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Wumbers
What do you get when you combine a word and a number? A wumber! Paying tribute to William Steig's CDB!, best-selling book, cre8ors Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have wri10 and illustr8ed this s2pendous book that is 1derful 4 readers in kindergar10 and up. If we've confused you, just take a look at the book—4tun8ly it has helpful pictures. We are sure you will get it ins10tly!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
88 books1,093 followersSHORT BIO:
Amy Krouse Rosenthal was.
She divided her time.
NOT SO SHORT BIO:
Amy Krouse Rosenthal was a person who liked to make things.
Some things she liked to make include:
Children's books. (Little Pea, Spoon, DuckRabbit)
Grown-up books. (Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life)
Short films. (The Beckoning of Lovely, The Money Tree)
Guided journals. (The Belly Book)
Something out of nothing. (see above)
A longtime contributor to WBEZ and to the TED conference,
Amy lived with her family in Chicago and online at whoisamy.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
September 21, 2012
Some people may think this book is 1derful and s2pendous. Some may h8 it. Either way, you'll have 2 admit it's clever.
Reminiscient of CDB, Wumbers requires readers to incorporate the sounds of numbers' names into the middle of words. Confused already? That's okay, you'll get it with a little practice.
Examples:
"Are you usually prompt, or do you 10d 2 be l8 and keep others w8ing?”
"This is kind of in10se, but do you think outer space goes on 4ever or do you think it 7tually got to end somewhere?”
“Here’s the plan: I’ll climb the s2l and go str8 to the cookie jar. You be on the lookout 4 Mom.”
Now do you get it? There's no real storyline here, just little vignettes on each page. And it's pretty clever. It's all about learning to "read" in a different way, thinking outside the box. I think this would be great for use in Gifted classes, first by having them decipher the text, then having them write their own "wumbers".
Reminiscient of CDB, Wumbers requires readers to incorporate the sounds of numbers' names into the middle of words. Confused already? That's okay, you'll get it with a little practice.
Examples:
"Are you usually prompt, or do you 10d 2 be l8 and keep others w8ing?”
"This is kind of in10se, but do you think outer space goes on 4ever or do you think it 7tually got to end somewhere?”
“Here’s the plan: I’ll climb the s2l and go str8 to the cookie jar. You be on the lookout 4 Mom.”
Now do you get it? There's no real storyline here, just little vignettes on each page. And it's pretty clever. It's all about learning to "read" in a different way, thinking outside the box. I think this would be great for use in Gifted classes, first by having them decipher the text, then having them write their own "wumbers".
July 12, 2012
Cute premise and fun 2 read some of the wumbers cre8ed. I always enjoyed doing this as a child. (Had no idea William Steig wrote a book like that, so now I must read it!) There isn't a story to the book, which would make it pretty much pointless 4 a storytime since the kids wouldn't really be able 2 see the cre8ed words on the page. I could, however, book talk the book and do an activity with the kids helping me make wumbers. Probably best 4 a school-age group. And in a read-alone it would be best 4 school-age, but younger may work in a lap-read where the older reader can explain what is going on.
September 5, 2012
If you have ever read William Steig's book C D B then you will understand the concept of this book. Wumbers are where you make words with numbers inserted to make a sentence. For example, one "wumber" reads, "He lost his first 2th! He is el8ed!"
Although this isn't a book I would read in storytime, it would be interested to talk to elementary school kids and tweens about in a book talk. They are perhaps the best audience seeing how texting is often a mixture of William Steig's C D B and Wumbers. I think it would be fun to read some of these to kids/tweens and have them come up with some of their own examples (or texts) that they can or would use. Fun!
Although this isn't a book I would read in storytime, it would be interested to talk to elementary school kids and tweens about in a book talk. They are perhaps the best audience seeing how texting is often a mixture of William Steig's C D B and Wumbers. I think it would be fun to read some of these to kids/tweens and have them come up with some of their own examples (or texts) that they can or would use. Fun!
April 23, 2012
I had the unique privilege of sitting next to Tom Lichtenheld as he pointed out his favorite illustrations in this book and how he and Amy collaborate on their books. Another great book from the creative team of Krouse Rosenthal & Lichtenheld. A review will be up on my blog this week.
July 27, 2012
Cute idea to put numbers inside of words. I would have liked it better if there was a story to the book rather than just random scenes on every page.
December 3, 2012
This is an interesting book that offers a new way to look at the English language. The way that the numbers are incorporated into the words is clever and sometimes a bit tough to decipher. The illustrations are colorful and fun and help to explain the sentence, especially if a child needs some clues.
We read William Steig's book CDC? and I loved trying to figure out the different words. I think that book was even more difficult than this one, but both are very entertaining. We haven't read CDB! yet, so we'll have to check that one out at our local library.
Overall, this is a fun book to read aloud with children and we enjoyed reading it together. We found an ebook version of this book and read it on my tablet - almost as good as the book, but we sometimes had to manipulate the pages in order to read the text. The font was somewhat small.
We read William Steig's book CDC? and I loved trying to figure out the different words. I think that book was even more difficult than this one, but both are very entertaining. We haven't read CDB! yet, so we'll have to check that one out at our local library.
Overall, this is a fun book to read aloud with children and we enjoyed reading it together. We found an ebook version of this book and read it on my tablet - almost as good as the book, but we sometimes had to manipulate the pages in order to read the text. The font was somewhat small.
July 6, 2012
I love the basic idea of this book, but I just think it is for the wrong age group. Word play is fun, but for young children that are just beginning to read, substituting numbers for letters in books is a bit confusing. Gr8 and 1derful have their places in later primary books, but not in a children’s board book.
I had wondered if maybe I was over reacting, so I had two teenagers, who seem to text for a living and use creative spelling, look this book over for their opinions. They loved it for older kids and thought that it was fun trying to sound out the words, but agreed with me in that it was wrong for the younger set.
They even went on to say that maybe the author should expend more and create a graphic type novel designed for preteens using this concept. That was actually a good idea.
Not the right book for new readers, but perfect for those who conquered primary school reading proficiency.
I had wondered if maybe I was over reacting, so I had two teenagers, who seem to text for a living and use creative spelling, look this book over for their opinions. They loved it for older kids and thought that it was fun trying to sound out the words, but agreed with me in that it was wrong for the younger set.
They even went on to say that maybe the author should expend more and create a graphic type novel designed for preteens using this concept. That was actually a good idea.
Not the right book for new readers, but perfect for those who conquered primary school reading proficiency.
June 2, 2012
I'll never get tired of the cleverness of cre8tors of books such as this one and last year's delightful E-mergency! Although there is no real storyline here, the pages are filled with words that rely on letters and numbers to communicate. Readers will laugh and cer10ly want to try their hands at cre8ing a few of these on their own after reading examples such as tuba instructions to "Tigh10 your mouth...then 4ce out the air" (unpaged. Some are hard and not as easily noticed; for instance, "I think you'll sur5" (unpaged). Even the endnotes and dedication contains these wumbers, combinations of letters and words for the creative minded. The ink and PanPastel illustrations are just as delightful as the text. Please give us more!
August 23, 2012
Dedicated to William Steig, “Wumbers” employs his style of wordplay to create fun with numbers. There is also a hint of rebus to this book because the action-packed illustrations help young readers solve the puzzles of words made up of numbers. As in Steig’s “CDB!” and “CDC?” there is no story here. A story would have limited Rosenthal’s freedom to use a variety of words in number form. Instead a series of scenes are described with captions and dialogue using words that contain numbers in place of letters, such as “10t” and “4ever”. The result is a page-turning, brain teaser that shows kids how to sound out words. “Wumbers” involves readers in a game with words and numbers, which will inspire them to create their own wumbers.
July 30, 2012
What is a Wumber? It's a combination of a word and a number - such as "I h8 brussel sprouts" (my creation, not an example in the book).
Wumbers is a picture book with wumbers within its text of no storyline. The illustrations are simple yet colorful. The wumbers may be confusing for beginning readers but will be enjoyed by more established readers. There were a few wumbers I had to think twice before understanding.
This book is going to make a nice addition to my daughter's elementary school classroom library.
Wumbers is a picture book with wumbers within its text of no storyline. The illustrations are simple yet colorful. The wumbers may be confusing for beginning readers but will be enjoyed by more established readers. There were a few wumbers I had to think twice before understanding.
This book is going to make a nice addition to my daughter's elementary school classroom library.
July 16, 2012
I thought I would like this more. It's creative, no doubt. But kids are going to learn text speak no matter what in this day and age.. do we need a book in this language? Maybe I'm old school but I don't think I want to encourage a kid to write/communicate in this "wumbers" way.
June 16, 2012
Gr8 book that will lend itself 2 1derful writing ex10sions! :)
July 22, 2012
FANTASTIC, I love wordplays/numberplays- what a fun new book.
February 10, 2016
Numbers replace parts of words. Fun to read! You should read it 2 ;)
August 3, 2016
WUMBERS
A Lament
--------
Call me Debbie Downer, but I think kids have enough exposure to misspelling, text-speak, and so on without adding this book. Is the premise cute? Sure! Are the illustrations well done? Absolutely! But this is a book, not a game (even though it is advertised as one on the cover of the copy I read).
So, here are some legitimate drawbacks:
1. Young kids do NOT need any more confusion about English spelling. English spelling is tough, and spelling trouble often lasts well into junior high. Why introduce any confusion?
2. The book is seemingly plot-less and pointless. Sure, not every book has to involve a grand teachable moment, but a mini-plot or storyline would have been nice.
3. The book is legitimately difficult to read.
4. Text-speak. ACK.
Having said all that, I think this book could be used as an introduction to a rainy-day game for older students or even tweens. Kids old enough to have a strong grasp of spelling and sounds would probably get a kick out of making "number" sentences and phrases for each other.
September 22, 2019
A little extra fun for the class room. It is a game that involves your ears and hearing the sound of spoken numbers. An example would be "Have you ever tiptoed through the 2lips?" It is a fun way to read out loud and play along. The illustrations are bright and clean, the font is large and clear.
This book was dedicated to William Stieg, who wrote two books in a similar style where the sound of the individual letters create a word(s). I found the letters version harder than the numbers.
Give it a go and see if you can create your own combinations.
This book was dedicated to William Stieg, who wrote two books in a similar style where the sound of the individual letters create a word(s). I found the letters version harder than the numbers.
Give it a go and see if you can create your own combinations.
April 29, 2013
It would be more accurate to say that this book was read to me, along with about 200 others at School Library Journal's Day of Dialog a week ago today. These authors were fantastic together and showed off slides of the book and read it aloud to us! How fun. Everyone was able to get books signed by the authors (if you were willing to wait patiently in line!) So I was able to chat with them as it was being signed. No, I didn't snap a photo. I should have. They are very nice. So is their book!
July 2, 2012
"It's a book!" "It's a game!"
There is no story in this book. Just random pages with phrases written with numbers in the words. It takes some creative thinking to figure some of them out. I like this book as a bit of a brain teaser for the older elementary crowd. It is over the heads of early readers and makes a completely lousy read aloud. But an older elementary child can read the book and then think of a few wumbers of his or her own.
There is no story in this book. Just random pages with phrases written with numbers in the words. It takes some creative thinking to figure some of them out. I like this book as a bit of a brain teaser for the older elementary crowd. It is over the heads of early readers and makes a completely lousy read aloud. But an older elementary child can read the book and then think of a few wumbers of his or her own.
July 6, 2012
From the creators of the book Duck! Rabbit! comes another entertaining book that is filled with fun illustrations. The author/illustrator combination has figured out a way to mix numbers and reading.... and there you have "Wumbers". Each page layout depicts a new scene, but the words are half written with numbers. For example, "stool" is "s2l", "button" is "bu10". Advanced readers and beginning readers will have fun figuring out these words! This book is a surefire hit with everyone!
July 15, 2012
Cute idea, but the delivery could have been better. I look for books that will encourage my children to read. Wumbers left even my advanced reader frustrated because several of the “wumbers” just didn’t flow. I even found myself stumbling while reading.
The illustrations were ok, but nothing extraordinary. All in all I’m really disappointed with Wumbers and after having such high hopes that is a serious bummer.
The illustrations were ok, but nothing extraordinary. All in all I’m really disappointed with Wumbers and after having such high hopes that is a serious bummer.
July 20, 2012
This book did not have the best literary content, but could be used to incorporate math and language arts together, especially for the purposes of recognizing the numbers in different forms. (letters as opposed to numbers). For this particular station or activity, I would have the students write out the numbers in word form and vice versa, so that they would be familiar with numbers in different forms, especially when they encounter them in word problems, etc.
December 28, 2012
2.5
This wasn't exactly bad, and I enjoy this author, but it wasn't the best ever. If you are trying to teach your kids how to update their Twitter status, or adults, using a bunch of numbers transposing letters - this is your book.
It's silly fun, but silly fun without much of a point. I think this is an nice way of making big words more approachable to little kids, but that's about it.
This wasn't exactly bad, and I enjoy this author, but it wasn't the best ever. If you are trying to teach your kids how to update their Twitter status, or adults, using a bunch of numbers transposing letters - this is your book.
It's silly fun, but silly fun without much of a point. I think this is an nice way of making big words more approachable to little kids, but that's about it.
September 28, 2013
The illustration was cute and eye catching my 5-year-old daughter chose this book at the library; I think she was intrigued by the cover. Her favorite part is "I like chicken 10ders.
"I enjoyed word play it was fun but this isn't a book I would read in story time to young children, it would be interested to talk to elementary school kids and tweens about in a book talk. They are perhaps the best audience seeing how texting is often a mixture of.
"I enjoyed word play it was fun but this isn't a book I would read in story time to young children, it would be interested to talk to elementary school kids and tweens about in a book talk. They are perhaps the best audience seeing how texting is often a mixture of.
November 15, 2013
Two favorites Rosenthal and Lichtenheld team up again this time with a clever word play book called Wumbers (words created with numbers). As an homage to William Steig's CDB, Rosenthal has written captions for Tom Lichtenheld's great illustrations with numbers embedded in words representing sounds. It would be great to share with students to create interest in words and then to invite students to create as well.
Read
October 4, 2018Our daughter thought this was hilarious. She read it once but then started "talking" in wumbers. Enjoy this book together, or let the kids play with it on their own. The word + number combinations let the young readers use big, multi-syllable words that they wouldn’t know how to decipher otherwise.
To read our full review, go to
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October 7, 2015
What a fun and engaging book! Wri10 with all kinds of words cre8ed with numbers, it is fun to crack the code. It doesn't tell a connected story, but each 2-page spread depicts an interesting situation, told in pictures and wumbers. The end pages are full of whimsical questions wri10 in wumbers, as are the about-the-author blurbs, and don't miss the shout out at the end to William Steig and CDB for inspiration.
May 20, 2022
What an absolutely clever book with sweet and happy pictures that takes us through a lot of difference scenarios. Super fun to read! I'm going to start using more wumbers myself!
* Set the timer for 5 minutes. How many wumbers can you remember or cre8?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Try putting on doTERRA's Thinker Essential Oil Blend while reading this book. It's especially designed to boost brain power in little ones.
* Set the timer for 5 minutes. How many wumbers can you remember or cre8?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Try putting on doTERRA's Thinker Essential Oil Blend while reading this book. It's especially designed to boost brain power in little ones.
June 8, 2012
Woohoo for Wumbers! Gonna don my three, count 'em, three, Wumbers silly bands (received at this year's [2012] Book Expo America) and cre8 a ruckus about this very in10tionally punny picture book. But not until I recover from long flight delays getting home from BEA. Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld are ROCK STARS to me.
July 4, 2012
Short and Sweet: This book was one I was very excited to read, but fell very flat once it arrived. The story is broken into short stories which made the continuity very difficult. In addition to that the numbers placed within certain words to create full words made reading out loud very difficult. Overall pretty disappointed with this picture book, sadly.
August 15, 2012
Words + numbers = wumbers! The book doesn't tell a full story (that would be waaaaay too difficult for this concept) rather it has one page comic-like one-liners that incoporate numbers into words set atop illustrations of the scenarios. A fun read, though a little complcated for a read aloud. Must read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews