The Vowel Family: A Tale of Lost Letters [Library Binding]

Sally M. Walker (Author), Kevin Luthardt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Meet an unusual family with some very special children: Alan, Ellen, Iris, Otto, and Ursula. Sometimes they're visited by their very special aunt, Cyndy. As each child is born, the family becomes more complete--and each additional Vowel also makes the text easier to read! Because if you can imagine life without the Vowels, tlkng wld b vr hrd. Rdng wld b pzzlng. Are you ready to play the Vowel game?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

All of the vowels are missing at the begining of this story about Pam Smith and Sam Vowel (introduced as Pm and Sm), who marry on the first page. Soon, Pm and Sm start a family, and each kid, named after a vowel, adds a letter to the family’s language (and to the story’s text). First the twins, Alan and Ellen, bring an A and an E; then Iris, Otto, and Ursula arrive, and sometimes Aunt Cyndy visits, each adding a new letter until the Vowel family can finally speak with the full alphabet. Children are sure to enjoy the goofy story, which lends itself to group decoding as vowels are gradually introduced. Luthardt’s bright illustrations, featuring people with cartoonish balloon heads, ably echo the story’s silliness. This clever approach to learning vowels will prove far more fun than just the basic recitation that’s commonly taught Grades 1-3. --Todd Morning

From the Inside Flap

Here are the Vowels...

There's Alan, Ellen, Iris, Otto, Ursula, and sometimes Aunt Cyndy!

Now imagine life without them...

Tlking wld b vr hrd. Rdng wld b pzzlng.

Can you play the Vowel game?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822579820
• ISBN-13: 978-0822579823
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, needs adult assistance, February 12, 2008

By 

K. T. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Vowel Family: A Tale of Lost Letters (Library Binding)

We bought this book at a local literature festival, where we also had the opportunity to get the book signed by the author and illustrator. It was a great experience for my six-year-old, who didn't know what authors looked like (regular people in glasses, in case you were wondering.) The book is great fun, about a man and woman who marry but don't have any vowels so th cnt cmmnct vr wll. Things improve when allan and ellen are born, and on it goes. There are many clever phrases, and a good mix of simple and complicated words. Adults may be needed to decode the early parts of the book, which my proficient six-year-old reader stumbled on due to lack of vowels. Bright and cute illustrations. Great book, I highly recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Confusing for emerging readers, December 30, 2010

By 

promusician (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Vowel Family: A Tale of Lost Letters (Library Binding)

My daughter's preschool teacher recommended this book but actually I find it to be more confusing than educational. It is NOT a book you would want your child to follow along and trying to make sense of the sentences without the vowels is unnerving. I think it appeals more to adults than actually being educational for young pre- and emerging readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1st grade teacher and they love it!, November 30, 2011

By 

nikly - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Vowel Family: A Tale of Lost Letters (Library Binding)

I have this book for my first grade classroom. They absolutely love it... you just have to put a little energy into reading it as both a story and as merely a learning opportunity. They will learn when you take the time to go "wait a minute! That doesn't sound right, does it?". I definitely wouldn't recommend using this book with kids who are not of reading age since it doesn't make any sense until you can grasp the concept that vowels add to pronunciation and meaning. It can be a fun story if you put that extra effort forth.