 M
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. |
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 LMNO
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. |
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 Potato
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. |
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 ABC3D
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. |
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 An
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 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. |
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 Ten
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. |
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 Country
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 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 |
|
 When
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. |
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 AlphaOops:
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! |
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 AlphaOops:
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. |
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 E-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. |
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 Ashanti
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
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 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. |
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 G
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. |
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 One
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 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. |
|
 Alphabeasties:
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. |
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 Bugs
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 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 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. |
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