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Don't Say That Word!    by Alan Katz & David Catrow Amazon.com order for
Don't Say That Word!
by Alan Katz
Order:  USA  Can
Margaret K. McElderry, 2007 (2007)
Hardcover
* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Michael comes home and his mother (busy vacuuming) asks him what he did in school today. Unlike my sons, who always answered succinctly (Nothing or Stuff usually) he proudly goes into loquacious detail, and continues to share his school day's drama as the evening progresses.

But Michael also has to pause often when his mom interjects, 'Don't say that word!' After one unsaid word too many, poor Michael has a time out - and at bath time, his mouth is washed out with soap. Young (and old) readers will feel for him, as they chuckle and fill in the blanks. The ending is perfect, as mom comes back with a verse of her own, one that causes her young son to jump in with 'Don't say that word!'

Alan Katz's rhymed text tantalizes with what's missing in Michael's amusing rant about his school day, while David Catrow's extreme illustrations do a great job of capturing the boy's frustration - and hinting at the forbidden words. Kids will have great fun yelling out each and every one of them.

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