Amusing and thought provoking. My 12 yo son and I read this together from the library, and he wouldn't take it back! Gramma bought it for him for his birthday. The authors use many different literary styles, and sneak in lots of education. We have memorized many of the selections. This also stimulated us to continue word play and to write some poetry of our own.

*****
Imagine a book that has a whole collection of fun games that ignite a child's love of language. Imagine a child getting excited about homonyms, and even vowels! (as in "Murder most vowel" - a game you'll want to play along with them). Imagine a compendium of playful ways to exercise your child's language skills (and your own, by the way) through the mental calisthenics and verbal acrobatics presented in this highly imaginative book.

This book will excite a child's mind, and thrill your own, as together you travel on an adventure of discovering the power that lies hidden beneath "ordinary" words. This book excites kids -- of ALL ages. If you don't have any kids whom you can read this with, then have no fear; just tell people it's for a "nephew" or "student" and buy the book for yourself.

I myself am all 'grown up' so I have to read it on the sly when I'm not around actual children, but when I do I can't wait to find some more 'kids' to share it with.

Because it's pure fun, and you don't have any other book like it' yet.

Hirsch's account of growing up German Jewish in England is wonderful - while his story is often laugh out loud funny, it remains a thoughtful exploration of the repercussions of the Holocaust and the pain in growing up with a difficult father. After Hirsch sets out on adulthood, his own story is not as compelling, but his encounters with elderly Holocaust survivors, as well as his attempts to come to terms with his father, are still fascinating.