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Flip-a-Word

Flip-a-Word: Pig Wig

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FLIP a page, find a rhyme!
It’s learning through fun—every time!

Even kids who can’t read a sentence can read one word, or a two-word phrase. By putting their hands on the pages, kids are pulled into the learning dynamic. They make the page turn, and they gain a new word that rhymes with one they just saw.

Who can dig a pig in a wig?
How’d that pet get wet?
Will Pop stop, or will he hop?
Are mice on ice twice as nice?

With art in the Japanese anime style, each book in this interactive early reading series features a different word family. Word families help children recognize similarities between words that rhyme, and connect words that have matching long, or short, vowel sounds. By mastering this dynamic, kids can read words they don’t necessarily know. Offering a springboard into independent reading, Flip-a-Word takes kids from a single word, to a phrase, to a simple sentence. From there, eye-catching illustrations lead kids to imagine story scenarios only a child could dream up!

For kids, parents, and teachers—everyone flips for Flip-a-Word!

36 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read

About the author

Harriet Ziefert

680 books54 followers
Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

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5 stars
55 (38%)
4 stars
49 (34%)
3 stars
30 (20%)
2 stars
9 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Meredith.
4,185 reviews73 followers
July 1, 2020
This beginning reader teaches the word families -ig, -ug, and -at.

Bright, engaging, Kawaii style illustrations accompany rhyming words from three different word families. The book's format utilizing a cut-out construction at the bottom of the page cleverly changes the beginning letter to form a new word on the next page. Four words from each word family are given, followed by four phrases using the words.

A note to parents/caregivers is given at the front of the book. The word families, including bonus words, are listed at the back as well as suggested word family activities.

This is an excellent book to help beginning readers understand phonological awareness -- the ability to identify and play with individual sounds in spoken words -- and phonemic awareness -- the ability to recognize that spoken words are made up of individual sound parts.
Profile Image for Debra.
2,074 reviews11 followers
September 26, 2017
I like these flip-a-word books. They are easy and fun. This one uses the -ig and -ug and -at families. The flipping of the pages back and forth and the fun of seeing how this changes the images makes it more fun. The extended word bank at the end could lead to some additional fun sentences and maybe even a story using these words. The word lamb could be a pause until you use the picture clue.
Profile Image for Kate M. Colby.
Author 19 books76 followers
October 31, 2025
Jack borrowed this book from the Canal Winchester Library. I picked it because he likes the phonics book we have at home, and I am trying to get him interested in reading because he knows all his letters and sounds. He enjoyed the words and funny illustrations. While he let me sound out some words for him, he didn't want to join in. But tolerating me trying to "teach" him something was a win in its own way, as sometimes he gets fussy when he can tell I'm trying to teach him.
Profile Image for Beth.
4,150 reviews19 followers
January 28, 2023
Easy Reader. Renton Highlands library.

This is more of a reading exercise than a book. If the kid is into the pictures then maybe they'll enjoy the exercise, and the small cut outs give it some dynamism.
Profile Image for Brittany.
2,656 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2017
Rhyming book that teaches "ig, at, and ug" and all of the words that rhyme. Decent illustrations.
Profile Image for Memory Toast.
451 reviews18 followers
July 26, 2018
The adorable illustrations and funny sentences themed around 3 word families per book make this series a great one for an emerging reader.
37 reviews
May 4, 2019
I like that the hug was sweet and she gave her a hug. And the bug had enough water and food. And I liked that a mug was alive! 'Cause it was funny.
Profile Image for Sara.
58 reviews6 followers
September 12, 2019
The art is cute in this book and the flip cut-outs are clever. A good sight word book for IG, UG, and AT.
Profile Image for Cathy | A Case Full of Books.
1,001 reviews37 followers
June 7, 2023
If it weren't for the bright colorful pictures, this would be so boring. 😅 But my four year old loved it and it was simple enough to build her reading confidence!
36 reviews
May 10, 2015
Personal Response:
This book is awesome and I think beginning readers will really enjoy it. The illustrations are extremely colorful so students will be interested in learning new words. This book has a flip book format so students will have a fun time turning the pages and it will also get students excited to read new books.
Use in the Classroom:
This book introduces word families to beginning readers because once they learn word families they will be able to recognized them in other books. This book could be used in the classroom as an independent read for beginning readers because there are very little words on each page and it will help recognizing sight words.
Profile Image for Birdie.
337 reviews
July 13, 2010
This is a really cute series for wee ones who want to start the very basics of reading, after they've learned their letters. Each page shows a word ending sound, such as 'ig' or 'at' and then has cut-outs as you turn the page so that different letters begin the word. Each page has a big colorful illustration of that word. I would have given it five stars, but I thought some of the illustrations did not look much like what they were supposed to illustrate!
10 reviews
February 12, 2012
Excellent beginning to read book for new decoders - kids who are just figuring out how word families like -ig, -ug, and -at work. Really fun cut out pages and lots of different ways for the reader to practice the sound families. A hit with my newly reading son!
Profile Image for Kelley.
1,281 reviews10 followers
January 10, 2017
A great book for kids who are just learning to read. The book focuses of three "families" of words and shows how letter combinations make the same sounds in different words. Lots of rhyming words and great practice for beginning readers.
Profile Image for Rita.
375 reviews7 followers
July 21, 2008
An easy reader book that is uses word families. Kids love these books! I can't keep them on the shelf.

Profile Image for Amanda.
2,471 reviews10 followers
October 12, 2013
I think these are a must for a learn-to-read library. At 3 1/2, my son was more or less reading this to me.

Now reading these with my daughter at 3.5, I sing them like Wonder Red.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
140 reviews
October 1, 2010
My son is learning to read with Hooked on Phonics & this book was recommended as additional reading. It was great because most of the words he already knew & could read by himself.
Profile Image for Brandi.
116 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2013
perfect for kids just beginning to read. Fun pictures and concept. My students love reading the books in this series.
55 reviews
October 25, 2016
A wonderful practice book for beginning readers. Helps accentuate beginning word sounds and rhyming relationships. A great way for a beginning phonetic reader to feel successful.
Profile Image for Gabrielle Neufeld.
100 reviews25 followers
May 1, 2017
This is super beginner beginner young readers. It doesn't have a plot but just has kids practicing their rhyming words and noticing spelling patterns. I gave this book 3 stars because it is useful but not entertaining.

Grade Equivalent: PreK-K
Lexile: BR-70
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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