What Ship Is Not a Ship?

by Harriet Ziefert, Josée Masse (Illustrations)

What language lesson doesn't seem like a lesson? The fun guessing game inside this book! Clever word groupings list three things that are alike and one that it is different. For example, there are living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but a mushroom is not a room! Picture clues will help kids figure out which thing is different and begin to grasp fine-tuned nuances of word parts, roots, and meanings. In addition, the text's guessing-game approach invites kids into a call-and-response dynamic. This title is a great companion to the well-received Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? and What Is Part This, Part That?

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 8, 2014

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Aleksandra]

This book is written as a guessing game. Its pattern is predictable. The author usually lists three things, for example, three kinds of pie, and then asks, “What pie is not a pie?” “A magpie is not a pie!” and then follows an explanation of what a magpie is. Other examples are woolly bear that is not a bear, seahorse that is not a horse), hi-hat that is not a hat (but a part of drum set), hot dog that is not a dog, leapfrog that is not a frog, mushroom that is not a room, litterbug that is not a bug, monkey that is not a key, seesaw that is not a saw, and – finally – the answer to the title of the book: a ship that is not a ship is friendship!
This book belongs in the picture book format. It can be retold entirely from illustrations, and the text and definitions are interwoven with the pictures.
This is a book for K-2 students. The text is easy to read – short sentences with repetitive patterns written in large print. Words are short and many high frequency words repeat often (such as what, a, an, not.) It is appropriate as an interactive read aloud in Kindergarten or grade 1. Teachers can read it as call-and-response, asking students to guess or read some parts together (shared reading.) It is appropriate to use in word play and word study activities. Educational concepts to teach include word parts and meanings, root words and, in grade 2, compound words (MN ELA 2.10.4.4.d). This book can be used to teach vocabulary, too, because it includes simple definitions for everyday words and concepts.
At the end of the book, there are more puzzles to guess (ring, worm, bed, ball etc.) Students can try to come up with their own riddles.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author shares examples of each word - ex. ship - and asks readers to think about what type of this word is not the same. Turn the page and see what the author shares.
Definitions given on each page.
Use to talk about other possibilities along with the given answer.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty clever idea, but I think it stretched a little too far, including too many examples and wearing out its welcome a little bit. The illustrations, however, are a pleasure throughout.

[Ad Astra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a funny kind of book. The concept is clever, and it gives my kids a surprise. Maybe I read this while they were too young because it's more of a late elementary kind of book.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to a 4-K group and was really impressed. It took them a few examples before they caught on and a couple of the words (such as hi-hat) they didn't know, but they were starting to be able to guess what was coming and I think that with repeated readings they would truly get the hang of it. I had thought it might be too much for them, but as usual I learned not to underestimate 4 year olds.

[Joella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book. But the younger ones who might pick this up right away don't always get the riddles. The older kids I know enjoyed the riddles...but they didn't really care to pick it up first. But with a little bit of good book talking this book will find the right crowd. And then it will be great.

[Cornmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to the wonders of the English language. Ziefert takes simple nouns and shows how, when used in conjunction with other words or as the tag end of a word, they become something else.

Illustrations by Josee Masse are bright and colorful. She's made them sort of like painting on wood.

I hope kids will pick this up and begin to enjoy the beauty of words.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always happy to see another great, easy non-fiction offering! Also was pleasing to the word nerd part of me. I can see teachers using this in the classroom and encouraging kiddos to try and think of their own!

[Amy Allgeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Cool concept. A little strange, but informative. I'm wondering if the younger kids wouldn't get this as fast as elementary children. Shows the oddness of the English language, that's for sure!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guessing game mash up with homophones and compound words as readers are shown 3 things that are the same and asks for another thing with that word in it that is different. More riddles on the back with answers in the Internet site.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

clever, funny, sweet. Perfect for teachers.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging wordplay and guessing games that will encourage kids to try their own.

[Wendy Kuzma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each page is like a riddle. This would be another great read aloud in an elementary classroom.

[Andrea Estelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun with words! Boys enjoyed this riddle book

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For kids who are learning to find words in other words, this riddle book is just right.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would make a great read aloud for early elementary.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see I'm in the minority, but I didn't really like this one. The illustrations are pretty but I'm not sure a kid would get it.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational word play

[Amy Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 1st grader loved it! It is a great early nonfiction book with awesome illustrations and interactive because kids try to guess the riddle and it usually stumps them!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total outside of the box way of thinking about words & what they are & are not. Think I only guessed 2 of them correct in this Q&A book. Loved the ending, not going to give it away!

[Anneliese G · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is very funny and clever

[Joellen Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book for word study and word play. Add to your collection of mentor texts for both.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of 2014

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creative and imaginative! This would work well for most ages including adults.