M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

The ABC’s of Children’s Alphabet Literature
By Holly E. Newton

Are you looking for a great alphabet book for your youngster? Every year I review the best and newest “ABC” books recently published. So here now is a list of eight outstanding books for your young readers.

AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First, by Alethea Kontis, and wonderfully illustrated by Bob Kolar, is hilarious, unique and even thoughtful. Here is an alphabet book that isn’t in order but still teaches the letters and initial sounds of these letters. After all, letters can be taught in various ways, so why not in a fun entertaining way that actually centers on the letters — rather than the order. It all begins when the letter Z decides he wants to be first because he’s always last. The reverse order of letters begin to proclaim a word that begins with their letter until the letter P exclaims that he’s always stuck in the middle and he wants to be near the first.

So begins the process of the letters showing up completely out of order, and Z is orchestrating it all — that is until H shows up. He states that he’s actually happy right where he is and doesn’t want to go out of order. The interesting interaction between these letters can bring about discussions of how children feel about fitting in. And if you’re concerned about the lack of order in the book, alas there is an ongoing alphabet listed on the bottom of each page showing the letters as they are introduced. This book will be revisited many times!

Now for some real investigative work: Alphabet Explosion! Search and Count from Alien to Zebra, written and magnificently illustrated by John Nickle, is truly an interactive ABC book that will enthrall every person who opens it. I like this kind of book when desiring an ongoing discovery experience with your child because it’s so fun and engaging that both parties will have great interaction while turning the pages.

The bottom of each page has the number of objects that begin with the letter and it’s up to you to locate them. The illustrations are bright, colorful and beautifully painted. And unlike the “I Spy” series, this book is uncluttered and simple. But don’t let that deceive you; it will still be challenging. Along with the fun of learning letters, your little ones will learn syntax, comparisons and on and on. This book is great fun for all ages!

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The next four books are great for toddlers through age 8. Max’s ABC, written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells, is a great way to reinforce letters in order and with their initial sounds. Wells has placed the alphabet into a story so that it’s interesting and entertaining while teaching about the letters. Each page brings out the next letter in the alphabet, but continuing the storyline. And the author highlights the words being taught on that page.

The story continues the author’s popular Max and Ruby series, but this time Max is having problems with his ants that have escaped the terrarium. On the letter “I” page, it reads: “’But the ants found an Ice pop in Max’s pocket. Itch! Itch! Itch!’ said Max.” The antics that the ants create make for very fun reading while learning the ABC’s.

And while we’re on popular children’s series, David Kirk has a clever lift-the-flaps book just out. ABC: Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends has the signature bright and vivid colors of these adorable arachnids, with pictures hiding behind each letter.

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ABC Sing-Along, by Teddy Slater, with adorable illustrations by Liisa Chauncy Guida, has to be one of my all-time favorite ABC books for teaching the alphabet to children. I used it with my kindergarten class back in 2000. This newer format has all of the elements that children love. Each page teaches a letter with a poem and a familiar song, (such as C can be sung to “Do Your Ears Hang Low”). In this newer format, there are pull-tabs, touch and feel and a sing-along CD. Just be prepared for your youngsters to listen to this often!

The Spinning Alphabet Book, by Betty Ann Schwartz, and illustrated by Michelle Berg, has to be one of the cleverest ABC books ever! Each letter has a spinning wheel with the letter on the spinner and pictures of the initial sounds hiding under the spinner. This book would be great for memory learning as well.

On Market Street, illustrated by Anita Lobel, with words by Arnold Lobel, won the Caldecott back in 1982. This marvelous reissue has a full page person representing each letter, but the clothes are made up with intricate details. For instance, on the letter “F” page, the lady is completely clothed with a beautiful variety of colorful flowers. All ages would enjoy this book!

Not all ABC books are geared for younger children. Capital! Washington D. C. from A to Z, by Laura Krauss Melmed, and illustrated by Frane Lessac, is geared for ages 7 through 12 because it deals with interesting facts about the White House. This is a wonderful way to learn about American History. So when learning about the letters of our language, you often learn much more than just the alphabet!

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