Exclamation Mark!
Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Author
Tom Lichtenheld, Illustrator
Scholastic Press, Fiction, March 2013
Suitable for Ages: 5 and up
Themes: Fitting In, Standing Out, Punctuation
Opening: “! He stood out from the very beginning.”
Synopsis: An exclamation point feels that he stands out from all the periods. Although he tries to fit in, he isn’t like the other marks. He is depressed until one day he meets a question mark ?, who pellets him with questions until he yells Stop! He tries bigger words: Wow! Yippee! Way to Go! Cool! Boo! Then more exclamations rush from his mouth and he shows all his friends what he can do. At last he’s found his purpose.
Why I like this book: Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have teamed up to create another very simple and creative story that both children and adults will find an entertaining way to understand the role of a period, question mark and exclamation mark. The story idea is brilliant. I also think their humorous story will spark many meaningful discussions at home and in the classroom about fitting in, self-expression and finding one’s place in the world. Lichtenheld’s illustrations really bring the punctuation marks to life in a delightful way for kids. The background looks like lined homework paper. The marks all have facial expressions. The art is simple and progresses to an explosion of colorful words at the end. This book is a must for the classroom. Visit Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld at their websites.
Children's Books Heal 
I LOVE this idea. This really looks brilliant. I would like to feature this on my Dr. NanaPlum Corner. Not sure how to go about it in terms of contacting the authors.
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Niamh, I’m glad you liked the story. Amy and Tom team up frequently on fabulous books. I love their work as it is always creative. I’m not sure what you want to do. Ask one of them to write a guest post? I don’t know how to reach Amy, but I do Tom. I interviewed in him in the fall of 2011 when he published E-mergency.
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OK. Many thanks. Perhaps I will write a rhyme and credit them with the inspiration.
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That would be cool!
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Ha! Fun! I love exclamation marks! Can you tell!!? Fitting in by standing out is a great lesson to learn.
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Genevieve, I love exclamation points and have to be careful not to over use them in my manuscripts. This is a delightful book for children. There are two great lessons in this story.
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Great idea! Thanks, Pat.
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Catherine, glad you enjoyed the book theme!
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I have NEVER read a book by Amy that wasn’t amazing!!!!!!!!
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Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is so creative. And, then add Tom Lichtenheld’s fabulous illustrations and you have an instant winner.
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I agree with Joanna – Amy’s books are always so clever. There’s definite magic in the Rosenthal/Lichtenheld collaboration!
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That’s the perfect discription — there is magic in their collaboration!
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I MUST get this book! It is so unique! 😀
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Erik, both you and Josie would enjoy this clever book. It is very unique!
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This sounds like a great one to use during author visits/writing workshops for the younger readers! 🙂
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Yes, that would be a great idea. It is such a clever and fun book! Great collaboration.
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Life is an exclamation point to me!! This book looks brilliant! I’ll be checking it out for sure! Thanks Ms Tilton!
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Love your response. The book is a brilliant! Hope you check it out.
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This is great creative writing. Guaranteed to excite children and adults alike. What if ….. all alphabets could converse with each other? What would they say?
Shakti
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Rosenthal and Lichtenheld are very creative children’s authors/illustrators who think outside the box. They have collaborated on many great children’s books. Lichtenheld did write a children’s book in 2011 call E-Mergency, about the letters of the alphabet living together. One of the most important vowels gets injured and the story that follows is brilliant. Thank you for stopping.
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Pingback: Dr. NanaPlum’s Rhyme Corner | On The Plum Tree
I have posted it as a feature on the plum tree Patricia, with a link to this page. Dr. NanaPlum’s Rhyme Corner.
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Thank you so much for sharing my review on the Plum Tree. It’s a special book!
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My pleasure.
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Both Posts are wonderful for celebrating the exclamation point. Quite creative for all! I find if I use one ! I do it in odd numbers. Don’t feel they should pair off. They should be solo or having fun with a group starting at !!! (3). Silly Me!!!!!!! 🙂 Jk ps. Children’s Books Heal & On The Plum Tree with Dr. NanaPlum’s Rhyming Corner are so perfect for children and the child, alive & excited & haven’t grown up, in a great many of us with double digit ages. Thank you both!!!!!!!
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Thank you so much Jennifer. You made me laugh. Great comment.
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