The Wonderful World of Words
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
Words can spark curiosity, encourage play, and open doors to endless adventures. They carry the stories of their origins, shaping how we think, communicate, and connect, and can join together in surprising ways to create new meanings and ideas. These three engaging titles from our August Hot Off the Press list invite us to move, imagine, and explore the world through the use of vibrant and inspiring language.
The Compound Noun Treasure Hunt, by Kimberlee Gard; illustrated by Sandie Sonke (Familius) — Concepts, Animals, Imagination / Play, Humor, ages 4-6.
It all started when Bulldog found a mysterious piece of paper. “It must be a treasure map. And it must lead to gold!”
With Dragonfly by his side, the hunt begins—but the real treasure isn’t what they expect. As they explore, they uncover the magic of compound nouns: mailbox, backpack, jellyfish, and more!The Compound Noun Treasure Hunt is a delightful romp through language, filled with clever wordplay, adorable characters, and a surprise ending that will leave readers giggling. This newest addition to the Language Is Fun! series helps children understand how compound words work while celebrating curiosity, teamwork, and discovery. Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and bedtime reading, it’s a must-have for young word explorers.
Star Sailor, The Story of Words, by Sara Cassidy; illustrated by Julie McLaughlin (Orca Book Publishers) — Concepts, History, Facts / Trivia, ages 4-6.
Humans need words to communicate, whether they are spoken, written, signed or even sung. But what exactly is a word? And why does the way we use words continue to change?The English language has morphed, melted and remade itself since its beginning. From imitating the sounds of the world to squishing two words together to describe something unique, words on their own and strung together are capable of expressing many meanings. Star Sailor, The Story of Words ventures into the history of how language came to be and explores the ways words reveal a whole new impression of the world around us.
Taro Gomi’s Big Book of Verbs, written & illustrated by Taro Gomi (Chronicle Books) — Concepts, Places / Travel, BIPOC Characters and Creators, How-to / Activity, ages 4-6.
Learn all kinds of playful action words—verbs!—with the help of bestselling author-illustrator Taro Gomi!
In Taro Gomi’s inimitable world, every scene brims with energy. From a bustling marketplace to a lively school to a dazzling amusement park, each illustration is filled with action. How many characters can you spot:
- Running, riding, or climbing
- Looking, choosing, or eating
- Sleeping, screaming, or reading
- Bumping, twirling, or chatting
- And, of course, laughing?
Just as in Taro Gomi’s Big Book of Words, toddlers are introduced to words—this time in verb form—in unforgettable ways. Open the pages of this book to read, play, and learn!
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full August Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident children’s book aficionado, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight booklists on our blog.
