By Charlotte Soulsby (Clink)

Onomatopoeic words are also fantastic tools in literature. They can draw in even the most reluctant reader by making a story more descriptive or by providing a blast of humour. In Phyllis Root’s ‘Rattletrap Car’, onomatopoeia is used to enhance the tone of the narrative as the rusty old car brums along the road before its tyre bursts. In ‘Slop Goes the Soup’ by Pamela Edwards, a whole sequence of events is caused by the warthog’s a-a-choo. Some books we would thoroughly recommend incorporating into lesson plans include Dr Suess’ ‘Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You?’, Julia Donaldson’s ‘Toddle Waddle’, and ‘If You Were An Onomatopoeia’ by Trisha Shashkan.

From Batman’s pow to Dennis the Menace’s guffaw, onomatopoeic words are loved by children and adults alike. They can make us giggle and squeal, hoot and woop. They can inject a little extra zing into everyday language. They can help make words sparkle. Most importantly of all, they can spark imaginations.