The Unbelievable Origins of Snake Oil and Other Idioms

Gr 4-6-Each idiom in this series is given its own page, which is divided into three sections: meaning, origin (when known), and example sentences to help put the phrases in context (e.g., "Once in a blue moon, Meghan drank a soda with lunch instead of her usual vegetable juice."). The meanings are clear, and a humorous, literal cartoon drawing illustrates each idiom. For example, the picture corresponding to "burn the candle at both ends" is a candle burning from both ends. The volumes are not organized in any discernible way. Unlike Lerner's "It's Just an Expression" series, there is no main theme to tie the phrases together. Readers will not be able to distinguish what information each title contains without opening it up. The lack of back matter further weakens the set. α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.