​​"Readers will fall in love with the power of words in this delightful offering by Davis-Gibbon (author of My Old Friend, Then) that explores how we use words to communicate, express emotions, and interact with the world around us ....

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Those still learning to read will relish hunting for, and sounding out, new words as they browse the story, and adults will appreciate Davis-Gibbon's attention to how words can both hurt and heal.

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The ending empowers youth to have a voice ...."

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   — Publishers Weekly BookLife Reviews

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"When it comes to the book's entertainment value, the delight will lie in the hunt for the words. Any child who has just learned the alphabet will surely get a kick out of discovering words hidden in bushes or the limbs of passing dogs.... More than anything else, though, it's the urge to think and perceive the world as it is that truly elevates this story above the merely engaging.... Katherine Davis-Gibbon's WORDS offers a charming, delightful examination of the meaning, power, and usefulness of words for the preschooler audience."

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   –Indie Reader (4.8-star review)

 

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"Words by Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a beautifully crafted picture book that takes young readers on an imaginative journey into a park where words come to life. With its vibrant illustrations and clever storytelling, the book explores the power of language in a way that is accessible and engaging for children.... This is an excellent way to teach children about empathy, understanding, and choosing words carefully."

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  — Readers' Favorite (5-Star Review)

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"Through the lens of a day at the park, readers learn about some of the relationships between words, how they work together and separately, and where things can get confusing when we're speaking, writing, and reading. Whether you're in the sandbox, playing with friends, walking your dog, or hiding behind a tree, words are everywhere, in every single thing that you see. A child may not always know the right words, but the book stresses that learning words is a lifelong journey....

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... this is an undeniably unique and engaging book that operates on multiple levels—increasing comfort and familiarity with words, while encouraging self-confidence in the learning process, and aimed at a range of developmental stages, from color, shape, and association practice to moderately complex reading. The most effective children's books are those that can function subtly on a range of access levels, and this title excels at teaching kids without ever feeling like a lesson."

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   —Self-Publishing Review (4.5 stars)

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​​​​​"Through beautiful pencil illustrations filled with diverse child characters and creatively imagined word characters, this picture book literally brings to life the role language plays in every child's growth and self-expression. Fittingly, the simple, rhythmic lines of text use words very effectively to convey emotions and explain complex concepts in a way that makes them accessible to even young readers. The book's overwhelmingly positive messaging about language makes it a perfect starting-point for thought-provoking discussions, while the imaginative rendering of words as characters with their own personalities opens up a space for children to create and share their own stories about words.

 

Words is a creative and entertaining exploration of language, perfect for both the classroom and sharing at home."

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  — The Children's Book Review

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"Expressed in a lighthearted, playful manner, the simple text in these pages and the whimsical, radiant illustrations accompanying the story serve as a gentle and inviting entryway for adults to share with young children in their lives both the beauty inherent in words and some basic life-lessons on choosing words wisely.... Davis-Gibbon's diction choices keep the discussion effectively on an elementary level, such that young readers (and listeners) can easily grasp the information being shared. In many ways, these sentiments are simply implied, reflecting the idea that there is no need to go beyond that with any heavy approach."

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  — US Review of Books