Book Review: “Exclamation Points Say Wow” by Michael Dahl

Recommended reading age: 5 to 8 (though kids of all ages can enjoy reading this with their families)

What Makes This One of the Best Children’s Books

Learning about punctuation can be exciting! Dazzling! Thrilling! Really!

Readers can expect this same high-octane energy on every page of Michael Dahl’s exuberant book “Exclamation Points Say Wow,” part of his highly engaging book series about punctuation.

And this exhilarating approach makes sense. What else could anyone expect in a book about exclamation marks?

Engrossing young readers on this topic might seem a challenging task.

But Dahl’s snappy combination of a loose narrative and deliciously corny jokes – paired with Chris Garbutt’s jaunty illustrations of adorably anthropomorphized exclamation marks – make this book an absolute riot that children will want to repeatedly reread (my son in preschool certainly did).

This book, in fact, covers two topics: exclamation points and theater.

The story features a group of lively exclamation marks taking on the tremendous task of putting on a theater production. While doing so, they provide a comprehensive demonstration of the many, many ways exclamation marks can be used.

Exclamation marks are always used with sound effects, for instance, which the book shows while the peppy punctuation characters prepare the sets, lighting and costumes for their production.

They’re also used in times of excitement, loudness and urgency, as demonstrated at the show’s ticket stand, and in a backstage calamity with electrical equipment.

And exclamation marks show enthusiasm, clearly portrayed when a character gushes compliments about a costume.

Every line of the characters’ energetic dialogue is hilarious and fun, and guaranteed to hold kids’ attention.

The best part is, as children giggle at the exclamation marks’ campy antics, they absorb the numerous rules of using this punctuation.

On top of that, readers gain appreciation for the variety of professionals involved with a theater production, like the backstage crew members, costume designers, performers and ticket sellers.

Families will find this a joyful read, with many lessons to absorb! I mean it!

How My Child Reacted to This Book

My son’s enthusiasm for this book matches the giddiness of the exclamation-mark characters. We have checked it out many times from the library, and every time we read it, he cackles over every silly joke.

He also asks me to read the characters’ joyful, anxious and demanding remarks again and again and again.

At this point, I can confidently call my son an exclamation-mark expert.

Potential Conversations and Activities to Pair with This Book

Families can easily weave “Exclamation Points Say Wow,” into further discussions about its two fun topics.

While reading it with my son, I point out all the different exclamation marks working on the show, and I chat about how lots of different people work together to put on a theater production.

Families can also practice using exclamation marks. I occasionally read a few sentences to my son and ask him which one would use an exclamation mark (when in the mood, he typically does well).

If children seem especially engrossed in the theater aspects of the story, families can even attempt putting on their own show. This could include drawing and coloring on paper to make sets, dressing up with various items from the closet for costumes, and writing out a simple script together.

Fun will be had by all!

More Children’s Books Like This

Adventurous and Fun, ‘Little Red Writing’ Teaches Kids Parts of Speech

‘Camille and the Sunflowers’ – The Story of a Real Boy Who Befriended Vincent van Gogh

‘Bats in the Band’ – Introducing Kids to Musical Instruments with Furry Friends