The Boy Who Loved Words

by Roni Schotter, Giselle Potter (Illustrator)

Words. Selig loves everything about them--the way they tast on his tongue (tantalizing), the sound they whisper in his ears (tintinnabulating!), and--most of all--the way they stir his heart. And he collects them voraciously, the way others collect stamps or seashells.

But what to do with so many luscious words? Surrounded by doubters, Selig journeys forth and discovers that there is always someone--a poet, a baker, maybe even YOU--searching for the perfect word...a word that he can provide.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Writing, Language, Words, Realistic Fiction

36 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2006

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now considering that I have always loved words and have advanced degrees in German literature, I was really expecting to absolutely adore Roni Schotter's The Boy Who Loved Words (as while I might not collect them like Selig does, I do have a weakness for word based games, vocabulary lists and simply reading dictionaries for fun). However, while I have to a certain extent and indeed mildly appreciated certain aspects of The Boy Who Loved Words (mostly the detailed glossaries at the back), I have personally (and on an entirely emotional level) rather majorly disliked one part of Roni Schotter's presented narrative so much that I can really only consider a one star ranking. For while I have already and rather frustratingly found the author's text, the printed and presented narrative as an entity, as a whole a bit artificial and contrived, for me, as a person of German background, the emergence of that dream genie depicted as speaking with an obvious German/Yiddish accent and in such a heavy and to and for me in one's face and mocking fashion, well this has not only angered me immensely, it has also and unappreciatively brought back far too many remembrances of ignorant students and even some of my teachers making fun of my accent, imitating my German way of especially pronouncing V and W sounds (and in very much the same manner as the genie speaks in The Boy Who Loved Words) that I am just left fuming and growling (and although I more than readily assume that Roni Schotter likely does in no way mean to be insulting or disparaging, this does not change the fact that the genie's accent and how prominently it seems to be featured has pretty much and totally rubbed me the wrong way).

Combined with the fact that Giselle Potter's accompanying illustrations, while indeed colourful and expressive, do once again and as usual depict human faces as strangely stagnant and one dimensionally old (in other words, that even Potter's child characters look to my eyes like old men and old women and that Selig as a boy actually looks in especially his face considerably older than either his father or mother), I have most definitely and sadly been very much disappointed with and by The Boy Who Loved Words and to the point that I almost wish I had not read the book, as especially the scene of the genie speaking with that heavy accent has bothered me for a couple of days now (and although I do feel a bit guilty ranking The Boy Who Loved Words with but one star, I cannot and will not pretend that the book has not bothered and infuriated me).

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe this isn’t a five star book (I had to get used to the way people were depicted, and its attempt at diversity fell short, and even some short parts of the story rubbed me the wrong way, just a tiny bit) but I’m a sucker for books such as this, and 5 stars it is. And, I do this it’s an excellent book.

This book takes a long, long time to read if all the words are read. In addition to the story, there are many words on most pages. (They reminded me of the magnetic poetry kits’ words.) If reading it with a child, it could take an incredibly long time to get through the book because there will be many “What does this mean?” questions.

Selig is a boy who loves words, and he collects them, and he finds a way to use them, and others find a way to use them. He’s called an oddball but makes his interest in words work for him. It’s a wonderful book for readers who love words and for children who enjoy learning new words. There is a glossary in the back, but I think it includes just the words in the story, not the extra words that are on just about every pages, including the inside front and back covers. I loved the words, even though I knew them all. Seeing all of them reminded me of how much I enjoy words/language. In this sense, this book reminded me just a bit of The Phantom Tollbooth. Advanced words are used, not just as separate entities, but also within the story proper.

I ended up really appreciating the illustrations and I loved the ones that include trees.

This is a fabulous book to read with children who enjoy increasing their vocabulary, or for independent readers who like doing the same. It’s a wonderful story for anyone who writes or who appreciates words, and it’s also a terrific book for oddballs anywhere, including collectors or those who have unusual interests, not that being interested in words is all that unusual.

I’m definitely not doing this book justice in describing it, and I should have brought out the thesaurus and used every esoteric, beautiful, unusual, advanced, amazing word in it for this review.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been going to the library lately looking for childrens' books about word worship or library love. I find all kinds of books that seem to be just what I am looking for and then I get them home and read them and they are just blah. Eh. Good idea. Not so great execution of idea. This book is a classic example. They could have done much better, although the short part about the boy sharing his collected words with a poet with writer's block was okay.

Where is the whizzbang wonder? There are plenty of books about art and music that seem to "bang the gong" (to borrow some words from Jack Grapes)but I can't find anything that explains the power and awe and respect I have for libraries, librarians, and the written word.

Perhaps I should just write my own odes to libraries and words and read them to my children. But they get enough of that already, I think. Momma's silly songs and odes are starting to get the dreaded eyerolls. I wanted to prove that I wasn't the only one that felt this way about those subjects but maybe I am. Oh well.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderous ode to the beauty of words. The boy in this story loves words and collects them as some people would collect rocks or stamps or baseball cards. But when he finds himself overloaded with words, he must find a way to free up his mind and his pockets. In a delightful bit of serendipity, he learns that he can do great things for people by sharing his words.

A charming and clever tale for budding logophiles, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think I would have loved it as a child since I was always fascinated by the magic of words. I'm not sure that I was a fan of the style of illustrations for the humans, but I did love how the words were interspersed in the illustrations. (And there's a dictionary in the back if any of the young wordsmiths need to look up the definitions.)

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept waiting for this book to be about someone who really lived (an author, poet, etc.) and it wasn't - so, I think had I known that for sure prior to reading I would have enjoyed the book even more.

That said, I like the way this book was written, and especially liked that all the complicated words were explained in the back for those curious to know their definitions.

The arc of the story wasn't anything amazing, but I appreciated what the book set out to do, and how children who revel in words will most likely gobble this up!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that introduces some big words. Amazing illustrations. However, I feel it would have been better with more easier words to begin with.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

What a grand team Roni Schotter and Giselle Potter make! to have turned out The Boy Who Loved Words is a remarkable achievement. . . .my crew loved tossing these words around. We followed Selig throughout his journey, right down to finding his own true love, Melody - another glorious word!

Our favorites were Aflutter, Amphora, Chockablock, Clambered, Disburse, DJinn, Dusk, Exultant (is that like a Lieutenant? asked one of mine), Harmony, Hubbub, Jibber-Jabber, Jot, Limber, Lute, Mellifluous, Percolated, Periphery, predilection, Rucksack, Scrumptious, Reliable, Muzzle, and Zesty. Delicious words, all.

If you and yours like words, especially the ones that roll around in your mouth and tickle your ears? You will truly enjoy this book. You might even giggle.

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of our first grade High Ability curriculum. A story about Selig, a young boy with a love for words, and his journey to find a purpose for his wordsmith ways. I honestly thought it could have been more...wondrous. I got my hopes up when Selig was visited by a Yiddish genie, and then again when he helped a poet (perhaps William Wordsworth to mirror Selig's nickname?). But overall, it was ho-hum. Even one of my students predicted an ending that would have been far more impactful! It is a good resource for vocabulary development, though.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids said it was ok. I thought it was a smorgasbord of vocabulary, all thrown together. It was a little awkward to me as a result. You will definitely need a few practices before reading this one aloud seamlessly.

[Braelyn Carwile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy who loved words is about a boy named Selig who collects words he writes words down on a scrap piece of paper. One day on his way to find his purpose, the words he carries get too heavy so he put them in a tree. This leads him to share his words with other people.
I enjoyed this book, but it might be difficult to for beginner readers. I found myself having to look at some of the words more closely in order to pronounce them correctly. I really liked the words in the illustrations and how they matched what was going on in the picture. I also appreciated having a glossary in the back so you could see which words they used. It is a nice story and you can take a lot from it. It touches on a lot of topics so it can be used in a variety of ways.
Obviously this can be used for when your students want to or are not using interesting words. I think it would be fun to have my students do their own version of this book. I would have them come up with their own story, but then have them use a thesaurus to describe more of what they mean. They would include their own glossary so if they shared them with the other students in the class, they could know what the words mean.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. I love the idea of it and certain aspects make it really neat, like the focus on the more interesting and unique words out there as well as the accompanying glossary in the back. However, the story itself seemed a bit lacking in...something, though I'm not sure what. The illustrations were pretty at times but not a favorite.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy loves words more than anything. He likes to collect them. One day he meets Melody and Poet and his life is complete.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this story since we got this book as a gift years and years ago. I thought of this book today for the first time in a long time and dug it out. My 10 year old let me read it to him at bedtime since I told him it reminded me of him and how well he uses words to describe things. Upon my word! How lucky I am, indeed!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Cierra Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought after finishing this book how how many different ways you could take it! This would be a fantastic read aloud for grades 1-3. For first graders, each student can pick a more advanced word from the story (ex: tantalizing, earnest, obligation, ect) look up the meaning of it, where it originated from, and give an example of how it could be used in a sentence. Then the students can present their findings to the class. For 2nd or 3rd graders, since the little boy in the stories hobby was collecting words, they could spend a week "collecting" their own words from the stories the read and then at the end of the week, everybody can put their words on the board and the students can give definitions for the words they know, and the words remaining can be looked up and defined to broaden their vocabulary.

[Caitlin Barclay]

This is a book all about a boy that loves words! I would say that this is an inspirational book that encourages readers to find purpose in what they enjoy doing. The fact that this boy loves words and the words that the author includes makes me want to write a poem! The book includes a glossary of the words used because some of them I have never heard before! I would like to have this in my classroom to help students see what can be done with their dreams and with words!

[Rida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell instantly in love with his book! Great, Super, Amazing, Incredible, Exquisite! I'm speechless! It's a joy. I Love Words and I in fact do collect them in my good words document. I feel so appreciated by this book. I bet Selig would be the best person to help me make my novel come to life! Sigh.

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. It talked about what every kid is curious about, words and vocabulary. I didn't like how he just heard a word and then wrote it down. He didn't find out what it meant. Students are going to need an explanation on what the word means and they are going to have no idea by just hearing a funny word and then writing it down. I would not share this book.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contrived and lame.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter Illustrator Giselle Potter- I have read this book in Hindi. The Book has been translated by Purva Yagyik Kushwaha. Story is about a child Selig, a child who is in love with words. Their sound in the ear, their utterance from the tongue & how the words touch the heart. Other children in his class collect stamps and shells. Selig searches for words which exactly describe their purpose. In school, while other children spend time in games, Selig uses his time in searching words. Selig’s mother, a fat lady, always thought about what his son would do when he grows up. Selig’s father is a busman. He sells strong lasting shoes. He thought how his son’s search for proper words would help his business and how would he survive in life. As Salig grew, people started calling him by the name “Wordsworth”. One day Selig had a dream. He woke up to find himself in a strange room. He found an urn with two handles placed on a table before him. He touched the urn with this fingers. A genie appears from the urn. Selig enquires from him, “People call him crazy child?” Genie informs Selig that he is a “Wordsworth” and he is person with a purpose and mission. After saying these words, the Genie elopes. Next day, Selig packs his bag with pillow, blanket, honey, cake, syrup and words. He leaves home and reaches a garden. He hangs the words on the branches of a tree. He eats the apple and honey. He climbs this tree and finds a place for him to sleep. He is tired and falls asleep. He dreams about his mission to find suitable words. He dreams about his mother and about Macroon biscuits which his mother has provides him. A poet arrives in the garden. He has difficulty in finds suitable words to complete his poem. Poets picks up words from the branch of the tree on which Selig has hanged the words. Poets says that he wishes to dedicate his poems to him and name him as “Wordsworth”. Now Selig realizes that his goal of life is to help people in use of suitable words. Selig visits a bread, bun, biscuit seller’s shop. He provides him with words about taste, crispy, fresh, etc. Whenever people finds new words, they say that Wordsworth is suggested these words. He returns back to his family residence. His father provides him new shoes. When he moves out of his residence, he hears a sound of music. He follows the sound and finds a girl named Melody playing a harp. The two, Selig and Melody remain together. The importance of this book is that children are encouraged to learn new suitable words on their own. Coloured illustrations are help to the reader to understand the contents of the text.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: The main character, Selig, is passionate about collecting words. While his peers enjoy playing and hanging out with friends, Selig prefers writing down words that interest him on slips of paper that he carries around with him. Although Selig is made fun of by his peers, he receives affirmation from a genie who appears to him in a dream and counsels him to seek a purpose to match his passion. Selig then makes the world a better place by traveling and literally "spreading the word"--his words from his profuse collection.

Characteristics that Support the Genre: Roni Schotter’s book is full of whimsical illustrations that establish its setting.

Mentor Writing Traits: The plot is simple, but clearly developed. The theme is relevant and understandable for children, and the words are carefully selected to set the mood, create vivid images, and convey the theme. This would be a great mentor text to teach students word choice as part of a writing workshop session. The book can show students how to improve their writing during the revision stage of the writing process by adding more interesting and meaningful words.

Classroom Integration: This book could be used to introduce new vocabulary and get lower elementary students excited about learning new words. Reading this book to students is a great jumping off point for in-depth word study.

Other Suggestions: Encourage students to start their own collection of words.They could decorate a box to store words written on slips of paper.

Grades: PreK-2
Guided Reading Level: Q

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awards: Parents' Choice

Appropriate grade level(s):3-5th

Summary: Seling, also called Wordsworth, is a boy loves words and collects ones that he particularly enjoys. Because of this, he gets picked on by his peers. After meeting a genie in his sleep and finding his purpose, Seling, and many years later with his wife Melody, spreads the joy of words to everyone.

Review: I love the simple message this book gives to young readers- that being different is okay. Not only does this book teach a valuable life lesson, but it exposes children to new words they most likely have never heard before. Lastly, I like how this book includes a glossary so children can look up the definitions of newly learned words.

Possible in-class uses:
1)How to define newly learned words and use them in sentences
2)Can supplement how to use a thesaurus

[Corri Moran]

Selig loves words and collects them as someone may collect rocks. He received the nickname Wordsworth and was bullied for being an oddball, but he sets out to find his purpose. He soon realizes everyone searches for the perfect word sometimes, and he can provide them one.

This is a creative story about a young boy interested in words who is able to help others find the right word to use for any situation. I love how the author italicized the words in the glossary and provided kid-friendly definitions for these words they may have never heard while also using them in the text. This is a great way to introduce students to new words.

This book can be paired with Punished. The author uses figurative language and puns in the novel in a similar way.

"Already you have vhat what people search their whole life for-an enthusiasm, a passion."

[James Donald]

This book centers around Selig. He was captivated by words. Words inspired and uplifted him. His passion was dismissed by the villagers. A poet caused him to take a leap of faith and when everything was done, he found his purpose in spreading words (Schotter, R., & Potter, G. (2006). The boy who loved words. Schwartz & Wade Books).

In my classroom, I would utilize this book for preschool to third grade level as designated by Amazon. It is easy to read with many pictures for enjoyment in following along.

I would make this book part of my library because it shows the concept of pushing forward. It is a great lesson in using your gift to bring others together. It can also be used to show courage in the face of adversity.

[Mx. Krabappel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this with my 5th grade class as part of Module 1 of Open Up Resources Bookworms curriculum. Story wise, it is fine, maybe a tad dull so far as legends go. I also appreciated the glossary, and my students enjoyed making sentences using the new words. That said, the djinn part of the story is... problematic to say the least. It smacks of appropriation, offering not even a nod to the Islamic culture that brought us genies and djinns in the first place. And then, to make things weirder, the djinn speaks in a heavily exaggerated yiddish or maybe German accent? God, I hate reading this type of thing out loud in the classroom. There is so little humor in this story, this djinn bit feels too much like a laugh at someone else's (cultural) expense. Gross.

Come on, Bookworms. Do better.

[Gianna Petrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Parent's Choice Gold Award
2. Grades 3-5
3. This book is about a boy named Selig who loved words. It was obvious that his love for words made him different and isolated him from his peers. He learned that his love for words made him unique and that it was okay to be that way.
4. I love this book between the pictures and the context itself, this book is a must read for children. The best part about this book is that it has words in it that children aren't often expose to. Which ultimately has them learn new words without even knowing or trying.
5. I think a great project for this book would be to define each word in small groups by using the glossary in the back of the book.

[Elizabeth Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Selig who loves to collect words. Despite his passion for words, Selig realizes that he is missing a purpose. He sets out and finds that his purpose is to help others find the words they need. Despite finding a purpose, Selig is still lonely until he meets Melody, a girl with a passion for song. Together they help anyone who is in need of a word or a tune.

I loved this book. It was so cute and the illustrations were different than anything I had seen before.

This would be a great book to teach students more advanced vocabulary. It would also be a great tool for showing students how to integrate the new words they learn into their writing.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Boy Who Loved Words" by Roni Schotter is a wonderful book that can be utilized by both parents and teachers to get children interested in words. I love the overall concept of this book, how it tells a story about a boy while having the underlying theme that children have the innate desire to learn and should be curious to discovery new vocabulary in their learning; it may also inspire them to be excited to share their knowledge with others. The illustrations are abstract and unique, each one flowing from one page to the next with the words. I enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to both parents and teachers of early childhood education.

[Niquilla Blodgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes over the story of a boy who has his own individual interest of collecting words. He is different from many people his age and even in his own family, and this book goes over how he discovers to embrace what he thought used to be a negative trait. This book has a great moral message to embrace your differences and everyone has something to share with the world. This is great for younger elementary grades as well as upper elementary, because there is great vocabulary words you can pull into your lesson as well.

[So · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to come across this fun story. It's whimsical and would be a fun and inspiring read for kids and even adults like me.

It's more than just a story but about the words used in the book. The many descriptive meanings words can be read or enjoyed. I enjoyed the elaborate words used instead of its general word. Instead of saying that a work is boring, you'd say it's mundane or tedious. It really makes you rethink your vocabulary because we know these complicated words but always settle for simplicties.