The Alphazeds

Most alphabet books use items for examples of the letters - A is usually apple, X is always x-ray or xylophone. This book uses adjectives. I have 4 children between 8 and 1; rarely do they all sit and read the same book with me and the older ones especially find typical alphabet books marginally interesting. All of them were riveted to this book. It's a wonderful concept, to base the letters on adjectives. The younger kids enjoyed learning the letters, the older ones tuned in to the meanings of the adjectives and enjoyed the humor that accompanied it. Pretentious P speaks French and Jealous J pines after the other letters' attributes, for example. It is a wonderful way to build upon basic alphabet knowledge and begin learning nuances of descriptive words such as dynamic, mighty, vain, and towering.

I have to disagree strongly with the Library School Journal review for this book (above), which says that the book is more appropriate for "graphics-obsessed adults" than for children. When we first saw this book, my son (age 3.5 at the time) insisted that I read it to him three times. It's not an appropriate book for LEARNING the alphabet, but any young child (ages 3-6?) who loves language will love the alliteration and, perhaps even more importantly for this age group, learn a lot of new words to discuss feelings in a fun way.

Alphabet books come in all forms -- just the letters, letters introducing sounds, letters introducing beginning words, and then, letters telling a story. This book is a story, complete with an attitude. There's Quaking Q, Bashful B, and Pretentious P. They all strut into the small empty yellow room with a single light bulb. Then, as if they are living in New York City (where the authors live), there is a blackout. "When the light came back on, something extraordinary had happened." Find out what that was. Any elementary principal, kindergarten, or first grade teacher needs to read this to their children. Any parent or grandparent of the 7 or under set needs to give it as a birthday or holiday present. Thanks to the Glasers for a wonderful addition to the alphabet book world.