Whata (What do) Ewe (You) “Mean”” Bye (By) That?: The Secrets About The English Language”

In a realm dominated by multimedia learning tools, a straight-forward handbook on navigating the maze of homonyms in the English language is a welcome thing. The subtitle for Whata {What Do} Ewe {You} “Mean” Bye {By} That? by Sondra Smith is: A QUICK Reference Book, a claim which proves true.

“This is not a dictionary,” Smith writes in the brief introduction, “Nor is it intended to be. It is a quick reference book of often misused and misspelled words.”

Not only a book for students–and writers–to better their writing skills with, but this handy hardback may prove helpful for those learning English as a second language. Written in large, clear print, the pages harbor the more common homonyms and their meanings, listed alphabetically for swift access. While reading, one can hardly fail to appreciate Smith’s sense of humor or her apparent inability to pass up an opportunity for a play-on-words. The authoress’ dedication also caught my eye, not only going out to her husband but also to her daughter and her son-in-law, both who taught English at the Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, China.

With an obvious love for learning, Smith utilizes the white spaces at the ends of various sections with “Did You Know” facts, lines for notes, puns and “silly” questions that actually help speed up the learning process. This book has earned a place on my desk.