Icky-Pedia: A dictionary of disgusting new words by Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly
Ill. by Richard Higgins. Penguin Random House Australia, 2015. ISBN
9780143308645
This is the first book published by The Listies, Richard and Matt
known for their comedic performances for both children and adults.
The Ickypedia will be most popular with all readers who are
enamoured with bodily functions. Hopefully they will also become
keen on developing their own words and developing their vocabulary
in order to be able to play with the language.
The dictionary begins with a warning 'Rated S for Stupid'and a
letter from G.R.O.S.S. inspectors Frank Lee Outraged, Fudd E. Duddy
and A. Noid which gives an indication of the gross but witty content
of the book. On first flip through the book there seemed to be an
over abundance of toilet humour and I put it to the bottom of the
pile. On a more in depth reading I found myself thinking 'Of course.
How clever why haven't I thought of that!'
We have all read 'Bedtime Boreys' stories so dull they immediately
send you to sleep, participated in 'Careoke', singing in the car and
had a 'Pastword' a forgotten password. The 16 ways if spelling
orange is an example of the idiosyncrasies of spelling the 'Inglish'
language and the way people pronounce words.
From an extensive list of words, in alphabetical order as all good
dictionaries are, relating to farting, pooing and spewing to
inventive plays on words there is something to tweek the imagination
of all readers of all ages. The cartoon style illustrations add
meaning to words and assist in understanding the definition given.
If of course you are confused with all the words there is another
outrageous book within the book. Below the dotted line is The
Counting Book in very small letters. This cleverly includes
the page numbers within the story line which doesn't really make
sense but is good fun nevertheless.
If Icky-pedia encourages my students to be more interested
in playing with words it can only be a good thing, despite the icky
bits!
Sue Keane