Pronouns are tricky things, and they seem to be tricking more people than ever these days. Gwynneth T. Heaton agrees and has brought us a wonderfully worthwhile book called All about me, or is it I? Beware the wild pronoun! And Ms Heaton’s book is here to help us all tame those “wild” pronouns.
Although the subject, as with much English grammar, is not easy, Ms Heaton considers that “anyone ages 13 and above should be able to understand pronouns after studying this book.” She’s right, I think, if you work at it. The book is comprehensive, in that it takes in every aspect of pronoun use and abuse. And Ms Heaton has attempted to make it more palatable, even amusing, by creating a conference in which the various pronouns take part and explain their use…The best aspect of the book are the chunks of examples for each and every pronoun situation …(She has a nice practice of shouting “NO! NO! NO!” with each wrong example, followed by the explanation of what is correct.)
The Welland Tribune, July 31, 2007.
A wonderfully worthwhile book…Ms Heaton is good at showing us the way around correct but odd-sounding usage. For example, in this: “I’m hungry” “Me too.” The “Me” is incorrect. “I” is the correct pronouns but “I too” sounds a little pompous. So the author suggests the simple change, “I am too,” or “So am I.” … The book is complete, it is authoritative … and will help all of us over the age of 13 to improve our English …It is a teaching book, a workbook with practical exercises (answers included), and a reference work. In my humble opinion, it is a prize.”
Jack Bush in The Haliburton County Echo July 20, 2007.
Mix one part librarian with one part artist and behold a book that makes grammar fun … Gwynneth T. Heaton has created a reference book about pronouns. A pet peeve with grammatically incorrect phrases such as “Her and a buddy are going somewhere” inspired Heaton to set the record straight.
The book … is a teaching tool for people 13 and older … She spiced up a drier draft of the book by personifying pronouns like “Himself” and “Me.” In some spots, overused pronouns lament their new found popularity, “I’m being kept a whole lot busier than I was some years ago,” says the character Myself … Heaton drew playful cartoons of cats, camels and lions that she sprinkles on each page. The drawings give the impression that another person has already gone through the book and lovingly decorated it with animals.
Laura Hendrick in The Peterborough Examiner, July 24, 2007.
University of Toronto’s Gwynneth Heaton has written a very helpful book. This should be on the book shelves of all those teaching English or studying English as a second language.
Iris Ward, in the March 2007, issue of Hi-Rise.
"Me and her saw them laughing. Her and him love to go bicycling.” If you think these sentences look or sound right, then you need to buy this book …This reference book helps readers win the battle between the me and I pronouns and offers humorous discussions on using each pronoun properly. The exercises – with answers in the back – will help you earn an A-plus!
In Good Times, June 2007, p. 93.
We agree that your book is succinct and informative. It is playful and entertaining in its approach to and handling of the teaching of pronouns. Many parts of this book can be used in the classroom as the needs arise. It is a great instructional tool.
Annamaria DeNicolais, Teacher / Librarian at St.MargaretSchool, Toronto.
It will be a very useful addition to our resources.
Linda Goldspink, Head of the English Department at Havergal College, Toronto.This book looks like a wonderful tool for both students and teachers, and many of the exercises would be useful for my ESL class … the use of both correct and incorrect examples is very helpful for students. This would be a very useful book to have as a teacher resource for the English department or in our library.
Anna Booth, Englsih Dept./ESL Liaison, BishopStrachanSchool, Toronto.
Gwynneth Heaton … has made what could be a very dry topic into a humorous experience, by the inclusion of droll humour, and little black and white drawings of cats, dogs and other sundry animals, in the margins of the book.
In The Highlands Communicator, v. 6, issue 17, June 27-July 18, 2007.