Do Not Say These Words – Frances Tosdevin; illustrator, Rhian Wright – Bookshine And Readbows

*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author and Graeme Williams of Graeme Williams Marketing. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Blurb: Certain words are making children giggle. Giggling produces giggle-gas. And giggle-gas is bad for the planet. The Professor needs YOUR help to save the world. Gigglesome words are BANNED, and are being replaced with boring, totally unfunny words. So you must never, EVER say these dangerous words again. And you DEFINITELY can’t giggle. OK?

Try and keep a straight face from start to finish as you read this hilarious, world-wobbling story. The future of the planet depends on it …

Illustrated by Rhian Wright.

This very serious and scientific book explores the dangers to the planet caused by children giggling excessively and wisely warns which words should be avoided to avert potentially catastrophic consequences.

OR this is a hilarious riot of a book filled with wacky wordplay, silliness and plenty of potty humour that children (and adults reading aloud to them) can really have some fun with. Because not only does the author offer some giggle-worthy words within these pages, she encourages readers to come up with their own!

There is no real story or plot here, but the enthusiasm for wordplay is infectious (and the little cartoon science-lizards are really cute!), so Minishine and Babybows and their cousins, Starshine and Sparkleshine, had great fun trying not to giggle as they shouted out their own variations for ‘earwax’ or ‘burp’. Plus the illustrations are great – bright and busy, with lots of funny little details to spot on each read through.

Here’s what Babybows (9) and Minishine (12) had to say about the book:

Babybows: It made me laugh loads – oops, sorry! – and it made me insult my mum too!

Me: The book didn’t actually make you do that, to be fair. You just got a bit carried away with the giddy cheekiness of it all.

Minishine: Well, I really liked it too, especially the purple-and-green lizard that did funny expressions. It’s a very funny, silly book and the pictures are really good too – all colourful and added more story to behind the words.

Babybows: Yes, the pictures are really colourful and funny, but it is the WORDS that are really important and might make the world wobble. We made up some words of our own too.

Me: We did! To help out with this very serious issue, we came up with some non-gigglesome alternative words of our own, which we proudly present here:

Babybows: Mine is that armpits are now Whiffy Underarms!

Mr Shine: Hairy legs are Fuzzy Walk Stalks!

Me: Bellies are Wobbly Lunch-Munchers!

Minishine: Wee is Splashy Stench Water!

Me: We all giggled quite a lot reading this book and coming up with words… do you think we were supposed to?

Minishine: I think that you are supposed to try NOT to laugh, but then you’re not expecting it so it makes you laugh MORE!

Babybows: I think you ARE just supposed to laugh really, because why would they make it so funny otherwise?!

Great for reading aloud – although probably not at bedtime, as it may get a bit riotous! – this picture book offers tongue-twisting challenges for adults as they navigate the ‘world-wobbling words’ and sparks creativity (and a little cheekiness!) in children. Plus there are obvious follow-on activities you could encourage, like we did in coming up with our own words, making it educational too (if you set aside the physics of ‘giggle-gas’).

Only treat little gigglers to this thought-provoking tome if you don’t mind them randomly shouting things like FART! and SQUIRTLE-PLOP! for days afterwards… you have been warned!

Purchase Link: Do Not Say These Words on Amazon

About the author

My name is Frances and I write picture books.   With picture book texts, it’s all about the words… how they sound, how they feel  and what they do to your reader. I love words, even more than I love drinking tea –  and that’s saying something! (I am the only person I know to have an actual tea drawer!) My earliest fixation on words was when, as a  tiny tot, I was given “A Child’s Garden of Verses” by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Brian Wildsmith.  This book helped define my childhood, and my childhood defined me. It was the blissful union of words and vibrant pictures that brought these poems to life – combined with  the way my very poetic mother always read them with all the stresses in just the correct places, poetically speaking. Like poetry, picture books are born to be read aloud. To be tasted, chewed, savoured, and finally swallowed with a satisfying “Ah!” – leaving just enough room, of course, for some sneaky second helpings!

Website: https://francestosdevin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frances_tosdevin/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/FrancesTosdevin

About the illustrator

Hello!

I’m an artist and illustrator from the UK, specialising in children’s illustration.

One thing about me is that I love to draw. I can pretty much draw anything you like – spooky stuff, sweet stuff or funny stuff, hairy genies, squabbling pigeons or even a colony of frogs, all in splendid hats. So if you have a bright idea, then I’d love to hear from you

Website: https://www.rhianwrightillustration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhian_wright_illustration