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Words Are CATegorical ®
Under, Over, by the Clover: What Is a Preposition?
Outstanding book for teaching grammar to children
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
22 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 8, 2025
Brian P. Cleary’s Under, Over, By the Clover is the kind of book that reminds you why language nerds can be dangerous in the best possible way.
This is not your stodgy “memorize the rules” grammar manual; this is a technicolor carnival of prepositions, where the words leap off the page wearing party hats and juggling your childhood sense of wonder.
Cleary takes the most overlooked part of speech—the preposition, the linguistic glue that holds sentences together—and treats it like the headline act at a rock concert. You think you know prepositions? You don’t. By the time he’s done, you’ll be whispering sweet nothings like “beneath” and “throughout” as if they were long-lost lovers.
The rhymes are playful without sliding into “trying too hard” territory, and the illustrations (by the ever-zany Jenya Prosmitsky) are pure visual espresso shots—bright, chaotic, and perfectly matched to the text’s bounce. The combination turns what could be a dull grammar lecture into a sugar rush of wordplay. This is Schoolhouse Rock! for a new generation, minus the polyester bell-bottoms.
There’s also a sly pedagogical genius at work. The rhythm and repetition ensure that kids (and more than a few adults) absorb the definitions without realizing it. By the end, you’ve not only laughed but also unconsciously memorized a small army of prepositions. Cleary has weaponized fun for educational purposes—a public service, really.
Now, is this going to replace a style manual? No. Is it going to make a seven-year-old giggle while they learn?
Absolutely.
And for teachers, parents, or anyone who’s ever watched a student’s eyes glaze over at the mere mention of “grammar,” this book is your secret weapon. It sneaks in learning like a parent sneaks vegetables into mac and cheese—only here, the vegetables are words like “beyond” and “beside,” and the mac and cheese is joy.
In short: Cleary has taken the humble preposition, polished it up, and sent it tap-dancing into our hearts. It’s linguistic mischief with a purpose—a reminder that language learning doesn’t have to be grim, and that sometimes the smallest words can make the biggest difference.
Verdict: 5/5. Buy it, gift it, wave it in the face of anyone who thinks grammar can’t be fun.
This is not your stodgy “memorize the rules” grammar manual; this is a technicolor carnival of prepositions, where the words leap off the page wearing party hats and juggling your childhood sense of wonder.
Cleary takes the most overlooked part of speech—the preposition, the linguistic glue that holds sentences together—and treats it like the headline act at a rock concert. You think you know prepositions? You don’t. By the time he’s done, you’ll be whispering sweet nothings like “beneath” and “throughout” as if they were long-lost lovers.
The rhymes are playful without sliding into “trying too hard” territory, and the illustrations (by the ever-zany Jenya Prosmitsky) are pure visual espresso shots—bright, chaotic, and perfectly matched to the text’s bounce. The combination turns what could be a dull grammar lecture into a sugar rush of wordplay. This is Schoolhouse Rock! for a new generation, minus the polyester bell-bottoms.
There’s also a sly pedagogical genius at work. The rhythm and repetition ensure that kids (and more than a few adults) absorb the definitions without realizing it. By the end, you’ve not only laughed but also unconsciously memorized a small army of prepositions. Cleary has weaponized fun for educational purposes—a public service, really.
Now, is this going to replace a style manual? No. Is it going to make a seven-year-old giggle while they learn?
Absolutely.
And for teachers, parents, or anyone who’s ever watched a student’s eyes glaze over at the mere mention of “grammar,” this book is your secret weapon. It sneaks in learning like a parent sneaks vegetables into mac and cheese—only here, the vegetables are words like “beyond” and “beside,” and the mac and cheese is joy.
In short: Cleary has taken the humble preposition, polished it up, and sent it tap-dancing into our hearts. It’s linguistic mischief with a purpose—a reminder that language learning doesn’t have to be grim, and that sometimes the smallest words can make the biggest difference.
Verdict: 5/5. Buy it, gift it, wave it in the face of anyone who thinks grammar can’t be fun.
June 13, 2010
Cleary's playful yet contrived rhymes add fun to a book overtly teaching a part of speech, prepositions, but that could also give kids inspiration to create wacky poetry of their own. Rhyming "direction" with "wrecked shin" somehow works, and I have to applaud that. As in his other books, the concept of a preposition becomes clear by the end, where the reader needs to answer, "What is a preposition? Do you know?" All of the prepositions in the book are highlighted, and when he addresses usage, the issue of ending a sentence with a preposition, he clearly shows why it is ridiculous to avoid ending sentences with prepositions. In all, this book is a good selection to aid teaching children about prepositions.
April 4, 2011
Great book on prepositions! Many students aren't introduced to the term preposition until later in elementary school, but its relevance is undeniable. Personally, I struggled with this concept for a while simply because it wasn't properly explained to me. Literacy in all of it dimensions is important, but it is also important that students understand how many ways they can manipulate their writing to make it do what they want. This is a FUN book for introducing prepositions and showing how useful they can be! I'd definitely use this in my class by having them describe where things are located in the classroom or even outside and then discussing how prepositions helped them relay clarity to their classmates.
July 7, 2020
This starts with a definition of a preposition as "A word that connects a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence." I kid you not.
The text itself is accurate enough, but the pictures and sort-of-story are probably so amusing and distracting that a learner will not get much out of this book.
No 'further reading,' no lesson plan suggestions or bonus activities.
Read Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions instead. While it's true that the pictures there are beautiful, they aren't as distracting, as there's no story arc. And while it's true that there are no addendum there, either, the book itself is an effective lesson.
(Read for July 2020 Children's Books group.)
The text itself is accurate enough, but the pictures and sort-of-story are probably so amusing and distracting that a learner will not get much out of this book.
No 'further reading,' no lesson plan suggestions or bonus activities.
Read Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions instead. While it's true that the pictures there are beautiful, they aren't as distracting, as there's no story arc. And while it's true that there are no addendum there, either, the book itself is an effective lesson.
(Read for July 2020 Children's Books group.)
July 10, 2012
We really enjoy Brian P. Cleary's books. He makes learning fun, and this is a silly and humorous rhyming book about prepositions. His books really entertain children while teaching them basic concepts; our girls really like them. The illustrations by Brian Gable are cartoony and cute, too - we love the cats.
We've read several of the books in the Words are CATegorical series and we've really enjoyed them. We will certainly look for more books by this author/illustrator team at our local library.
We've read several of the books in the Words are CATegorical series and we've really enjoyed them. We will certainly look for more books by this author/illustrator team at our local library.
September 25, 2014
A fun picture book to introduce those often forgotten prepositions!
This parts of speech series, Words Are CATegorical is ideal for introducing the basics.
This parts of speech series, Words Are CATegorical is ideal for introducing the basics.
May 24, 2017
We love this series and how it introduces parts of speech in a fun way. This one is no exception. This book puts each preposition in color. My son is having a hard time identifying prepositions in sentences. This not only shows what common prepositions are but also how they can be used properly. It shows prepositions at the end of sentences which some grammarians don't approve of.
September 14, 2017
This book is full of prepositional phrases that are strung together in cute rhyme. However, these strings have periods as though they are sentences, most of which contain no subjects or verbs. It's rather disturbing for a book proposing to teach grammar!
October 29, 2020
the date you completed reading the book:10-29-20
a star rating (1 to 5): 5
the date: 10-29-20
the genre: poetry
appropriate grade range: 1-3
a written book review:
A great way to intro a lesson about prepositions or to help reinforce the lesson.
a star rating (1 to 5): 5
the date: 10-29-20
the genre: poetry
appropriate grade range: 1-3
a written book review:
A great way to intro a lesson about prepositions or to help reinforce the lesson.
November 1, 2018
The illustrations were funny. This book is a good book for students to read if they are trying to learn what a preposition is.
September 12, 2019
This is a short picture book that covers prepositions with vibrant illustrations and animals. This is a great book for students beginning to learn prepositions.
April 17, 2023
This was a fun book that helps students understand what a preposition is. These series of books use rhyme to help students remember the concept and are always so well illustrated.
March 20, 2017
As with all the others in this series, I got these to share with my children as a fun and cute way to discuss language and have not been disappointed. They are cute and engaging for kids.
March 7, 2021
Grade Level: 2nd-5th Genre: Informational
This book is great to introduce prepositions or even finish with it. It helps make sure the reader really knows what a preposition means and how it can be used.
This book is great to introduce prepositions or even finish with it. It helps make sure the reader really knows what a preposition means and how it can be used.
March 6, 2017
This is such a cute book to teach kids about prepositions! The illustrations are adorable, and I think it does a great job of explaining this part of speech. My only quibble is that I think it ends too abruptly.
Read
May 1, 2019Genre: Single Poem Book
Awards: None
Audience: Ages 8-10
A. This type of poetry is in lyric because the entire book is almost "sing-songy" with the rhymes easily flowing with one another.
B. The author uses rhyme to help the readers become more interested in the idea of prepositions.
C. Can you create a rhyme about what you just learned about prepositions? (Just look high, then look low, and you will see all the snow.)
Awards: None
Audience: Ages 8-10
A. This type of poetry is in lyric because the entire book is almost "sing-songy" with the rhymes easily flowing with one another.
B. The author uses rhyme to help the readers become more interested in the idea of prepositions.
C. Can you create a rhyme about what you just learned about prepositions? (Just look high, then look low, and you will see all the snow.)
May 3, 2020
Trait: organization, word choice,and sentence fluency.
ATOS: 3.2
Lexile: 420L
This book teaches grammar in such an interesting and fun way! It takes the rhythm and rhyme of Dr. Seuss, yet adds great educational information. A great way to introduce a lesson on grammar or give to students who need an additional way to see the grammar information.
ATOS: 3.2
Lexile: 420L
This book teaches grammar in such an interesting and fun way! It takes the rhythm and rhyme of Dr. Seuss, yet adds great educational information. A great way to introduce a lesson on grammar or give to students who need an additional way to see the grammar information.
September 26, 2015
We borrowed this book for Classical Conversations Cycle 1.
My kids (6, 4 and 2) loved this book! They thought the rhymes and illustrations were quite funny. They also started getting the concept of what prepositions are as words. I will definitely keep this one on the list to get 3 years from now when we revisit Cycle 1!
My kids (6, 4 and 2) loved this book! They thought the rhymes and illustrations were quite funny. They also started getting the concept of what prepositions are as words. I will definitely keep this one on the list to get 3 years from now when we revisit Cycle 1!
August 23, 2010
Part of the "Words are CATegorical" series, this book shows rather than tells the reader what a preposition is. The format definitely is appealing and all the cats will help make grammar "PU-R-R-R-FECT"!
August 5, 2016
Just a rhyming picture book that helps explain how to identify prepositions. Not amazing or anything, but helpful. School House Rock is still the best thing I know to help explain grammatical topics.
June 23, 2015
Great use of sight words in this book. This does a great job of teaching students different placement words. There could be many activities to go along this that allowed students to not only learn new words but also their meanings and put that into practice. Great teaching tool!
March 10, 2009
I am loving this series (Words are CATegorical). The author and illustrator give a great show and tell about prepositions. In all its silliness the lesson is clearly understood.
May 17, 2010
A great book for introducing young children to English grammar and the use of prepositions by placing them in silly rhyming sentences with funny cartoon character illustrations.
April 17, 2011
A book of prepositions!! Another awesome book filled with great info by Brian P. Cleary.
July 25, 2011
"on a list of books recomended for teaching books to students on themes and ideasprepositions a quarky book showing the use of prepositions in sentence structures and their gramatic rules
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August 9, 2011
Great book for teaching (supplementing) grammar lessons
Part of a series
Part of a series
May 23, 2012
Another great book by Cleary on grammar rules. I highly recommend all his books as he explains grammatical rules in a clear way.
September 3, 2012
Good book introducing prepositions. I really enjoyed it, but the different type was difficult for an early reader.
April 13, 2016
Still confused about ending a sentence with a preposition.
October 13, 2016
Book to teach about preposition in a playful way. It was hard for me to retain things though and Im an ELL age 35.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews