What a Wonderful Phrase by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Manu Montoya

Cover illustration ⓒ Manu Montoya

Language fascinates me. Over the years, I have become more and more interested in both the etymology of individual words and the origin of idiomatic speech, with the Something that Rhymes with Purple podcast from Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth being one of my favourites to listen to. Although I have a brilliant etymological dictionary for children, I’ve not seen anything quite like this new title from Little Tiger before which not only looks at where some of the curious sayings in the English language come from, but also offers a delightful taste of some from around the world.

After explaining what an idiom is, the book devotes a double-page spread to each saying giving its country of origin and a guide to pronunciation as well as an explanation of how the saying came into being.

Additionally, there are some fascinating facts very loosely connected to each saying making this a book which will interest a wide audience. I have yet to meet a child who does not enjoy being given random facts that they can share with others and the information here covers a broad range of subjects from science to the performing arts, history to meteorology, giving the text something for everyone.

Together with the beautiful illustrations, the text makes this a special book to cherish – one that would sit very well amongst the more usual non-fiction titles in any KS2 classroom or primary school library. It is also one of those books which is perfect to dip in and out of – either for younger readers who just have a few minutes or for adults to share in class at the end of a session in school.

This is a super book – one which I am really looking forward to sharing with my new Year 5 class next year. Original, interesting and beautiful to look at, it is one that will bring a lot of pleasure to those who pick it up. Enormous thanks go to publisher Little Tiger for my gifted copy of the hardback of What a Wonderful Phrase, which was published on 5th August. A perfect 5 out of 5 stars.