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Bookworm for Kids

   
Alphabet & Number Books

MischiefM Is for Mischief: An A to Z of Naughty Children
by Linda Ashman & Nancy Carpenter
Ages 6–10
Packed with assonance and alliteration, twenty-six naughty children romp through this book, illustrated by Carpenter’s energetic digital collages.

LMNO PeasLMNO Peas
by Keith Baker
Ages 3–8
A hilarious group of alphabet peas romp through the alphabet, appropriated garbed to illustrate various jobs and occupations for each letter. Bouncy rhyming text accompanies each letter, presented as a large colorful shape surrounded by cheerful busy pea creatures. The book is a fun read-aloud, and young readers will want to spend time examining each page closely.

Potato JoePotato Joe
by Keith Baker
Ages 4–8
If it can rhyme with potato, Potato Joe and his nine potato friends have thought of it. The simple illustrations complement the rhymes in this counting book, and kids will be eager to turn the page to see what the silly spuds are up to next.

ABCABC3D
by Marion Bataille
Ages 4–up
In this amazing pop-up book, the 26 letters of the alphabet not only pop up, they also move and transform. This clever French book will enchant readers and art lovers of all ages.

An Annoying ABCAn Annoying ABC
by Barbara Bottner, Michael Emberley
Ages 4–8
This clever alphabet books describes, in alphabetical order, a chain of annoying and unpleasant behavior. “Dexter drooled on Eloise. Eloise elbowed Flora.” Eventually, the clever and supportive Miss Mabel engineers a chain of apologies that restore a tranquil peace to the class just in time for story hour, in this hilarious portrayal of the chaos that can erupt in a Kindergarten class.

Discovering Nature's AlphabetDiscovering Nature’s Alphabet
by Krystina Castella, Brian Boyl
Ages 6–12
Created by a husband and wife team, this unique book presents letters of the alphabet found in the natural world. The 92 color photographs are neither staged nor retouched, and are spectacular examples of the wonders of nature waiting for the careful observer. Not intended for those just learning the alphabet, this beautiful book may inspire older children to search out letters in their own natural surroundings.

Ten FingersTen Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
by Mem Fox, Helen Oxenbury
Ages 3–5
The rhythmic rhyming text in this picture book for very young children is addictive. Adorable multicultural babies are added with each new stanza.

Country Road ABCCountry Road ABC
An Illustrated Journey Through America’s Farmland
by Arthur Geisert
Ages 5–8
This ABC book memorializes a way of life in the shrinking Midwest farming community where the author lives. Modern vocabulary (A is for ammonia fertilizer, I is for inoculate) joins the traditional (B is for barn cat) to paint a portrait of the farmland from spring through winter snow. Along the bottom of each page is a continuous panorama that totals nearly 40 feet of art.

Welcome to my NeighborhoodWelcome To My Neighborhood! A Barrio ABC
by Quiara Alegría Hudes, Shino Arihara
Ages 3–7
In this unique ABC book, Cici takes her friend Chien on a tour of her inner-city neighborhood, pointing out all the details that make her neighborhood home unique. The rhyming text celebrates the wide variety found in a city neighborhood while the gouache illustrations portray a vibrant multicultural, urban community that is both full of life and slightly dilapidated. Spanish version: Bienvenidos a mi barrio! Mi mundo de la A a la Z

RoyalsWhen Royals Wore Ruffles:
A Funny and Fashionable Alphabet!
by Pamela Jaber, Chesley Mclaren
Ages 5–9
This A–Z of fashion history uses witty text and charming illustrations to demonstrate that the desire to look fabulous can push humans to often hilarious extremes.

AlphaOops ZAlphaOops: The Day Z Went First
by Alethea Kontis, Bob Kolar
Ages 4–8
Just as A is preparing to introduce itself, Z interrupts, demanding fair turns at going first. Other letters at the end of the alphabet jostle to the front of the line, some letters insist on second turns, and some vanish to take bathroom breaks in this wild Alphabet book, sure to be an instant favorite with all children, especially those whose names fall at the end of the line!

AlphaOops HAlphaOops: H is for Halloween
by Alethea Kontis, Bob Kolar
Ages 4–8
The alphabet is putting on a show for Halloween, and chaos erupts. Z insists that the show must start with H because Halloween can’t start with any other letter, and the rest of the alphabet appears out of order, dressed in Halloween costumes to suit their letters. Along the bottom of the pages, tiny pumpkins arrange the letters in their proper order.

EmergencyE-mergency!
by Tom Lichtenheld
Ages 4–8
When the letter E breaks her leg falling down the stairs, she ends up in the hospital and ordered to rest. The only way to give her time to heal is for another letter to substitute for her. Puns and jokes ensue as the rest of the alphabet decide which letter is up for the job.
 
AshantiAshanti to Zulu:
African Traditions
text by Margaret Musgrove, illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon
Caldecott Medal 1977
Ages 6–12

Incredible pictures illustrate the traditions and customs of 26 African tribes beginning with letters from A to Z. Most paintings include a man, woman, child, artifact, living quarters, and a local animal.

Fancy NancyFancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany
by Jane O’Connor
Ages 4–9
Fancy Nancy makes vocabulary glamorous in this A-Z list of useful words used and illustrated in classic Fancy Nancy style.

A Paddling of DucksA Paddling of Ducks
Animals in Groups from A to Z
by Marjorie Blain Parker, Joseph Kelly
Ages 4–8
This delightful ABC book presents groups of animals from an army of ants to a herd of zebras. Each group of animals is described with the proper collective noun (a skulk of foxes, a nest of vipers, a labor of moles) and shown in a detailed illustration depicting fantastic yet animal appropriate play.

G Is for GoogolG Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book
by David M. Schwartz, Marissa Moss
Ages 9–12
This clever math alphabet books takes readers through 26+ important math ideas and concepts in an amusing and entertaining way. The informative and light-hearted text is perfectly paired with bright cartoon-like illustrations, bringing the mathematics alive. Students and teachers alike will enjoy exploring this rich book.

One BoyOne Boy
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages 2–6
This clever peek-a-boo book counts from one to ten and also reveals words within words. Young children will enjoy discovering the hidden words—when the boy is alone, the word one is revealed within alone.

Lyle Walks the DogsLyle Walks the Dogs
by Bernard Waber, Paulis Waber
Ages 4–8
In this charming counting book, Lyle the Crocodile goes into the dog walking business. Every day Lyle adds a new dog, with a distinct personality, to his client list. Daughter Paulis Waber makes her illustrating debut, and her cheerful drawings echo the humor of her father’s art. Together, the text and illustrations convey the energy and enthusiasm of the dogs which must be controlled by Lyle’s patience and good humor. Young readers will enjoy counting along to make sure that Lyle ends his journey with all the dogs he started with.

AlphabeastiesAlphabeasties:
And Other Amazing Types
by Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss
Ages 4–8
This amazing ABC book begins by introducing various typefaces and their different personalities. From the alligator made form As through the zebra composed of Zs, each page presents an innovative use of type, encouraging repeat visits.

Bugs By The NumbersBugs by the Numbers
by Sharon Werner & Sarah Forss
Ages 6–12
The bugs in the book are created using only numbers. A mosquito silhouette is composed of 75s since a mosquito can detect human breath from 75 feet away, and a group of ladybugs are created from numbers that match the number of spots on their wings. This creative book also includes interesting facts about the featured bugs.

a Zeal of ZebrasA Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns
by Woop Studios
All Ages
This colorful book is both an introduction to animals and the alphabet for young children and a beautiful art book for older readers. As we move through the alphabet we meet groups like an embarrassment of pandas, a galaxy of starfish, a pandemonium of parrots, and a shiver of sharks. Created by the Harry Potter design franchise, the digitally created whimsical illustrations perfectly complement the clever wordplay.

C Is for CityC Is for City: An Alphabet Book
by Orli Zuravicky, Giuseppe Castellano
Ages 2–6
Mr. Doodle, a stick figure, and his dog Sketch share a noun for every letter of the alphabet. Each page is illustrated with other items beginning with the same letter, and the pages are connected with playful rhyming text. This lively board book encourages attention to detail while introducing the alphabet.