Modulo

Vocabulary Cartoons

Recommended Ages

3rd–12th grades

Vocabulary Cartoons is a humorous vocabulary-building book that pairs each target word with a funny cartoon and a rhyming mnemonic, helping students remember meanings more easily. Designed for roughly grades 3–12, it turns abstract words into memorable images and phrases, followed by short review quizzes. Parents and teachers like that the format feels more like a comic than a textbook, which can win over reluctant readers. As a one-time purchase that can be dipped into repeatedly, it’s a playful supplement to more formal vocabulary programs.

Visual learners in upper-elementary through high school who enjoy comics and wordplay, especially those preparing for standardized tests and needing an engaging way to expand vocabulary.

Pros

Mnemonic-based vocabulary books that pair each word with a humorous cartoon and a rhyming phrase, making it easy for many students to remember meanings; homeschool and classroom reviews often report excellent long-term retention and increased enthusiasm for vocabulary study. 

Cons

Focuses more on memorizing definitions than on deep, contextual use, and some cartoons include mild gross or edgy humor that not every family appreciates; word lists are not tightly aligned to specific grade-level standards, and each volume covers a limited number of words.

As a secular supplemental book, Vocabulary Cartoons is sometimes reimbursed by ESAs and charters when ordered through eligible vendors, though some programs prioritize more traditional workbooks. Check with your provider if you intend to use public funds.

Books range from $8-12 for hardcover

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Vocabulary Cartoons
$8.00 USD

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Vocabulary Cartoons Mission

The mission of Vocabulary Cartoons is to make learning tough vocabulary words fun and unforgettable by pairing each word with a silly cartoon and a rhyming mnemonic. Instead of asking students to memorize lists by rote, the books harness visual imagery and humor so that new words stick quickly and stay in long-term memory. This approach is particularly helpful for visual learners and for students who have struggled with more traditional vocabulary drills.

Vocabulary Cartoons Story

Vocabulary Cartoons was created by the Burchers family and published under their independent imprint New Monic Books in the 1990s. Starting with Vocabutoons and then the first Vocabulary Cartoons volume, they combined hand-drawn cartoons, catchy rhymes, and review quizzes into self-contained books that could be used at home or in classrooms. The series expanded to include elementary editions and SAT-focused word lists and is now used in thousands of schools to supplement more conventional vocabulary programs. Its success helped popularize the idea that serious learning can be anchored in playful, memorable visuals.

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FAQ: Additional Details about Vocabulary Cartoons

A “typical taste” is your learner flipping open the book, laughing at a cartoon that turns a long test word into a silly scene, and reading the little story that glues the sound and meaning together in their mind. They might then quiz themselves on a few review questions or try using the word in a goofy sentence of their own. Sessions are short, light, and often spark spontaneous use of the new words in conversation.

Vocabulary Cartoons builds vocabulary using illustrated mnemonics—each word is paired with a humorous cartoon and a short story that links the sound of the word to its meaning. Students usually read a page or two at a time, review the mnemonic, and then answer quick questions or write practice sentences to reinforce retention.

Parents may introduce the concept and do the first few cartoons together, then shift into a light coaching role—listening to kids explain the mnemonic back, or calling out words for them to define. Many students happily use the book independently.

Best for middle‑school and up students who can appreciate wordplay and are ready for more advanced vocabulary (including many SAT‑style words). No formal prerequisites beyond solid reading skills, but some kids benefit from pairing this with a more systematic vocabulary program.

Vocabulary Cartoons uses humor, mnemonics, and drawings to cement new words, which can work brilliantly for visual, ADHD, and 2e learners. For dyslexic students, adults can read entries aloud and encourage sketching, so spelling demands don’t overshadow comprehension.

Can be especially fun for verbally gifted 2e kids; the pictures and mnemonics give working‑memory support while still allowing big leaps in vocabulary. Best used in small daily doses so it doesn’t turn into pure rote memorization.

Purchase and refund policies depend on whether you buy directly from the publisher or a bookseller like Amazon. Most will accept returns on unused books within a time limit; digital versions or downloaded content are usually non‑refundable.

Very literal kids who dislike puns or cartoon humor, or families seeking a serious, literature-integrated vocabulary program may be disappointed; not ideal as the only vocabulary resource if you want heavy emphasis on usage in writing.

Wordly Wise or Vocabulary Virtuoso for more traditional, context-heavy practice, Caesar’s English for classical roots, or adaptive online tools like Vocabulary.com to reinforce words in varied contexts.

The series has been around for years with a consistent format; updates have mainly involved minor design refreshes and additional volumes targeting different test levels.

Use one word per day or a small set per week, keep the book open where everyone can see the cartoons, and challenge kids to spot or use the new words in conversation, games, or captions they create.

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Meet Sam and Bryan and Max

Sam Burchers, along with his sons Bryan and Max, are the team behind New Monic Books and the Vocabulary Cartoons series. Together they wrote, illustrated, and self-published books that teach hundreds of vocabulary words through rhyming mnemonics and humorous cartoon scenes, with independent school studies reporting significantly higher retention compared to traditional methods. Their work has been adopted by teachers, test-prep programs, and homeschoolers looking for an alternative to dry word lists. A fun fact: the family’s publishing imprint, New Monic Books, is a nod to the term mnemonic—a reminder that their whole approach is built on memory aids.