Most alphabet books are basically the same. One letter per page with one or more illustrations or photos of objects starting with that letter. Helpful in teaching the alphabet but not really a joy to read. (And lets face it, we need to read these books over and over and over with our kids).
So how would you like an alphabet book that is beautifully illustrated? That tells a story (in pictures)? That contains hidden visual clues to the next letter that the child can look for?
Look no further! ABC: A Child’s First Alphabet Book
The illustrations are so lovely that I seriously considered cutting up a book and using it as nursery art! Jay uses a technique that give each picture an antique look with tiny cracks running through them which gives the book a kind of vintage charm.
Each page contains a whole picture (not just one object). For example, the C page says, “C is for Cow,” but the picture will contain a cow (jumping over the moon), cabbages, a car, clouds and a cat. But Jay doesn’t stop there! She hides a clue to the next letter in every picture, so the C page also includes a dog, who will be featured on the following page.
If that weren’t enough to already place this book at the top of my list, Jay also weaves a story into the pictures which climaxes in Z is for Zoo as all the previous characters introduced throughout the book converge in a happy menagerie.
There are some other good (i.e. not torturous to read over and over) alphabet books out there. Here are a dozen of the best:
1) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
2) A to Z
3) A Is for Angry: An Animal and Adjective Alphabet
4) Dr. Seuss’s ABC
5) Eric Carle’s ABC
6) Eating the Alphabet
7) Alphablock
8) My First ABC
9) My ABC Bible Verses
10) Charley Harper ABCs
11) Creature ABC
12) Sign Language ABC
What is your go-to book for teaching the alphabet?
Great list! Though it is geared for older readers, Animalia is by far my favorite alphabet book.
I hadn’t heard of that one before, but it looks interesting. I have older kids too, so we’ll check it out. We recently checked out Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray, which I should really add to this list! 🙂
My favorite alphabet books on your list are Alphablock and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Hope you’ll come back and link up again soon!