Alphabetter

December 1, 2006
PreS-Gr 1-An entertaining alphabet book with a twist. Twenty-six children are ready to take part in an activity but cannot because each one is missing a crucial item. However, the youngster on the next page has it. For example, Alberto had an alligator, but he didnt have a bathing suit. Benoît had a bathing suit, but he didnt have a clarinet. Guess what Cara has. The humorous acrylic-and-collage pictures are bold, and the bright, crisp colors show up well against white backgrounds. Albertos alligator wears swim goggles and jumps off a diving board, while the poor boy standing on the raft is dressed only in a barrel. The capital form of the letter is featured in the upper left corner; there is also another letter hidden somewhere on the page, which makes this title a seek-and-find as well as a concept book. The ending unites the children and the item they each need plus a bonus: friends. For another alphabet book in which children are connected through the letters, see Anita Lobels "Alisons Zinnia" (HarperCollins, 1990). A fun way to learn the alphabet."Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.