As a fan of writing, including punctuation and puns, I got the biggest kick out of:
When we first encounter our hero, Period, that little piece of punctuation is inspired:
Period asks Paper and Pencil for a little help, but then realizes:
Enter Question Mark, who decides to—what do you think Question Mark does?
I’ll give you time to think….
As we follow along, Question Mark continues to pester Period with questions. Enter Exclamation Point, saying:
“I want to help too!”
At this point, I have only one quibble with the text. Where is comma??? Where is that pause, when you want it?
The banter between the punctuation marks , including Quotation Marks, Parentheses, and Colon, as they search for and find words, is hilarious, punny and spiked with visual gags.
In the end, they write their story, but decide that something is still missing! What do you think it is? I’ll give you a clue. Pencil can provide the answer.
And while I’m on the topic of pictures, the illustrator, Denise Holmes, brings these inanimate punctuation marks to life in wonderful, anthropomorphic ways. I wish my photos did the colors justice, as they are much more saturated than can be seen here.
Read this book to a classroom of kids (or to just one), and I guarantee they’ll be inspired to fill their paper with stories, proper punctuation, and pictures. I would, however, ask them to identify and use that one pesky piece of punctation that’s missing from this book, the comma.
Happy Writing!
Jilanne Hoffmann 
What a clever idea for a kids’ book. Sounds wonderful.
Quite creative. Makes learning this writing stuff more fun, something I’m all for. When I think of past years’ struggles with my son…
Sound like ! [yes, that’s the title :)] which I love….looking forward to seeing this book.
It’s really well done. I think you and some kiddos will enjoy it!
Really clever idea for a picture book. I think we can all relate. Lovely share!
Yes, it’s a brilliant idea and well executed. Thanks, Pat.
I like the simple illustrations and text. I can see this book being an engaging way to teach punctuation and inspire writing. Thanks for sharing it.
Yes, I’m taking my copy to our school library. I think it’s going to be very popular with teachers.
Well, just maybe this is one for us big ones too. Because punctuation seems to have gone feral, generally, I’m appalled that even those of us who learned the rules properly an age ago, founder. I’m speaking personally here, and as one with a degree in Eng. Lit – but I find myself gauche and tongue-tied, like some socially inept pre-teen, in the presence of semi-colons and colons. How do I make meaningful conversation with them…I just don’t know what to say!
Ah, yes, I believe semi-colons and colons should not be held responsible for their lack of user friendliness when it comes to conversation. And I believe your point about the feral qualities of punctuation, in general, is legitimate. What to do about all this? We cannot merely roll over and give in to the Tweeting down of communication. Perhaps mandatory re-reading of Strunk & White every year?
A fun way to learn punctuation!
The story that the punctuation create is hilarious, too, so I think it will inspire kids to create their own silly stories. Gets them off on the right foot, you know?
How charming! And very meta!
Yes! I love it when meta picture books work well. There’s another I just found out about called “This Book Just Ate My Dog!” It’s interactive and funny, too.
Charming title!
I know a few adults would benefit from this too haha!
So very true. Cheers! Hope you’re doing well.
I hope I am doing well, there was a warning for an imminent 7.1 magnitude earthquake so that could be interesting.
Oh dear. We just went through a tsunami watch in San Francisco, following the 7.9 (or 8.6) earthquake off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska. Thank goodness, it never materialized. Hope you’re living in a solid structure. Take care.
I’m glad all there are safe, I am assured that I am in a safe area but hopefully I won’t need to find out.
Julianne: I love this review and look forward to reading the book. As a writer and ELA/SAT tutor, I spend a lot of time teaching punctuation. Boo boo about the missing comma! I’m such a fan of properly used commas and am thrilled to find a kindred spirit. I invite you to check out my post on Writer’s Rumpus called Commonly Confused Commas.
Thank you, Laura. I think you’ll find the book quite entertaining. I’ll take a look at your post on the Rumpus. Thanks for stopping by!