World of Language

Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions

... Show More
Through clever, rhyming text and boldly colorful illustrations, students and language lovers of all ages will enjoy exploring Ruth Heller's world of prepositions. "To say that Heller has a way with words is to understate a multifaceted talent."-- Publishers Weekly "Rhyming text...provides many examples of prepositions as well as some rules of usage. Large, colorful drawings illustrate the words imaginatively." -- Booklist

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 16 votes)
5 stars
6(38%)
4 stars
5(31%)
3 stars
5(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
16 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is a truly great book that focuses on prepositions.

It stands out due to its unique and captivating pictures.

The illustrations not only make the learning process more engaging but also help readers better understand the usage and meaning of different prepositions.

Each page is filled with colorful and detailed images that bring the concepts to life.

Whether you are a beginner or someone looking to enhance your knowledge of prepositions, this book is an excellent choice.

It offers a fun and interactive way to learn, making it suitable for both children and adults.

The combination of clear explanations and vivid pictures makes it easy to grasp even the most complex prepositional concepts.

Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in improving their English language skills or simply exploring the world of prepositions.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Love this series!

It truly is an amazing collection that has captured my heart. Each installment is filled with excitement, adventure, and captivating storylines that keep me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives and root for them. The world-building is also top-notch, creating a rich and immersive environment that I can't get enough of. Whether it's the thrilling action scenes or the emotional moments that tug at my heartstrings, this series has it all. I find myself eagerly anticipating each new release, eager to see what new twists and turns the story will take. It's no wonder that I love this series so much, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Gorgeous illustrations truly highlight this remarkable book about prepositions.

I had a strong desire to obtain a few educational books for our girls during their summer break from school, and this one was undoubtedly both appropriate and highly entertaining.

This is an incredibly fun book to read aloud. The illustrations are simply wonderful, and the rhyming narrative has such a charm that it makes you completely forget that you are actually learning something. In fact, on occasion, I found myself having to stop and reread a particular part to ensure that we all grasped the point and weren't just completely mesmerized by the lyrical narrative and the fanciful illustrations. We hadn't delved too deeply into the topic of prepositions before, but our girls understood the concept very well.

We have thoroughly enjoyed reading the books in the World of Language series by Ruth Heller. And we will most definitely be on the lookout for more of the books in her other series at our local library.

We are excited to see what other educational and engaging books she has in store for us to explore and enjoy.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Ellie rates this 2 stars and Jacob 1 star.

Ellie's rating of 2 stars indicates that she has a somewhat favorable impression of the item or service in question. It suggests that there are certain aspects that she likes or finds satisfactory. However, it also implies that there are areas where it could be improved or that didn't quite meet her expectations fully.

On the other hand, Jacob's rating of 1 star shows a more negative assessment. He may have been disappointed with the overall experience or found several significant flaws. Perhaps the quality didn't match his standards, or the functionality was lacking.

These different ratings highlight the subjectivity of evaluations. What one person considers acceptable or good, another may not. It also emphasizes the importance of considering multiple perspectives when making a decision or forming an opinion about something.

Overall, the ratings given by Ellie and Jacob provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the item or service, and can help others make a more informed choice.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I have a profound love for Ruth Heller's books as they have been extremely beneficial in assisting my kids to gain a better understanding of grammar.

Among her wonderful works, the one specifically about prepositions is truly delightful.

The book presents the concept of prepositions in such an engaging and accessible way that it immediately captures the attention of children.

Ruth Heller uses vivid illustrations and simple yet effective explanations to make learning grammar a fun and enjoyable experience.

My kids have not only learned about prepositions but also developed a greater interest in the English language as a whole.

The clear examples and practical applications provided in the book have made it easy for them to grasp and remember the correct usage of prepositions.

I highly recommend this book to all parents and educators who are looking for a creative and effective way to teach grammar to children.

It is truly a gem that can make a significant difference in a child's language learning journey.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I just have an intense love for Heller’s parts of speech books. In fact, I haven't really read one for a long time. However, now I find myself reading two of them consecutively, and these are two that I discovered only very recently.

This particular one is truly outstanding. The majority of the book's text is presented in the form of a rhyme, which not only manages to educate about prepositions but also about how to use them correctly. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I actually learned two new things from it, but at the same time, I'm extremely grateful that I did. The words that are prepositions are conveniently shown in blue, which is an enormous help to learners.

My favorite illustrations were those on the pages with the dog and the sleeping girl (until), the Jack and Jill page (with, at), and the merry-go-round page (despite, in front of, in back of). But to be honest, I liked all of them.

It's a truly wonderful book for children who are in the process of learning this material. This book has the remarkable ability to make learning an enjoyable and fun experience.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Vivid pictures can be a great aid in understanding various prepositions and knowing when it is appropriate to use them. Prepositions play a crucial role in the English language as they help to show the relationship between different elements in a sentence. For example, the preposition "in" is used to indicate a location within a space or time period. We can say "I am in the room" or "The meeting is in the afternoon."


On the other hand, the preposition "on" is used to show a surface or a specific day or date. For instance, "The book is on the table" or "My birthday is on June 10th." Another important preposition is "at," which is often used to refer to a specific point in time or a particular place. We might say "I will meet you at 5 o'clock" or "She is waiting at the bus stop."


By using vivid pictures, we can better visualize these prepositions and their meanings. For example, a picture of a person standing inside a room can help us remember the use of "in." A picture of a book lying on a table can reinforce the concept of "on." And a picture of a person waiting at a bus stop can make it easier to understand the use of "at."


Overall, vivid pictures can be an excellent tool for learning and mastering prepositions in the English language.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I took this book out with the hope of helping my child learn parts of speech in an engaging manner.

The art work was not only appealing but also had a nice rhythm, which initially caught my attention. However, when it came to the text, it fell short for me.

Although some prepositions were highlighted, they weren't really explained in a clear and comprehensive way. It seemed that the book got lost in the snappy poetic meter, sacrificing the actual explanation or illustration of the function of prepositions.

That being said, this book does have its merits when it comes to reinforcement. Once your child has a rudimentary understanding of prepositions, then this book can be a nice tool to reinforce that understanding.

However, if we have already reached that point, I wouldn't bother with this book as I would need to focus on other aspects and work on different things with my child.

Overall, while the book has some good qualities, it also has its limitations when it comes to teaching prepositions effectively.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.