The Grammar Kingdom serves as an instructional guide to teach young readers about parts of speech.

The book is instructive, without an overarching plot. The kingdom it describes is populated by frogs, and each frog serves a grammar-related role. For example, the king is a noun; each of his sons is a type of noun (compound noun, proper noun, etc.); the viscount is a verb; and the kingdom’s prefect is a preposition.

Each character is introduced with an explanation of their role (“Prefect Preposition likes to advise King Noun and all his assembly on how they should sit or stand [….] A preposition is a word that tells us where something is or when something happens).” This is followed by several examples of that part of speech in a sentence, with the part of speech bolded.

The book ends with a recap explaining why each part of speech is important and how the parts bring meaning and beauty when joined together.

This book is engaging and lighthearted, and the personalities of the court may help some young readers more easily memorize the parts of speech. Sometimes, the direction gives readers a nice visual, such as noting that Consultant Conjunction helps sentences “hold hands.”

Note, however, that it only covers parts of speech, setting aside tense, syntax, or other important grammar elements. It also includes some proofreading errors, such as using the plural possessive “the princes’ jumped” when possessive is not required (such mistakes are particularly egregious in a grammar guide).

The illustrations are colorful and lively but somewhat inconsistent: The style shifts on one page from vibrant and detailed to soft and whimsical. Other discrepancies also lend a sense of disconnection, such as whether the frogs wear shoes or not.

Still, The Grammar Kingdom imparts a valuable grammar lesson that children should find entertaining.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.