This year for the A to Z Blog Challenge, I am marching through the alphabet celebrating ABC books. Today I’d like to give a hand to Hands that communicate. THE HANDMADE ALPHABET by Laura Rankin (author and illustrator) Dial Books 1991 This stunning book features soft pencil illustrations of human hands signing the letters […]
Blogging A to Z
G is for gruesome, ghastly, and gasp!
The most interesting alphabets are centered around themes – similar to the best posts in the A to Z Blog Challenge. Today’s alphabet book is definitely one of the most unusual I’ve come across. THE GASHLYCRUMBTINIES Or, After the Outing By Edward Gorey Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1963 64pages The jacket flap warns the reader – An […]
F is for Flowers
It’s Spring! And the flowers are blooming – what better time to look at an ABC of flowers? A FLOWER FAIRY ALPHABET by Cicely Mary Barker Frederick Warne originally published in 1934 – new reproduction 1990 I have fond memories of hours spent with my grandmother reading and admiring the Flower Fairy books written and […]
Eating the Alphabet
Today’s alphabet book is a simple concept but the choice of objects for each letter and the art combine to make a very special book. EATING THE ALPHABET Fruits and Vegetable from A to Z by Lois Ehlert HMH Books 1989 “Apple to Zucchini, come take a look. Start eating your way through this […]
D is for Dangerous
Today’s book is another story told through the alphabet. It is a story of suspense and mystery… THE DANGEROUS ALPHABET by Neil Gaiman, author and Gris Grimly, illustrator Harper Collins 2008 In this rhyming picture book we meet two children who sneak out with a treasure map and find themselves in the sewer. A is […]
C is for Classics
I love alphabet books that tell a story and today’s choice is a classic- Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom! by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault (authors) and Lois Ehlert (illustrator) Simon & Schuster 1989 This rollicking, rhythmic, story begins Then. All the lowercase letters follow them up the tree in alphabetical order until the […]
Roaming around with the Letter B
Beep, beep! Today I continue on my alphabetical journey through alphabet books. I just discovered a new book by one of my favorite children’s writers, but it only focuses on the letter B! B IS FOR BABY By Atinuke (author) and Angela Brooksbank (illustsrator) Candlewick Press 2019 Recommended for little ones and those who […]
A is for Animalia, Alphabeasties, and Alligators
It’s April 1st which means it’s the official kick off day for the A to Z Blog Challenge where bloggers use the alphabet to structure their posts. I’m focusing on Alphabet Books this year and I am surrounded by piles of ABC books. One problem is that most alphabet books start with the letter A […]
The A B C’s of Alphabet Books
The A B C’s of Alphabet Books A to Z Blog Challenge Theme Reveal Alphabet books have been a part of children’s reading experiences for hundreds of years. They began as horn books and have transformed through the years. They are intended to teach children to recognize letters and sounds in an entertaining way. Over […]
A to Z April Blog Challenge – Reflections and a Quiz
Writing a blog post daily (almost) is certainly a challenge. Each year I wonder why I am doing the A to Z April Blog Challenge and by the letter J I wonder if I’ll finish. But, I press on because I enjoy being part of this blogging community and the challenge gives me an opportunity […]
Zoo Maps in Kid Lit
Zoo maps are usually the first maps that children see and learn to read. They are heavily illustrated with animals and the paths show clear directions to get from place to place. Kids learn that a map can help you to get where you want to go. Children also love the maps in zoo books […]
X Marks the Spot
X marks the spot is a popular title. And, why not? It conjures up visions of adventure and treasure. Who would’t want to find a map marked with an X? Share these books with the children in your life and take off on a literary treasure hunt- X Marks the Spot by R. Schuyler (author) and […]
Wind in the Willows – a classic map
This map found in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham, is one of the classic maps many of us hold dear. It was drawn by Ernest H. Shepard who also drew the map in Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. The map, however, was not in the original edition of the book written […]
V is for Vintage Maps in Children’s Books
Maps are visual art that communicates information to give us a sense of place. We read maps and we read books. And, in my opinion, books containing maps are the best kind of books. I’ve shared many maps this past month for the A to Z April Blog Challenge and I could easily go on […]
Under the Sea – mapping an unknown world
Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea; Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh (author) Raúl Colón (illustrator) Simon & Schuster (2016) picture book biography grades Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea is a book for anyone interested in maps and map-making. It tells the story of Marie Tharp who,as a girl, loved maps. She […]