!!