Andrew's Angry Words (Hardcover)

~ D. Lachner (Author), Tjong-King (Illustrator) "When the phone rang, Marion yelled, "I'll get it!..." (more)
Key Phrases: nice words

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Cartoon illustrations done in pen and light watercolor adorn this bland, moralistic picture book. When his older sister accidentally stumbles over him, Andrew releases a flood of angry words. The words escape, touching on a variety of people's lives including a struggling poet, a motorcyclist, a princess on horseback, a dragon, etc. When the words travel across the sea (with Andrew flying after them in an unexplained manner), they come into the hands of what could be a South American woman selling fruit in a market. She bundles them up, throws them in the sea and gives Andrew some "kind and happy...nice words." As Andrew flies home, he shares them with all of the people who had been affected by his outburst. Very didactic, with unexceptional illustrations, this is not a necessary purchase.?Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-7. In this cautionary tale illustrated with cartoonlike watercolors, Andrew's bad mood has a ripple effect on the people around him when his swear words sour his sister first, then a poet, then a princess, and so on. Similar in concept to a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story, Lachner's light fantasy (with dragon and princess characters and Andrew's ability to fly) imparts a moral. In the end, Andrew learns his lesson from a lady who refuses to use the angry words and who gives Andrew a bundle of "kind and happy" words to take home. The story then reverses itself as Andrew's nice words (and pleasant mood) ripple back positively through the characters. A picture book with something thoughtful to say. Kathy Broderick

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South / Night Sky Books (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558584358
• ISBN-13: 978-1558584358
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,373,195 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Words can hurt or heal, December 2, 2001

By	Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Andrew's Angry Words (Paperback)

Few kids' books clearly show the consequences words can have when they are used as weapons. This book is one of them, and does it in style.

Even little kids understand the consequences here, because the ripple effect is illustrated so well. Andrew's older sister ran to answer the phone, tripping Andrew and spilling him and his toys in the process. He then spewed "the angriest bunch of words anyone has ever heard."

As soon as he said them, he wished he had not. But it was too late. Marion got on the phone with Ted, the baker's son, and yelled at him, who yelled out the window and into a room where a poet was working. The poet lost his rhyme, and screamed angry words at a motorcyclist passing by. And so on.

The words went to some fanciful places, including a dragon's breath, but kids get the message: Once spoken, ephemeral though words seem, they have a way of traveling.

The story ends on a happy note, the happiest part of which is that kids finish this book understanding the hurtful potential--and positive power--of words. Alyssa A. Lappen

5.0 out of 5 stars good buy, January 27, 2009

By	Ann - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andrew's Angry Words (Paperback)

Bought this book for my 4-year old son Andrew, because it was on the list of books that supposed to help you control your child's anger. I can't say it had any effect on my son's behavior, but turned out to be an interesting reading for him. He loves to listen to it and is able to re-tell the story by looking at the pictures. Money well spent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, November 16, 2008

By	Y. Grosso (RI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Andrew's Angry Words (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. My 5-year old loves it. It really helps to show children how there words effect others.