Artistry meets innovation in this selection of engaging alphabet books that bound beyond the traditional A-is-for-Apple approach. Like their brethren, these offerings are arranged in a predictable A-to-Z structure that reinforces letter recognition, fortifies reading skills, and bolsters self-confidence with comforting consistency.
Building on these tried-and-true elements, the featured volumes also incorporate unique subject matter, inventive book design, and vivid visuals that make for an exhilarating and interactive reading experience. As youngsters pore over the pages, they will find themselves looking beyond the obvious and using their imaginations to make connections and discoveries.
Many of these titles focus on the arts—photography, graphic art, fine art–providing an opportunity for extensions in the classroom. Moreover, these books will get kids itching to try their own hands at creating a clever alphabet interpretation, making it as easy as ABC to follow the basic format and launch a class-wide project.
Pass the Peas, Please From the play-on-words approach to the smile-inducing specifics of each and every whimsically mastered detail, Keith Baker's LMNO Peas (S&S, 2010; PreS-Gr 2) presents an irresistible romp through the alphabet. Vibrant verses vivify a posse of green peas busily engaged in diverse professions and pastimes: "We're acrobats, artists, and astronauts in space./We're builders, bathers, and bikers in a race."
Large letters dominate the pages and provide the structure upon which the small, sprightly veggies work, play, and interact. Whether conducting investigations in a Holmsian get-up, juggling pins in a jester's hat, or striking a pose during yoga class, every one of these out-of-the-pod charmers manages to come across as a unique individual.
The charismatic artwork and read-aloud pizzazz make the book a must for group sharing, but kids will also want to take a closer look at the entertaining antics of the characters. Use this crowd pleaser to support units on community and occupations, or as a basis for building an ABC of your students' hobbies and interests.
A Wordless Wonder Originally published in 1963 and recently reissued by Chronicle Books, William Wondriska's inventive offering invites youngsters to follow A Long Piece of String (Oct., 2010; PreS-Gr 2) on its winding journey around and about a series of objects organized in alphabetical order. The artist's pedigree as a graphic designer is evident in each layout, as bold pictures printed in pumpkin orange are laced together with a flowing black ink line.
There are no guide words or letters, placing the focus on the readers' interface with the images, which range from a languid alligator to a partly unzipped zipper, and facilitating an enthusiastic guess-what-it-is response. Expand this intriguing experience beyond the page by gathering and interlinking familiar objects in your classroom to create a 3-D ABC sculpture.
Creature Feature With spectacular photographs and an elegant design, Andrew Zuckerman's Creature ABC (Chronicle, 2009; PreS-Gr 3) takes readers on an imagination-stimulating safari through the alphabet. Each letter is presented in both capital and lowercase on a spread illustrated with a photo of an animal: a close-up of an elephant's foot, a bounding kangaroo, a penguin in profile—all set against clean white backdrops. A page turn reveals a second image of the critter along with its name.
There are some surprises to keep youngsters on their toes (e.g., M corresponds to "mandrill" not monkey, and N, presented in white against a black background, denotes "nocturnal" with photos of a bat, a badger, and a slow loris). Resplendent in crisp metallic hues, the photos have a stylish, almost cinematic quality, and the illusion of movement is further conveyed through the fluid blending of portrait-style images and action shots.
Often, an animal's pose seems to echo the shape of the letter it represents—a chameleon's tail is curled like a C, a giraffe's head curves up and around like a G, an owl's gold-rimmed eye mirrors an O—adding a graceful artistry to the pages. Inspire your students with these striking images and initiate your own classroom animal alphabet. Or discuss the medium and have youngsters take a photographic approach to ABC-making by hunting through magazines and creating a collage with representative images.
Fun with Fonts Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types (Blue Apple, 2009; K-Gr 6) also presents alphabetically ordered animals, but with a twist. In this attractive and entrancing book, Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss playfully introduce diverse typefaces used in graphic design. From alligator to zebra, multiple letters are formed into various creatures, with the font chosen to reflect the nature of each beast. For example, a bat is fashioned from an assemblage of gothic-looking capital and lowercase Bs, and sheep are shaped from soft and swirly Ss.
Additional letter-related examples decorate each page, calling attention to the attributes of a particular typeface ("This g has a groovy curl on its head") or providing witty pictorial delights (a stick-figure face with the "hair" formed out of Hs). Fold-out pages, a pleasing palette of warm colors, and a varied layout keep the spreads interesting.
There is much to examine and discuss, as children are encouraged to take a closer look at these familiar letters—presented here with fresh faces—and consider elements of graphic design. Have your students invent a new typeface, as the authors suggest, or explore various styles of lettering to create typeface-based works of art.
Kids can step right up and gawk at more eye-grabbing fonts in Debra Frasier's A Fabulous Fair Alphabet (S&S, 2010; K-Gr 6). Each handsome collage illustration incorporates letters from photos taken at state fairs, showing off the slick shapes, bedazzled exteriors, and bright colors associated with midway signage.
These gorgeously gaudy letters have been artfully positioned to represent thematically related words: an array of As form an arena, Cs surround a cone of cotton candy in an explosion of flavor, and cars made from Rs rush along the twisting track of a roller coaster. From rides to tasty treats to prize-winning animals and produce, readers will relate to the pleasures of going to the fair while relishing the volume's vivacious visual design. Makethe experience multimedia by sharing two engaging videos at the publisher's website that combine the author's enthusiastic commentary about the creation of the book with folksy music and a whirlwind of enticing carnival images. Frasier takes viewers on "A Visit to the Fair," invites them to seek out related words, and even (bravely) swoops down a giant slide (used for the letter S in the book).
Great Works of Art An ABC of What Art Can Be (Getty Museum, 2010; Gr 2-5) introduces art basics while inviting kids to jump right in and be creative: "A is for artist,/creator of art,/making all sorts of things/with the hands and the heart" (the accompanying illustration shows two hands in silhouette forming a heart shape with fingers and thumbs). Meher McArthur's buoyant verses highlight various artistic tools and formats (brush, hieroglyphs, or origami) as well as less-tangible concepts (expression or inspiration). Esther Pearl Watson's folksycollage-style artwork adroitly reflects and extends the ideas presented while echoing the text's welcoming, try-it-yourself attitude.
The volume's upbeat tone, lighthearted illustrations, and easy-to-browse rectangular format will grab reluctant artists and confident crafters alike. One section encourages readers to make their own "X-hibition" ["(really spelled with an E)./It's where art is shown/for people to see"] and provides an array of ideas for getting started. Looking for more art connections? Follow the suggested link to the Getty Museum website to access games that allow kids to interact with artworks from the collection and to download more projects.
In Alphab'art (Frances Lincoln, 2009; Gr 3-6), Anne Guéry and Olivier Dussutour showcase 26 works by renowned western painters and invite youngsters to find the letters hidden in each canvas. It's I-Spy meets art appreciation as viewers search to locate the A in Giotto's The Life of Saint Francis, the D in Pablo Picasso's Head, or the j in Vassily Kandinsky's Red Oval.
The letters are subtly presented—integrated into an architectural backdrop, hidden away in a fold of clothing, or incorporated into a series of abstract images—and often pleasingly difficult to discern. While on the hunt, kids will find themselves interacting with striking paintings that span seven centuries and represent a breathtaking array of artistic styles, movements, mediums, and subject matter. The works are well chosen to capture the more sophisticated eye and perceptions of older children. They will be mesmerized by the strange and somewhat unsettling landscape of Salvador Dalí's Giraffe on Fire, intrigued by Jean Dubuffet's graffiti-like Cloth of Episodes, and entranced by the details of Giuseppe Arcimboldo's Fire (an oddly modern-looking 16th-century work that features a face made entirely from objects associated with fire).
An appended section presents a black-and-white reproduction of each painting (with the sought-after letter highlighted) along with a brief paragraph about the work and its creator, providing just enough information to spark discussion and encourage individual interpretation. Readers drawn into the volume's comfortable ABC format and impossible-to-resist visual challenge will discover a treasure trove of images and ideas. Use this book to stimulate imaginations and launch forays into art history.
Thank you for an amazing array of books and possibilities. I am a big fan of using alphabet books for all areas of the curriculum. Can't wait to add these to my collection.
Posted by Rita Sorrentino on September 8, 2010 03:48:43AM
Rita Sorrentino mentioned alphabet books for all areas of the curriculum - I would encourage teachers to look for Laura Krauss Melmed's alphabet books about New York City, Washington, DC, and Texas: lots of culture and geography in each letter. Alphabet books that pack lots of information, like the ones listed in the article, are also great for children (and even adults) learning English as a second language.
Posted by Karen Leggett on September 8, 2010 04:11:19AM
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