Okay so here are the alphabet books for this week. The first two I will just put the links so you can check them out. The other five will be listed below
Alphabad Mischievous ABCs by Shannon Stewart Illustrated by Dusan Petricic
This book is hilarious as it chronicles some very “bad” kids through some alliteration adentures. Kids getting themselves in trouble for doing some crazy kids stuff. Like S is for spying. Spying on sister’s secrets is a sly and splendid sport. Yeah maybe some of my siblings would have some experience with this one. Anyone want to confess? Not that I didn’t do any of that . . . um yeah. So anyway lots of laughs and in this book especially for an ABC book. My 4 year old wanted to read this book so we did. She didn’t catch a lot of the humour, but liked it still. I think it would work best for probably 1st-3rd grade.
Winnie the Pooh’s A to Zzzz by Don Ferguson Illustrated by Bill Langly and Diana Wakeman
This is a cute book. Of course I think Winnie the Pooh is absolutely adorable and this ABC book does a good job with a short 4 line poem for each letter of the alphabet. Example Q is for Quilt. Let it snow and Let it Storm! Under his quilt Pooh is cozy and warm. It does a good job with a choosing a word that matches with the common sounds of this letters. This would be a good book for pre-schoolers.
The Dinosaur Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta illustrated by Ralph Masiello
This book features a different dinosaur for each letter and includes short factual information about that dinosaur. If your kids love dinosaurs – I am sure they would love this book! The pictures are fun and colorful. This particular author has lots of alphabet books including the Icky Bug Alphabet Book and The Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book. One thing I like is that he often includes a question in the dinosaur’s description so it would be great discussion starter.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
I love the rhythm of this book. Seriously I am practically sang the whole thing to my daughter. She giggled almost the whole way through of course. What an excellent way to introduce letter names. Simple, yet brilliant. The illustrations are very bright and fun. This would be an excellent book with pre schoolers and young elementary age students.
The Unicorn Alphabet Book by Marianna Mayer Pictures by Michael Hague
I love the illustrations in this book. They look like medieval tapestries on paper. If you know someone who loves unicorns, fantasy, and flowers this is the book for them. The book describes how people used to believe in unicorns and then for each letter of the alphabet more often than not it describes the use of some flower or herb during that time period. So while the book is based on fantasy animal it also educates on medieval history and beliefs. I could see some of my middle school students liking this book and some younger kids would like it as well.
Great selections! A beloved ABC book in our house is Shiver Me Letters. Perfect for pirates and those who love them.
Thought I’d share a few of our favorite ABC books in case they’re new to you…
“Bestiary” by Jonathan Hunt — 26 mythical creatures, so probably a good companion to your Unicorn book…
“Alphabet Soup” by Scott Gustafson — wonderful illustrations
“Achoo Bang Crash” by Ross MacDonald — retro images, and all the words were hand set in a wood-type-press.
“Miss Spider’s ABC” by David Kirk — the most vivid colors I’ve ever seen in a picturebook
I love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I love the rhythm of it. My preschooler does not like his ABC’s, so I’m always on the lookout for new titles. Thanks!
I think I want to read Alpha-Bad Mischievous, it sounds fun- but maybe I’ll save it for after the kids are asleep. I don’t need them to get any more ideas.
1- Shiver Me Letters sounds like a must-read too!
2- I agree, all of Miss Spider’s books have very vivid illustrations.
3- I know this blog is all about books, but I had a reluctant alphabet lover and he loved the Talking Letters Factory DVD/video by Leapfrog. It definitely encourages letter I.D. and sounds and I think it has helped both of my readers learn to love the alphabet.
Interesting that the humor of the Alphabad book went over your 4-year-old’s head. Do 3rd graders read alphabet books?
How do folks here feel about seemingly sophisticated alphabet books and picture books?
Christine – that sounds like a great ABC book, my daughter loves pirates
Bookie Wookie – Thanks for the suggestions. We are always on the look out.
Natasha – I really like ABC books so I keep my eye out. Chicka Chicka Boom is on the top of my list. Good luck with your preschooler. Some kids are interested more than others, but by sometime in kindergarten I think most of that is all worked out.
Holly – We like the talking letters factory also.
Jen – I should clarify, she got some of the humor, but she didn’t get why spying on your sister was supposed to be funny, just a lot of it she missed, in a year I think she will get more of it.
As far as third graders, I think it depends on the ABC book. I had middle schoolers read alphabet books that were geared to older readers like Amelia to Zora. Also if they are still struggling with beginning sounds – it could help. I am actually working on a post about how to select ABC book.
As to the second question. I think it all depends on quality and the purpose of the book as to how I feel about them. If it’s well written/illustrated then I like it if not. . . well I don’t. I used picture books in my classroom all the time and they are not ones I would generally use with younger kids.
I know other teachers of older grades also use pbs in class.
I happen to be a fan of sophisticated pbs, and think they should be written and published for all ages. I think art and language go together at every age and level, and I see no reason there shouldn’t be picture books about high school. (Oh, the Places You’ll Go!)
But that’s me.
I agree with you 100% pbs should be written and published for all ages. My mom liked to read Oh, the Places You’ll Go when we got to be seniors.
Thanks for stopping by! We read an awful lot of ABC books these days, but I think Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is my 3 year old daughter’s favoite.
Holly Cupala – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is definitely one of my favorites and on my list to buy.