Alphabatics

In Suse MacDonald's 1987 Caldecott Honor Book Alphabatics, letters transform acrobatically from letters into objects that illustrate the letter and its sound. By way of an introduction, an "A" in a boxed frame grows arms and legs and vaults out of its box across the first pages of the book until it becomes an acrobat perched on the title on the title page. In later pages, an "i" splits in half, spreads its wings, and transforms into an insect; an "r" sprouts feathers and grows a beak, becoming a rooster; a "Y" bulges and transforms into the head and horns of a yak. Each letter of the alphabet receives a two-page spread. The upper- and lower-case letters are printed in a bold sans serif font in the upper left corner of the left-hand page. Just beneath, either the upper- or lower-case first appears unaltered in a box and its transformation is shown step-by-step across to the pages. The final object is shown on the right-hand page along with the word. The illustrations are comprised of bright blocks of color, presented on a crisp white background. The treatment of the alphabet is letter-focused and demonstrates to children just beginning to recognize letters that letters are special shapes that transform into words and meaning.

This Caldecott Honor Book (1987) is very cleverly done. Children learn the letters of the alphabet and enjoy "watching" the letters morph into many different objects, animals, and birds. This book keeps the preschooler next door entertained every time she picks it up.