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What a Wonderful Word!

September 3, 2018 By Claire Annette Noland 5 Comments

Hello Friends,

Have you been enjoying summer? It has been a wonderful season here. I made a list of summer things I wanted to do and finally checked off the last ones.

Don’t you love books that take you other places? I recently read one that I’ve been sharing with my writer friends and others who love the power of words as much as I do.

 

What a Wonderful Word
By Nicola Edward (author) and Luisa Uribe (illustrator)
Kane/Miller 2018

 

Quick – can you think of a word that describes how you move food around in your mouth when it is too hot? (not a swear word!)

You can try the Bulu word PELINTI which is spoken by people in Ghana.

 

Or, a word that describes the drowsy feeling following a big meal?

Italians use the word Abbiocco which we should say after a Thanksgiving meal.

 

There are words in other languages that describe different feelings, actions, and emotions. In What a Wonderful Word, a global collection of words considered untranslatable into English are explained and illustrated. In addition, fascinating facts  give additional insight into the people and locations included in the book.

What a Wonderful Word transports readers to other places and introduces different cultures through their language. Luisa Uribe’s soft and gentle illustrations are full of WHIMSY (“English – playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor”) and playfully show traditions and mannerisms of each chosen word and country.

This is a book that celebrates the diversity of people around the world.  Many of these words should become part of everyone’s vocabulary, especially NAM JAI, which is a Thai word describing “a spirit of selfless generosity and kindness; a willingness to make sacrifices for friends and extend hospitality to strangers.”

 

This book is suggested for children in grades 5-8 but I have shared it with children in early elementary grades as well as adults. This is a book for everyone who loves words and learning about other people and places. I hope there will be a sequel.

Finally, I now have a word that is fitting for the view behind my home on the Kings River at the end of day. It is the Japanese word, KAWAAKARI, which means “the last gleam of light on a river’s surface at dusk.

Filed Under: Bookish Field Trips, Books, Multicultural Children's Books Tagged With: Language in children's books, Luisa Uribe - illustrator, What a Wonderful Word by Nicola Edwards

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina Cho says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:36 am

    Interesting book that shares global words!

    Reply
  2. Joan Schoettler says

    September 4, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    What wonderful international books you find…and then connect them to your world. Great example to all of us.

    Joan

    Reply
  3. Hilary says

    September 4, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    Hi Claire Annette – what a wonderful book for us all (as you say) – I must look it out – sounds quite delightful … and how gorgeous to know KAWAAKARI – the last gleam on the water … cheers Hilary
    Hilary recently posted…We Are The World Blogfest # 17: Oxford Martin School – a visionary approach to improving the world …My Profile

    Reply
  4. Evelyne Holingue says

    September 4, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    I’m sure I’d love this book, Claire. I will look for it.
    And I really like your photo of the river and how Japanese describe this moment of the day.

    Reply
  5. Trine says

    September 5, 2018 at 12:52 am

    Such a creative book idea. Thanks, Claire.
    Your photo and the Japanese word at the end is a lovely finish.

    Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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