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Muddy as a Duck Puddle and Other American Similes

by Ethan Long
32p. 978-0-82342-229-6.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2-4 Lawlor has collected 26 "proverbial comparisons"one for each letter of the alphabetthat are uniquely American. Some may be familiar"Jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"and others perhaps more obscure"Zany as a chigger chased around a stump." Long's digitally rendered cartoon illustrations feature bright, flat colors and help to explain the similes while adding significantly to the humor. Back matter includes detailed notes that provide the place of origin and a clear breakdown of the meaning. Useful as an introduction to colorful language, the book could also serve as a preamble to a unit on the American tall tale and its propensity to exaggerate."Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
"Happy as a clam at high water"; "Red as a gobbler's snout in spring." Twenty-six regional similes, one for each letter of the alphabet, are accompanied by lively cartoon interpretations. Some of the expressions are a bit baffling ("Yellow as a flitter tree that grows beside a honey pond"); luckily, an author's note provides explanations. Bib.

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