This story seemed like it would be about dictionaries and their use through the eyes of an avid fan, though I think the idea became bogged down in adhering to the format. It can off a little flat. I like the concept, but I wish that it wouldn't come out differently.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this one. The story was cute and the characters were fun. Loved the illustrations.

My kids and I have enjoyed this book! The illustrations are fun and the message is cute. We look forward to getting a hard copy!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book! My first thoughts are that this children’s book is nicely illustrated, I think the colors and design are quite appealing. I also like the educational nature of the book, while also retaining that entertaining and fun element for attention keeping.

A cute story of a boy and his dictionary. Calvin carries his dictionary (the narrator of the story) with him always, trying to find the right word to describe his brother. Each illustration spread takes us through a possible word, with lots if detail and action to keep the reader busy, but none of the words feels quite right. Finally one night, Calvin sneaks into his brother's room, to share the perfect word with him. Really fun and sweet!

#CalvinGetstheLastWord #NetGalley

Calvin loves words. Really loves words. So much so, that Calvin, a young elementary school student, carries an encyclopedia around with him wherever he goes. Calvin wants the right word for things. He can find that right word in his dictionary ... for most things. But he can't quite figure out the right word for his rascally brother who makes him snort milk out his nose and maybe picks on him at times. But at home at night. with the two of them laughing over a prank Calvin manages to pull on his brother, the right word comes to him.

The book definitely has a cute theme and ends on the appropriately touching note, but for the most part, I really didn't find this very enjoyable.

The familial relationship between the brothers is definitely honest and true. I really like how this captures a child's life with siblings.

But the book is also teaching the reader/listener new words. These words are bold and in color, so we know these are the words to learn with the book. And these words are: Revenge, Mayhem, Bewilderment, Subterfuge, Courageous, Pulverize, Retaliation, Slumber, Prank, and Hilarity. Really? Six of the ten words are aggressive - typically toward another person. Are these really the words to be teaching young readers? They'll grow to know them, but I don't think I agree that these are the lessons to teach in a picture book.

And honestly, I was a little disheartened at the two-page spread (this is only a 30 page book) of the school bus. Using the chaos on the bus ("everyone is pushing and hollering and shouting, running up and down the aisle, throwing backpacks") for the word "mayhem" might be appropriate for the word, and while it's been a few years since my kids were school bus age, I know that in our area at least there has been a concentrated effort to not have mayhem on a bus for safety reasons. Running up and down the aisles on a moving bus? Is that still allowed? Could we not have had mayhem on a playground?

What rescues this book, somewhat, for me are the pictures. Mike Deas' art is perfect for this type of picture book. It is realistic but whimsical and actually manages to tone down the aggressiveness of the story. I love the cutaway view of the house at night. I could easily see my kids - pre-reading age - thumbing through this just for the art.

But if I was in a bookstore, looking for a new picture book to buy for my family, or for friends with children, being a lover of words, I would probably pick this up, give it a read, then put it back on the shelf and look for something else.

Looking for a good book? Calvin Gets the Last Word by Margo Sorenson, with art by Mike Deas, is a picture book that maybe unintentionally gives some inappropriate consideration to aggressive behaviors.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

We don't often get picture books that have a focus on vocabulary building beyond simple words. This one has three and four syllable words, one on every page. Calvin sets out in search of such words, along thew way learning words for a lot of different concepts and emotions. Cut and with some educational value.

I love how this book is unique and told from the dictionary's perspective. The pages are all tattered and have things spilled on them, but that's because Calvin uses his dictionary all the time for different words and situations. I love how this book introduces new words to kids that they probably haven't used before, and gets kids thinking about what other words there may be out there yet to discover in a dictionary.

Calvin is a likable young boy who loves words. He is always in search of the perfect word. However, he can't find the right word for his brother.

Calvin Gets the Last Word is a wonderful book that my students really loved. They thought the use of onomatopoeia and some of the new vocabulary words were very inventive; they also thought the humour with the different situations that Calvin finds himself in added to the overall joy of the story. All the great words used as Calvin searched for the perfect word to describe his brother led to a discussion on editing and picking new and 'juicy' words in their own writing. I will definitely be picking this book up to use as a mentor text on choosing great words and to read for pure enjoyment.

Building Vocabulary, From a Dictionary’s Viewpoint

Calvin loves words, so much so that he carries a small dictionary around with him everywhere, reading it constantly. The book is told from the dictionary's perspective, which I thought was fun. Throughout the day, certain events seem to land Calvin on a page with a word that relates to it, though I thought the author could have given a little better context for the words, as sometimes it felt like she was reaching a bit. Throughout this day, Calvin is trying to figure out the best word for his brother, who annoys him by telling jokes while Calvin is eating or drinking, making Calvin do a spit take. The final word that the dictionary(?) chose for his brother was a little disappointing, though the book did end on a better one. Even though this is a picture book, I felt it needed a little more development to really make it sing. I do love that it focuses on words and building vocabulary. If it inspires a child to do that, that would be a good thing!

‘This great little book is one that will entertain the little ones, teach them a few big words and a sweet message to boot.

Loved this funny book about 2 brothers & ones love for the dictionary! Filled with such cute illustrations throughout & the chance to learn new words that we may not use on the daily. Not only was it a fun book about brothers & how they get along but it was also educational in setting up a foundation for expanding you littles vocabulary. As a mom of two boys this would be a perfect book to add to our library!

Calvin Gets the Last Word has a great concept, I love that it is told from the perspective of the dictionary. I appreciate the introduction of vocabulary words. However, I believe it could be developed a little more. More introduction to the family and brother at the beginning, more connectivity between each scene, and more context clues for the new vocab words, and this book would be a hit. Thanks to the publisher, Tilbury House, and NetGalley for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
#calvingetsthelastword #netgalley

Calvin Gets the Last Word is one of the cutest books I have read all year. This story is told from the point of view of Calvin's dictionary (which he can not get enough of). The book goes through to show evidence of them being tired and of course sneaks in some fun vocabulary words. The ending is sweet and this book would make for a good read aloud in younger grades.

What a cute concept. Loved that the story was from the point of view of the book (the dictionary). Great way to introduce and explain words. I would change a little the introduction to the brother and the word Calvin finally figured out for him. I didn't think that was a great introduction to what the story was about or getting to. It confused my kid a little too. But overall lovely.

I received an electronic ARC from Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC through NetGalley.
Calvin brings his dictionary everywhere with him. It's pretty beaten up from being on the spot when the action happens. So, the dictionary is telling its story for the readers. Sorenson slips in a new word and definition on almost every spread. Readers see the definitions in action through the illustrations and text. Great way to slip in new vocabulary. Love the ending after the pranks and jokes. The two brothers connect and spend time together as family. Fun read aloud for families or classes.

This was cute and I liked the message it had. I also really liked the illustrations. They represented the story very well.

Obviously, I am not the targeted audience but I can still enjoy a quick and cute story.

Calvin loves words. He seeks to find the right word for every situation. We laugh as we read this story and we learn what unfamiliar words mean by the context into which they are put. This has a wry voice that will evoke laughter. The last page has a just right twist.

Calvin’s brother is constantly pranking him, telling jokes while Calvin is eating or drinking so he spurts things out of his mouth or nose. With his trusty dictionary always with him, Calvin tries to find the best word to describe his brother. The story is told in the dictionary’s point of view, by the way. This is a great book for children to explore words, feelings, and sibling relationships. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.