Colossal Words by Colette Hiller
You could likely ask anyone if they have a favourite word and get something different everytime. This book will have children learning and loving new words!
Colette, you have created an impressive book of tremendous words! How did you choose the words you wanted to use?
I wanted to choose useful words that children would actually want to use! A word like ‘unbiased’ may seem advanced for a 7-year-old, but what child doesn’t understand the principal of fairness? And who’d ever want to say, ‘second to last’ when instead you could say ‘penultimate’? If a child can understand a concept, then they’re ready to learn the word.
How long did it take to write your rhymes for the 75 words?
These were written during the pandemic, so around 2 years. The rhymes may look simple, but they can be surprisingly time-consuming to write. Each is like trying to solve a tricky puzzle: How to define a word concisely, with clarity and rhythm. And be mildly amusing!
You have chosen some brilliant quotes to appear throughout the book – had you chosen these ahead of time?
Finding the quotes was a joy and gives the book an important connection with literature. It was thrilling to find a quote that perfectly illustrated the word in meaningful context. For example, take the quote for the word ‘Retaliate’. It often requires more courage not to strike back than to retaliate, Booker T. Washington
What did you think of the illustrations created by Tor Freeman?
Tor’s illustrations are lively and entertaining, but they also have an important function. Each image reinforces the meaning of the word. For example, the word acrimonious shows two people arguing fiercely, right across the rhyme. The rhyme for effervescent is inside a glass of fizzy soda and for meander, young Amanda meanders off the page!
Were there any words that had to be left out of the book?
I spent ages writing a rhyme for the word hue. I think I was enticed by the notion of hues of blues. But alas my definition wasn’t quite accurate: a hue is not in fact a shade, as I’ve since learned! Another word was dropped because it really was too obscure. Still, it remains a favourite and it’s dying for a little outing. So here it is for good measure:
Abstruse
If this definition
Was actually abstruse
You wouldn’t understand it then
(which wouldn’t be much use!)
Could there be room for another version with more words?
Oh, wouldn’t that be nice! I’m already collecting words to include and I would welcome suggestions!
Colette Hiller is the author of Colossal Words for Kids, published by Quarto (Frances Lincoln) on May 9, 2024.
