onomatopoeia •\ˌä-nə-ˌmä-tə-ˈpe-ə, -ˌma-\• noun : using words that imitate the sound they denote The word onomatopoeia has appeared in four New York Times articles in the past year, including on May 3 in the book review "Animal Catastrophe" by Pamela Paul: This squealing enjoyment is to be found in "Oh, No!," the first book in which Candace Fleming, the author of picture books ("Clever Jack Takes the Cake") as well as serious nonfiction ("Amelia Lost"), collaborates with Eric Rohmann, the Caldecott Medal-winning author-illustrator of "My Friend Rabbit." What a match! Fleming's text reverberates with onomatopoeia: a hapless frog tumbles into a deep pit while fleeing a tiger with a "ribbit-oops!," and a tiny mouse attempts to assist with a worried "pippa-eeek!" Lots of rhythmic repetition makes this a winner for 3- and 4-year-olds. They'll also enjoy Rohmann's lush woodblock prints and beat-by-beat panels. A monkey swings from vine to vine before gleefully pointing down into the hole and then - whoops - loses his grip, the final panel on the page showing a dangling vine and a glimpse of tail plunging below. Ideally, "Oh, No!" should be read aloud by the kind of grown-up who doesn't redden easily while making silly noises and growling at high volume. Learn more about the word "onomatopoeia" and see usage examples across a range of subjects on the Vocabulary dictionary.