Grammar-Land: Grammar in Fun for the Children of Schoolroom-Shire

Before the days of Schoolhouse Rock’s jingles like “Conjunction Junction,” there was the playful primer "Grammar-Land," which has been teaching children (and adults in need of a refresher) the basic rules of English grammar since its first publication in 1878.In the allegorical world of Grammar-Land, the nine parts of speech—rich Mr. Noun, his useful friend Pronoun, little ragged Article, talkative Adjective, busy Dr. Verb and Adverb, perky Preposition, convenient Conjunction, and irksome Interjection—are brought to trial by Judge Grammar to settle disputes over the rules of language. Each part of speech is called in turn to take the stand, where they are questioned by Doctor Syntax and Sergeant Parsing. In the course of the amusing trial, the reader, perhaps without even realizing it, is exposed to the most important rules of grammar.Review“A schoolmarm’s dream—a little orange book that that aims to teach grammar, that hallowed ‘art of speaking and writing a language with propriety.’ Nesbitt’s take on English grammar is as whimsical as it is authoritarian, making this the kind of book that every imaginative, word-obsessed child should keep under her pillow.”—New Yorker Book Bench blogAbout the Author:M. L. Nesbitt is the author of several books for children, including “Harold’s Choice” and “Charlie’s Choice.” Read more