Delores Thesaurus

Written by Jessica Lee Hutchings
Illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
Published September 12, 2018

Why we chose this book:
A book about a kid who loves learning new words? Sounds like someone I know...
A review copy was provided by Flowerpot Press.

Mom's Review

A funny tale of what might happen when you use the wrong words. Delores Thesaurus encourages expanding one's vocabulary genuinely.

Delores enjoys learning big words that adults use. She listens carefully throughout the day, writes down new terms, and asks her teacher about them the following day. This book follows her trip to town on the day a pelican suddenly seizes her bag. Unable to induce any nearby adults to help her, she decides that if she sounds more grownup, they will listen to her. What unfolds is a comedic chain of events where she uses words like "nefarious," "feeble," and  "careen" without knowing what they mean; everyone is confused. One kind shopkeeper takes the time to listen to her and decipher Delores's message. Together they retrieve the bag from the bird. The shopkeeper explains to Delores why everyone was confused and offers her a dictionary. Delores is thrilled and calls herself Delores Dictionary at the end.

Included with the review copy was a pair of Delores glasses, which T immediately put on and wore everywhere for the next two days. He was interested in the book, but more interested in the glasses to start. After the novelty of the glasses wore off, he seemed to suddenly become enthusiastic about the book: "Can we read Delores Thesaurus with lunch?" "Let's read Delores Dictionary again." "Maybe we could sit down and read Delores Thesaurus."  Although many of the Delores's new "grown-up" words were confusing to him at first, we discussed what they meant, and he found the story funny. He especially liked the pelican's antics - they continue in the background even after Delores has her briefcase back.

I, too, found the book funny, and I enjoyed introducing fun, new words to T. I also liked the moral: expand your vocabulary to enhance your communication skills, but do not use words without understanding them, lest you stymie your own endeavor. The illustrator includes many of Delores's new words in the illustrations, like in the bridal shop sign reading "Astound" in the background. And the end papers are Delores's thesaurus and dictionary notes. And it rhymes nicely, so it's easy to slip into an enjoyable sing-song. Between the illustrations, the storyline, the fun vocabulary, and the underlying encouragement to expand one's vocabulary organically, this is an all-out fun book!

Or, as Delores might say, this publication is tremendous indeed!

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)

While reading:
Mom: "...nefarious -"

Son, interrupting: What does that mean?

Mom: Villainous. I would say that Joker is nefarious. Whom would you describe as nefarious?

Son: Mr. Freeze!
________________________________
Mom: Do you think she knew the word "languid"? What do you think she wants to tell the grown-ups? And what do you think she wants them to do?

Son: No. That the pelican is eating it [the bag]. To stop the pelican.

After reading:
Mom: What did Delores learn about using big words?

Son: That she should explain what they mean.

Mom: How do you learn what big words mean?

Son: By reading books!

Mom: Who helps Delores?

Son: A shopkeeper.

Mom: What would you say to Delores if you could meet her?

Son: I would think that all of us could explore words. That's what I would think.

Mom: How would you explore words with her? Tell me more.

Son: I would just do that. I just would want to do that. You explore words by writing them off.
(I think he means writing them down.)

Mom: Where do you find the words?

Son: In different places. Like in the city.

Mom: When would it be a good time to read this book?

Son: When I don't understand a word.

Mom: If you could meet the author, what would you say to her? What would you ask her?

Son: That I really like it [the book]. That I really like the books that you write. I wouldn't have any questions.

Mom: Do you have any favorite words?

Son: Trick-or-treat!

Mom: What's the most important thing to know about this book?

Son: That it's about words.

Mom: What's your favorite part?

Son: Where the bird catches the pink attaché.