Alphabetics: An Aesthetically Awesome Alliterated Alphabet Anthology

Gr 4–8—Not your typical ABC book, this artsy work is printed on high-quality paper and each letter is accompanied by alliterative text and retro-modern illustrations that demonstrate, for the most part, what the text is describing (though more literal readers may take umbrage that the "yuppie Yeti" is actually eating a cup of "fro yo" in the Yukon rather than the stated yard). The style of the font is simple and attractive, but very small. The descriptors for each letter use advanced, creative vocabulary that younger children will enjoy hearing read aloud. Older students can expand their vocabularies using the glossary to help them with unfamiliar words: "colossal Cornelius/captures curious carnie companions/on his classic Contaflex camera." "Paris the pretentious peacock/puffs on a Peterson pipe/while perched upon a penny-farthing." The illustrations are unique; the heads of subjects are disproportionately small for their bodies. Ryski uses a limited palette for each illustration, which is then set against a solid white background. While some parents will appreciate it's quirky charm, others might find some of the imagery inappropriate for children, e.g., a zombie smoking a cigarette. An unusual offering.—Sherry J. Mills, Hazelwood East High School, St. Louis, MO