The Very Inappropriate Word
Jim Tobin, Author
Dave Coverly, Illustrator
Henry Holt and Company, Fiction, Aug. 20, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 5-8
Themes: Vocabulary, Swearing, School, Communication Skills
Opening: “Michael collected words. He found lots of words on signs and a few on TV. He picked up new words at practice and downtown and even in school, where Mrs. Dixon gave the kids one new spelling word every day.”
Book Jacket Synopsis: Michael loved collecting words: BIG words like SMITHEREENS, LITTLE words like VAST, and FAST words like DRAGSTER. Then one day, he picked up a new word. A BAD word. An INAPPROPRIATE word. At least that’s what his sister said. But Michael kind of liked the word and thought he might try it out. At school. Bad idea.
Why I like this book: Jim Tobin has written a very clever and humorous book that encourages children to learn and use new vocabulary. This book is a brilliant collaboration between Tobin and illustrator Dave Coverly. Coverly’s cartoon-like illustrations are engaging, lively and fun. Although Tobin focuses on helping children recognize and refrain from using inappropriate or bad words, I imagine kids will want to share the bad words they’ve heard. This is clearly shown in the book as Michael shares the bad word with the other students and they pass the word along. This means trouble for Michael, but the punishment is perfect for the indiscretion. The book is one that parents and teachers can use to discuss inappropriate words that kids hear at school and in public. Make sure you check out the inside and back pages of the book as they are an entertaining explosion of words and expressive drawings. This book is very well presented from beginning to end.
Resources: This is a book that teachers and parents can use to find fun ways to engage children in vocabulary building as well as addressing the subject of using inappropriate words in a non-preachy manner. The book is a resource in its own and will give teachers many ideas.
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Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
That sounds great for kids, Pat. I look forward to reading it.
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Great book to use with Matthew. A great teaching book, but full of loads of fun!
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How fun! I love inappropriate words. Mom says them a lot when I am naughty!!
Love and licks and #*@&,
Cupcake
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Cupcake, you told on your mom! A very clever book for parents and teachers to share with kids. And, you guessed the inappproriate word!
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Well NOW you’ve done it, Pat 🙂 I’m dying to know what the word is and what the perfect consequences are! This book sounds like a terrific one – we’ve certainly all had this conversation with our kids! – and it’s a topic that I don’t think has been covered yet for PPBF, so I’m thrilled to be adding it to our list. Thanks for a great review 🙂
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Couldn’t pass on this one Susanna! There is no specific word, just #@$%. You’ll have to use your imagination. The book is written in a very clever manner. Love the very fun and expressive illustrations. Inapporpriate words have become so much of our culture, with many kids hearing words at home.
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I love this idea! 🙂
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It is a great idea for a book! Great for the classroom.
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This looks like an interesting way to discuss the power of language and why some words are appropriate in some settings and not in others. I love how PPBF brings books like this to our attention!
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I’m glad you enjoyed my selection today. Think it’s an excellent book for our list. Gives parents and teachers a tool to use with kids.
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This sounds like a great resource for parents and teachers! I always get upset when I hear young children using inappropriate words.
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I do too. Many times very young kids pick up inappropriate language from home not knowing there is anything wrong. Parents really need to be mindful! This is an excellent resource.
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What a great concept! I really like the illustrations too.
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Glad you liked my choice today, Coleen. When I saw the title, I knew I wanted to review it for my website to let parents know about this great resource.
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Have I already mentioned how I like the look of your site, Patricia? Well, I do! Just put this title on hold – I like the look of the art and I love learning/using new words!
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I’m glad you liked the book — it really is a fun read! Thank you, I’m glad you like the look of my site. It fits my theme better. Hope you are keeping safe with all of the rain. Think of all of you out there every time I hear more news.
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Thank you, Patricia, foe your kind thoughts!
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haha, I wanna know the word. I think it’s great to address this subject rather than avoid it!
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Glad you liked my the book. It’s good to address the subject, but I can just hear kids blurting out the words they’ve heard too. But, another way to address the subject. Brilliant idea for a book!
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I love this idea, and I also love the video! Clever.
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Yes, it is a clever idea for a book. Haven’t seen any other like it.
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Great review. Thanks for sharing this title. I hadn’t heard of it. Now I am dying to know the story. On an unrelated note I LOVE the new look for your website, I didn’t even realize it was yours when I first saw it. I really need to give mine a facelift one of these days.
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Glad you enjoyed the book review. And thank you. I have been wanting to update my blog for a long time and just took the leap during the summer. It fits my theme better, I hope.
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This book looks SO familiar but I am sure with its release just a month ago that I’ve not yet seen or heard about it. Until now. Thank you SO much, Pat, for the lead on this must-have for a counselor. What a tool!
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I pre-ordered this when I learned about it. It just came out and I was excited to share something that could be used by teachers in the classroom at the beginning of the school year, or any time.
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A very appropriate and useful book for parents and teachers alike! Thanks for sharing!
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Am pleased you like the selection, Tina. It is a very useful book.
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What a brilliant idea for a PB and one that has a universal message. A very useful item both at school and in the home. Thanks Pat.
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Yes, one of those brilliant PB ideas that makes you think “why didn’t I think of that!” Glad you like it!
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This sounds great. I love the video as well. What a perfect idea to broach the subject of inappropriate words.
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This is a wonderful book for parents and teachers to use with kids. Makes you think, “why didn’t I think of that!”
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Glad you enjoyed the video. It is cute and gets the message across very well!
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This book sounds excellent — something every parent and teacher faces at some point, I am sure. Thanks, Pat!
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Thank you Beth! Great idea for a book!
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What a great way to talk about words – of all kinds. My kids picked up a VAST collection of @*#$ words on the school bus…. so we simply started a list of what we called “bus words that we don’t use in polite company”. We also discovered that there are at least 12 four-letter words that begin with F-U – exceedingly handy for hangman games on the bus because for some reason, even in 30-degree snowstorms, kids never think of “fuel”.
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Thank you so much Sue for sharing how you dealt with the issues with your kids. I love “bus words we don’t use in polite company.” And, to use them in a game. Very creative.
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Hahaha! I’ve read several wonderful books about people or critters who collect words. I even collect words! But I’ve never read a book about collecting bad words! That is a cute video about the book. I’ll have to check this one out! Thanks Ms Tilton!
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Thanks for another great book helping youth and adults alike. Will look for this in the library. 🙂
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Clar, you would enjoy this book. Quite fun and educational. It was just released in August, so you may have to ask the library to order it. My copy will go to my great granddaughter.
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I, sadly, know 75% (at least) of “bad” words. I like Ms. Heavenrich’s idea. We don’t ride the bus for a similar reason (high school and elementary school kids ride on the same bus). I think I would like this book! I think Cupcake might be in for some “words” though 😉 Here: I’m gonna Comic-Cuss – $#@&%!!! 😉
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It is incredible that they put elementary kids on the same bus as high schools students. I don’t blame your parents. Sadly, many kids hear inappropriate language at home at a young age. I do think you’d enjoy the book Erik!
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True story….had a child who transferred in from public, to our Christian school, who used some colorful metaphors. That night when the parent came to pick him up, and I informed her of the problem – she was aghast. Then as they were leaving (and I was locking the door), she whacked him with her purse and let fly with her own stream of colorful metaphors…. 😦 I wish I would have had this book to use then… I still work with kids – so I will look for this one.
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What is that expression — the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. How tempting to want to whack her. Laura this is a really good book for the classroom!
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