Alphabet Antics

I really didn't have any intention of writing a blog about alphabet books. My encounters with such books were limited to "A is for Ant and B is for Book." But in my quest for books for other categories, I found so many clever alphabet books, I decided I had to share them.

A Just One Letter Alphabet Book…. Some Smug Slug by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Some smug slug keeps slithering up a steep surface. The sparrow, the swallowtail, the squirrel and other s-animals try to warn the slug. They squeal, they scold, and they snicker but the self-satisfied slug saunters on. There is quite a surprise ending for the very smug slug. This would obviously be a great book for teaching the letter “S” or for introducing the concept of alliteration. Another book that is based on the same criteria would be Princess Pigtoria and the Pea (obviously for the letter "p").

Peas Teach the Alphabet in LMNO peas by Keith Baker

When peas roll through the alphabet, children can’t help but learn their letters. Each page features a huge capital letter with peas energetically participating in activities and jobs that start with each letter. From acrobats to zoologists, each page features amusing peas engaging in letter related activities. The entertaining and clever illustrations will help students establish letter recognition and relate the letters to jobs, occupations and activities.

A Mysterious Play about the Alphabet… The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg

In a twenty-six act play, Chris Van Allsburg presents the predicaments of the “Caslon Players” who look remarkably like the letters of the alphabet. On the front side of each page, a letter appears in the midst of an unusual experience. On the K page, two gloved hands are grabbing the K. On the back side of the page, the reader finds out what mysterious event is happening to the letter, as in the K is kidnapped. The eeriness and guessing-game qualities of this book, entices students to form strong associations between words and letters.

Tales Told About the Alphabet…Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

Each letter has its own story to tell in Oliver Jeffers’ book Once Upon an Alphabet. D, for example, is the story of Danger Delilah who is a daredevil who laughs in the face of Death, dances at the door of Disaster, and for whom nothing is to dangerous. Each tale is accompanied with giggle-inducing illustrations. Not only will the comical stories help children learn words and letters, but it might also inspire them to create their own alphabet tales.

And finally, “go figure” Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham

From the cover, through each and every page, this was my favorite alphabet book. I only picked up this book because I could not figure out how Z could be for Moose. Z is the director of the book and on each page he directs the letters to participate on the appropriate page. he hopes to do this with limited drama and hurt feelings. But when “M is for Mouse,” Moose loses it. How can Z fix Moose’s broken heart? Z (and maybe your students) figures out a way to solve this heart-shattering problem. This is not only a great book for sharing but would also be terrific for acting out.