"Students pick these novels up for quick reads during DEAR or for pure enjoyment — but they almost always end up learning something." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm? Why is good health compared to a small stringed instrument? ('As fit as a fiddle.') And what do pickles have to do with quandaries? Let's not beat about the bush: despite the fact that we have all used these phrases at one time or another, and even enjoyed expressing them, they are in truth — when you take a moment to consider them — completely senseless and utterly fantastical. We all know what somebody means when they use these phrases due to our common knowledge of them, but it wouldn't be surprising if, when asked to explain them, you found that the cat had got your tongue, or you simply clammed up! "Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas" provides us with the meanings to these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used. Absorbing, diverting and fascinating — as far as Christmas gifts go, "Spilling the Beans" really is the bee's knees! "
Why I read this: I have found that my students really enjoy this quirky "for your information" novels ("I Used to Know That, " "A Certain 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' "). They pick these novels up for quick reads during DEAR (drop everything and read) or for pure enjoyment — but they almost always end up learning something. I love having these novels in my classroom for students to explore. "Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pajamas" is no different; students are amazed to find out where common phrases that they use come from. We now do a different "Where Did It Come From" activity each day and then I show off this novel. It's a great opening activity and something that the students are very much interested in.
Cover: The one downfall to this series of books are the covers; unless I direct students to these novels, they won't pick them up simply because the covers are boring. I think if they spiced up the covers a bit more people (my students included) would be more apt to explore the knowledge inside.
Random Thoughts:A few of my favorite sayings covered in this book are: another nail in the coffin, baker's dozen, and see a man about a dog. Actually, a couple years ago I was working with someone who didn't know what a baker's dozen was; he sincerely thought I was making it up. I remember laughing so hard I thought my spleen would burst! After reading the explanation, I couldn't help but email him:
"Sam,
My students and I are currently talking about where common phrases come from and one that we discovered was "the baker's dozen." I remember a bit of confusion a couple years ago and immediately thought of you. Here is what we found:
"A baker's dozen is 13, one more than the standard dozen. This phrase is widely held to date back to medieval England. Henry III instituted a reign called the Assize of Bread and Ale that called for the severe punishment of any baker's caught shortchanging customers. English bakers developed the habit of including an extra loaf of bread when asked for a dozen to ensure that if one were stolen, dropped, or lost, they wouldn't be accused of shorting their customers."
I'm not sure why the term stuck around or why the thirteen of us continued to discuss it for so long, but it's something that I remember laughing about.
I hope all is well! Stay warm!"
Final Thoughts: Despite the lacking cover, I love having this book in my hands and can't wait for the next in the series of novels — you never know what knowledge you'll uncover.
Originality: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10
Style: 5/5
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 29/35 B
To the FTC, with love: Received from Publisher