T Is For Terry: An ABC of Courage, written by Denise Dias and illustrated by Noemie Gionet Landry. North Winds Press, Scholastic. 2025. $18.99 ages 5 and up

                                   

"Nn is for notebook.

Every day was an adventure. 
Terry wrote about his 
thoughts and progress in 
a notebook. He wanted to 
remember everything."

It's been 45 years since Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. This book will be published on July 28, Terry's birthday. Terry's legacy lives on in the Terry Fox Foundation and the many yearly runs still undertaken in his honor. 

Many young people today don't know his story. This book sets out to change that, telling the story of Terry's life from his adventurous and happy childhood spent with his siblings to the energy and passion he brought to making a difference for those dealing with cancer. 

Terry loved sports, especially basketball and he worked hard at getting better all the time. When he was diagnosed with cancer at 18 and lost part of his right leg, he spent time with other people who were suffering as he was. He made his decision right then to run across Canada in hopes of drawing attention to the need for more research and learning. He worked hard to gain strength and relearn how to walk and run. 

Terry's friends were great supporters of his dream. Doug decided to travel with him through long days. They started at the Atlantic Ocean in St. John's Newfoundland and spent every day meeting people along the way, keeping in touch with his family, and running close to a marathon every single day (42 kilometres or 26 miles). It took no time until crowds gathered to cheer him on, and make their donations to his Marathon of Hope. He ran for 5,373 kilometres. No matter how tired he was, he knew that millions were watching and wishing him well. 

As the team reached Thunder Bay, Terry had to stop his run due to further illness. His cancer had returned. People from around the world, who had watched his run, made the decision to run for Terry to carry on with his dream, and that has not changed. Many runs in his honor are organized every year. Before Terry died, he had achieved his dream of raising $1 for every Canadian. Since then, the Terry Fox Run has raised more than $850 million to help bring hope and healing to so many.  

Royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation to continue the work he started so long ago. Terry's legacy lives on.  

https://youtu.be/70WbeqNOJQs

Animal Albums, written and illustrated by Cece Bell. Walker Books, Candlewick Press. Penguin Random House. 2024. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Normally I give 
The ketchup a squirt
But tonight I don't think 
Some mustard would hurt

Oh, I'm in the mood for mustard
Yeah, I'm in the mood for mustard
Doo-waaaah, diddly dum dum dum 
With the mustard on the hot dog
It is nothing but yum!"

Perhaps you have been looking for an alphabet book that is unique and at times, hysterical. If you have, you've come to the right place. The letter A introduces readers to the album cover for Arnie Dillow's Accordion Americana. A songlist is included, and the words to the #1 hit My Aromatic Armpit is Astonishing to All faces the cover from the other side of the gutter. 

Each turn of the page showcases the artist(s), a close look at their album cover, and a playlist. Facing that is but one of the letter-related songs from the list. Check out The Essential Ella Fontaine, Hip-Hop Hedgehogs, Klezmer Kangaroos, or the Quokka String Quartet as you make your way through this tribute. There is a QR code available to readers; it provides listening pleasure for the 'original' vinyl tracks. What more can one expect?  

"The oysters are a little off 
my love 
The house, a total mess
Our party days are numbered
Don't cry, I must confess

It is I who left the oysters out
It is I who let them rot
A party wasn't in the cards
My dear, it just was not" 

Those are two verses from a song by The One and Only Olga, The Ostrich of Opera. You heard it here first! 

From the playful introduction that shows the author to be a collector of record albums released by animal musicians, to the cleverly humorous words for the included songs, to the background notes for each of the artists, Ms. Bell has given readers a look at music genres from the 1940s to the 1980s ... and a book you didn't know you needed. 

Have I mentioned the artwork?

"Every bit of the final art was made by hand. It's a hodgepodge of hand-painted papers and collage, 
hand-painted lettering and cut-paper lettering (thanks to a katrillion #16 X-Acto blades) - golly, there's 
even some embroidery."

It's extraordinary! 

https://youtu.be/r7tXw0B2XYk?si=LefRPqyuQ38x_vt0

The Imaginary Alphabet, written and illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault. Pajama Press, 2023, $26.95 all ages

 

"Fancy Ferrets Feeling Famous 
           and Fabulous

Grumpy Gorillas Guarding the 
Garden Gate 

Happy Hippopotamus Hopping 
              down the Hall" 

Go on! See what you can do to add to this alliterative animal alphabet. Join in the fun! The words I might have some success with, but the artwork? Not a chance! The alliteration is a real treat and the artwork is stunning in this truly lovely new alphabet book. Just when you think you might have seen your last one, someone adds to your collection. The focus here is on nature, and the beauty to be found there. Of its birth, the author says: 

"The text came knocking on my brain and I began 
the intricate game of composing prose in alliterative 
style, in order to present each letter with panache."

Ms. Daigneault has most definitely accomplished that, in spades. Four years were spent creating this remarkable and challenging project; the joy to be found on each page is glorious. I can't wait to share it with others. 

Each double page begins with a detailed illustration of the capital letter itself, and a caption for the facing page. The accompanying artwork matches what has been described - and so much more. That is when the searching begins. While the ferrets may look fabulous and feel famous, there is no mention in the text of the frogs, fairies, flames, fountain, flowers, fan, French tie, Fascinator, ferns, fur, or feathers. Yet, they are there waiting to be discovered. It is the same for each entry, and Ms. Daigneault includes a list of the 'just under 300 little gems' keen observers will find in their repeated readings. 

There is much to see that is sure to delight readers at any age. Every letter has its time in the spotlight. Most animals will be familiar to young readers; others will give older readers a chance to test their knowledge of the less familiar, and of some included objects. Colored pencils are used exclusively, and enhanced digitally, creating scenes that whet the appetite for more.  

A is for Australian Reefs, written and illustrated by Frane Lessac. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Mollusks

Mollusks are soft-bodied sea animals. 
Reefs are home to thousands of 
different kinds of mollusks, including
clams, oysters, squid, octopuses, 
cuttlefish, and nudibranchs. 

Cuttlefish have secret powers! In less than
a second, they can change the color, pattern, 
shape, and texture of their skin in imitation 
of their surroundings.  That is why they're 
known as the chameleons of the sea. "

Australia's coastline is home to four named underwater reefs: Montgomery Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Great Southern Reef, and Ningaloo Reef. Those reefs in turn are teeming with sea life and provide ecosystems worthy of wonder and study. 

"Biodiversity 
A reef has the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem 
on Earth. More than 25 percent of all sea creatures 
call a coral reef home."

This model of the best kind of nonfiction available for young readers today has much to teach all who share it. Using an alphabet format is inspired, and provides a chance to take a good look at the wealth of life in the Austalian coral reefs. Many of us have not seem them, and may never do so. Too many are threatened, or endangered in these trying times; their future is unknown. 

Ms. Lessac begins her ABCs with information about the Australian reefs themselves, their biodiversity, and the Coral reefs. Pertinent bits of information accompany gorgeous gouache illustrations that are rife with the most beautiful colors and drawings of the creatures that live there. As she moves to the letter d, she begins to describe in detail those creatures: dolphins, eels, fish, Great Barrier Reef, Handfish, Irukandji, and the list goes on. 

So much natural beauty, so much to learn about Australian sealife, and presented in an elegant and entertaining package sure to please. The letter matches work beautifully which is not always easy when presenting a singular topic in alphabet form. I'm sure many were left out ... perhaps enough for another book? The 'spot the fish' page that ends the book will have readers returning in earnest to find what they missed, and to continue their learning. 

Perhaps now more than ever, readers young and old need to be aware of the importance of maintaining healthy reefs and their ecosystems around the world. 

Just in case your curiosity was piqued: 

"Irukandji
Irukandji are the smallest and one of the 
most dangerous jellyfish in Australian 
coastal waters and reefs. 

When stung by an Irukandji, humans experience
symptoms that  include stomach cramps, nausea, 
vomiting, headaches, and feelings of impending doom.
Sometimes an Irukandji sting can lead to death."
                                                                                  

A is for BEE: an alphabet book in translation, written and illustrated by Ellen Heck. Levine Querido, Raincoast. 2022. $23.99 all ages

 

"I is for fish

Inhlanzi in Zulu

Ikan in Malay

Iqalluk in Alutiiq

Iwak in Javanese

Isda in Tagalog "

"We speak to each other in many languages, 
and in some of them ... A is for Bee"

I have always been intrigued by the endless diversity found in alphabet books. There was a time when I had a huge collection of them. So, I was excited to see this new book about animals. I have not seen anything like it. I love that the author found inspiration for its creation while reading Lithuanian alphabet books to her son. It is ever-fascinating what inspires writing! 

The research is quite extraordinary. Ms. Heck explores 69 languages to find the names of 26 animals. Each one of them begins with the same letter, but is different from their corresponding English word. The languages are global: some are non-Roman and some with alternate systems of writing.  

"The letter A is for “Anu in Igbo, Ari in Turkish, Aamoo in Ojibwe, and Abelha in Portuguese,” all of which translate to bee in English." 

Ms. Heck is a printmaker. For this book, she has created black-and-white scratchboard artwork placed on bold backgrounds. Textured, and accompanied by hand-lettered type by Jon Gray, they are dramatic and fascinating. I'm told that each letter is hidden somewhere on the illustrated page. I have been successful with finding some, but continue to pore over the pages to find all of them. It is a worthy pursuit in that it takes me back time and again for a closer look - all very worthwhile for such a thing of beauty. 

This is not a book designed exclusively for kids. Anyone (adults included) who has an interest in languages and sounds will find it worthy of attention. An author's note is filled with explanatory text concerning choices and spellings, even agreement over translation. All pronunciations were confirmed with a native speaker. She ends with this: 

"These languages are currently spoken by a range of more than a billion speakers to a few hundred, and the 69 languages represented in this book are only a fraction of the more than 6,500 spoken across the world."                                                                           

Here you can enjoy a visit with Ellen Heck as she talks her book: 

https://youtu.be/rhMbT0OPHUk

Readers are also invited to use publisher-supplied links to hear native or fluent speakers pronounce the animal names: 

https://www.levinequerido.com/a-is-for-bee-audio-guide

The Alphabet's Alphabet, written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Dan Santat. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2020. $22.99 ages 4 and up

 

"An M is an N with a cane for support. 

An N is a Z doing push-ups for sport."

Once they have figured out just how true that is, readers will want to move quickly backward and forward to see what else Chris Harris and Dan Santat have in store for them. Playful and witty, this is another wonderful addition to your collection of alphabet books. I am continually intrigued by the many new and entertaining ways authors and illustrators find to present these 26 letters that have such power. 

As the reader moves onward from the letter a, they are helped to discover the many ways that one letter favors another, as is shown in the examples above. Poetic verses open and close the book. Chris Harris first asks if the alphabet might be a family just as readers are part of a family that shares some similarities. 

"We all look like family, so could it be true ... 
The alphabet's really a family too?
For all of the letters - from A on through Z -
Can look like each other in some way, to me ... "

The rhyming pairs that describe each of the letters are fun to read and are presented in order. Each is then identified with the other letter that is shown to prove the way each relates to the other. Leave it to the incomparable Dan Santat to thoroughly prove that premise with zany illustrations sure to capture attention and tickle the funny bone. He matches the settings to the description with panache and clever placement. It's all in the details as so often happens with his fabulous artwork. Endpapers help early readers with arrows to show the way to forming the letters carefully and accurately. Once done, the back endpaper invites readers to decode a secret message, using what they have learned and ensuring that the fun won't end too early. 

The final verse offers this:

"Twenty-six letters, unique from each other ... 
And yet, every letter looks just like another - 
The same way that we are each special creations
And yet still resemble our friends and relations."                                                                   

Bear Is Awake! An Alphabet Story. Written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison. Dial, Penguin Random House. 2019. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"What would you do if 

A 

Bear

Came to the 

Door?"

Here's another amazing seasonal book I had not seen until recently. I do not want to miss telling you about it. It's an ingenious alphabet book. From the get-go, young readers will know something exciting is going on here. After all, Big Bear has awakened early, is hungry, and on the move! 

A cozy cottage is enticing and seemingly perfect for Bear's inspection. What is that smell? The young girl who opens the door to a very hungry intruder is surprised to say the least. After he has consumed everything in sight, she is quick to point him to the door. From cottage to town, with a number of stops along the way, the bear follows our unconcerned heroine from place to place. She manages to exert control over his antics, and prepares pancakes when they get back home. It is not the bear's home and the girl knows that. With evident uncertainty and a degree of sadness she leads the bear back to his den for a longer winter snooze. 

The artwork is so special - a kooky bear, a caring young lady, and page after page of hilarious action will have readers hooting with appreciation. 

                                                                         

This Is Not That Kind of Book, by Christopher Healy and illustrated by Ben Mantle. Random House, 2019. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"This is not that kind of book.

The girl thought it was unusual to
find a robot in the forest, but it's not
so unusual when you're in ...

What kind of book is this?
Come see.

... the GLEEP GLORK FOREST
OF MARS!"

Well, I thought it was going to be an alphabet book ... and a pretty ordinary one at that. It starts with a pair of letter As (one upper-case and one lower-case) sitting above a group of apples. Yep! Wait a minute! Before B becomes a bee, the scene changes to the visual of a little girl in a red cape. Do you remember her?

The letter A and one of the apples is ready for the change, following Red Riding Hood and her basket full of goodies into the nearby woods. Dialogue between A and the young girl is telling and investigative. Upon meeting a robot, she wonders what kind of book they have encountered now. Can you guess?

The three (including the robot) then escape an unknown creature into the kind of book kindergarten children like to hear. So, it goes. Just when they think they have stumbled into the kind of book they were expecting, there's another twist or halt in the action. The speech bubbles are funny, and speak directly to the variety in genre that books provide for readers.

"Enough! Get out! All of you!
This is an animals-at-school book!
There are no pirates, no bananas,
no robots, no superheroes,
no talking letters, and no detectives!
None of you belong here!"

Obviously, the premise for this book is unusual; it is also entertaining. The cartoon characters fill the pages with witty dialogue, engaging antics, and slapstick adventure. Settings constantly change, new characters emerge, individual personalities vie for prominence, and all want the book to be about them.

In the end, a lesson is learned.

"Don't you realize what this means?
We're all supposed to be here!
Anybody can belong in a book like this!

Anybody!

The mystery was solved."

Dictionary For a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z, written by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, with illustrations by Mehrdokht Amini. Carolrhoda Books, Thomas Allen & Son. 2020. $26.99 ages 10 and up

"Pink light
winks through
blue curtains,

house silent,
save Mama's
hacking -

so I leap up,
wake-dress-feed
my sister."

That is the beginning of a poem called Compassion. It continues the story of a young girl and her sister comforting their mother and wishing her well before the two head to the bus on their own. At the bottom of the page we are told the poem is an aubade: a morning song.  The facing page features a quote from Julian Lester (This Strange New Feeling: Three Love Stories from Black History). It is followed by a note from Irene that speaks to the meaning of compassion for her, and ends with the following;

"Compassion needn't be a grand gesture. In fact, it is often
the smallest moments of connection that carry us through
tough times."

Further to that, there is a prompt for readers to TRY IT! She suggests looking around to find someone you can help with something. Then, do it!

What a rare, and lovely dictionary this is. It begins with an abecedarian written by both authors that clearly states the premise for this new collaboration. They then move forward with 48 words described in quotes, prompts, meaningful remembrances, and a wide variety of poetic forms. They range from that first abecedarian to villanelle. Each is described in a concise caption. Both poets pen personal stories that relate to the word being considered. Their encouragement to try something new is accessible to their audience in both word and deed.

Reading this book more than a few times makes me hopeful for the future - something we sure need now more than ever. The language is inspirational, the suggestions meant to improve our communities and make a connection with the people who live in them. Most letters suggest two words, some just one, and a few more than two. Each is meaningful and worthy of being here.

The final poem has an abundance of meaning for these trying times:

"The Etymology of Progress

After gathering these words,
we discover
our dictionary is endless!
What makes the world
a zinger
is remembering
we're all in this

 together"

Mehrdokht Amini's mixed media artwork is wonderful, adding much to the tone of the book. Back matter is extensive. There you will find an author's note, a list of books, poems, and speech referenced, an extensive list of books for further reading, a list of poetry resources for readers wanting to know more, an alphabetized index of poetic forms, and a gratitude list.

It will be on my bedside table for a long while. Bravo!

ROAR Like a Dandelion, written by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. Harper, 2019. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Kick away the snow
and make spring come

Look under the bed
for poetry

Make music

Nod YES"

What joy is found in this playful and sly alphabet book! Unpublished for many years, Ms. Krauss' longtime publisher and the executor of her estate agreed to have Sergio Ruzzier create the artwork for this new book. What a blessing for us!

With his signature pen and ink and watercolor illustrations and his penchant for often outlandish creatures that accompany more recognizable animal characters from earlier books, Mr. Ruzzier steps up to the plate and hits a home run. He creates wondrous spreads that capture the action in the words Ms. Krauss penned so long ago.

'Jump like a raindrop' shows tiny elephants bouncing skyward in great delight while a tiny cat drops its umbrella and runs for the hills. Observant readers will note that this particular command corresponds to an earlier one, also involving said elephants and cat. 'Walk backward all the way home' shows a v-shaped flock of diverse ducks happily following their leader across a sandy plain. And so it goes!

Unlike any other ABC book of the time, Ms. Krauss created commands meant to mock the tradition inherent in other such books written primarily to teach the alphabet to young children. Mr. Ruzzier uses his  innate sense of humor to capture the mood of the text with creatures sure to be loved by the intended audience. There is much humor and plenty of adventure at every turn of the page, with each added letter.

Kids will obey the commands without hesitation, and take great delight in seeing the interpretation provided on page after page. Imaginative, full of charm and delight, it will become a favorite for many.

Don't miss the back cover, or the endpapers!

Alis the Aviator, written by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and illustrated by Kalpna Patel. Tundra, Penguin Random House. 2019. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"G is for Goose,
a swanky flying boat.

H is for hot air balloon,
up above it floats.

I is for Islander,
a well-known island hopper.

J is for Jet Ranger,
a useful type of chopper."

"The Alis in this book was inspired by a real pilot: Dr. Alis Kennedy. Alis has spent her life helping people and animals, going on adventures and pushing the limits."

Related to Louis Riel and a member of the RCAF for a short time, Alis flew planes without her pilot's license. That military experience led her to get her own private and commercial pilot's training and license. She is believed to be the first indigenous woman to do so. Her tireless work has earned her many awards:

"... but the one that means the most to her is the eagle feather.
The eagle feather is a symbol of strength, courage, wisdom,
honesty, power and freedom; an eagle feather acknowledges
a person's hard work and achievements. It is one of the highest
honors that can be awarded to indigenous people."

We learn this in the back matter for this book that includes Alis in archival photos, a note about her many accomplishments, an annotated list and thumbnail photo of each of the planes making up the alphabetical list.

The poetic text of the book itself allows readers to see the many types of planes that fly our skies. It is quite the journey for those interested in all things aviation. Each piece of aircraft is designed using cut paper collage, shown clearly on ever-changing and appropriate backgrounds.  The details in each of the bright spreads will encourage questions and conversation concerning the history depicted here. Alis is our guide throughout, and we are witness to her many different adventures. 

Both entertaining and inspiring, it is a book that we will be welcomed by everyone interested in flying machines.                                                                     

A Busy Creature's Day Eating, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Disney Hyperion, Hachette. 2018. $18.99 ages 3 and up

"Furniture!

Gravy!

Huge Hot-Sauce
Halibut Hoagie!"

You will not recognize this character from any of the Mo Willems books you already have on your bookshelf. You will surely pinpoint its zany personality as just another of the madcap figures created to captivate and charm young readers. With its zest for eating, its brash demeanor, and its colorful look, it takes those readers on a harried journey through the alphabet.

Bounding out of bed and heading straight to the kitchen, Busy begins its 'alphabetical smorgasbord' with an apple - well, a bowlful of apples, then berries, donuts, and eggs. F poses a problem until it gloms on to the furniture in the room. From there, nothing is safe. The romp halts for a moment at O! That is when the full impact of all that has been consumed makes the creature realize just what it has done. The stomach revolts.

For the rest of the book's pages, attempts are made, with the help of a friend (or parent), to neutralize the effects of its enthusiastic endeavor to consume an alphabetic buffet. No one will be surprised at the end result of such gluttony.

Kids will enjoy making guesses at what this busy creature will choose for the next part of its meal. Each spread is sure to capture attention and invite conversation. In the end, they will also be impressed with the love and tenderness shared by the present adult, and the lack of judgment displayed. Only warm hugs, and understanding for the way Creature is feeling after such an unusual feast. 

Just when you think you have seen every type of alphabet book imaginable, along comes Mo Willems. As he so often has done, he ups the ante and the humor factor once again. Lively and most enjoyable!                                                                             

The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the hard way), written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2017. $23.49 ages 3 and up

"It starts with an ALLIGATOR
and a BEAR
chasing a CAT.
When a DRAGON
(and a chicken and an egg!)
join in pursuit ,
things start to get
REALLY INTERESTING "

Oh, my! What a wonderful picture book this is! It is definitely one of my favorites so far this year. Is that even possible when we are talking about an alphabet book? It is proof positive that you can never have enough, if brilliant artists continue to think beyond what has been done up until now.

Obviously, Patrick McDonnell has done that with his new book. It will bring laughter and joy to those who share it ... and then 'read' it again and again. The pace is perfect, taking young children from one letter to the next while also making them feel as if they are on the very best kind of adventure. What a way to learn about the letters that will soon form the words they can not yet read!

There are no words; there are only letters (upper and lower case). Sunshine and an open door are all the incentive the little red cat needs to burst into the day and put him on a collision course with a  cast of six characters whose antics are filled with humor and whose adventure is filled with unexpected twists and turns. As an adult, I was not content to look at it once. I kept making new discoveries. All young readers will find what on the page matches the letter displayed.

Lots of white space allows for attention to be fully on the pen, ink, pencil and watercolor artwork that is so captivating.

You would be remiss to 'miss' it!

https://youtu.be/x_t9EC2eqn0

The Alphabet Thief, written by Bill Richardson and illustrated by Roxanna Bikadoroff. Groundwood. 2017. $17.95 ages 8 and up

"The Alphabet Thief
stole all of the M's.
A hockey team turned into tea.
It spilled on the ice - ice that
used to be mice -
And that's not the iced tea
for me!

The Alphabet Thief
stole all of the N's."

Full of fun and zany wordplay, this is an alphabet book that is sure to find fans among kids who love to read something different. It's small format makes it great for sharing with a friend, and its premise will have readers scrambling to come up with some of their own ideas.

Bill Richardson does a commendable job of taking letters from words to make new ones, while also creating a complete transformation for the verse as it began. He makes good on his promise to find a way through the alphabet without losing sight of the wacky idea that set him off. The rhymes are most enjoyable and quirky. Readers will find much here to like.

"CAN NOBODY STOP the Alphabet Thief?
Can nobody end her spree?
Can somebody best her, can someone arrest her
Before she takes all of the G's?"

Repetitive language, terrific rhythms, and well-managed rhyme make it great fun to share. The illustrations that accompany each of the word changes are filled with humor and appealing characters. The thief has a familiar witchy look ... big hat, long nose, striped stockings, buckled boots, a feathered hat and a mask. The little girl, a sleuth-like observer of the actions, is often perturbed by the results of the ever-changing words. Her dog feels much the same. In the end it is up to that young girl to put an end to all of the thievery. Using the letter Y as a slingshot, she pummels the thief with ammo in the form of the letter Z, putting the thief into a state of deep slumber and bringing the Alphabet Thief's spree to a halt! Brava, young lady!

Engaging and detailed, this is a book that will have readers poring over its pages and reading with great exuberance.

Canada ABC, by Paul Covello. Harper, 2016. $12.99 ages 2 and up

"D is for
Dogsled

E is for
Evergreen

F is for
Flag

G is for
Goose"

Are you starting to build a collection of books that you can share in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary in two short months? If you are, you should check this one out.

It's a board book, sturdily made and bigger than the usual size. It begins in the Arctic and ends with a Zamboni cleaning the ice in anticipation of further fun at the rink. Paul Covello includes the many unique and wonderful Canadian images that are an integral part of our identity as a country. Four of the letters are set on a double page spread. To see the grandeur of the totem, the book must be held vertically. All others are set on single pages.

A child's focus will surely be attracted to the brilliance of the color palette, the bold images, the detailed backgrounds, and the opportunity afforded for discussion and discovery. Little ones will not be familiar with everything the artist has chosen to include; that is a plus. Parents and caregivers can spend the time needed to listen and familiarize them with those things that are celebratory of Canada: its geography, seasons, sports, cities, attractions and events.

Very well done, and worthy of a place on your bookshelf. 

Daytime Visions: An Alphabet. Adapted into English by Isol and Elisa Amado. Enchanted Lion Books, Publishers Group Canada. 2016. $26.50 ages 2 and up

"When I look at these pages
now I see that the letters have
made friends with their images,
as though they've known each
other forever. Maybe they really
were just waiting for me to draw
them to begin to chat among
themselves and find their
reflections in each other."

Alphabet books are so hard to present without describing every clever way an artist shows meaning. In Isol's beautifully crafted book about the letters that make up our words and stories, she shares her distinct artistic vision on pages that help us see them in a very unique and bold way.

Let's start, at least, with A! An enraged dog is furiously barking at an in-flight bird; the words are: That's not an answer. Readers are invited to determine what the story might be, allowing for many personal interpretations of just one double page spread.

Nothing prepares the reader for what comes next. Paging through we find that each of the images is created with complexity and offer an opportunity for close consideration of the author's meaning.
Every page requires food for thought and individual interpretation. Every time I read it, I choose a new favorite image, and word or phrase.

"O ... You are such an optimist" shows two black birds sitting on a tree branch, one warbling a carefree tune while the other sits miserably on the branch uttering its complaint.

"N ... A nightmare" shows a child in a red animal masked hood and matching coat being stalked by another animal. What might those animals be? It is left to us to decide for ourselves.

Always thought-provoking, often unusual and mysterious, some readers will feel uncomfortable when explaining their own perception of the artwork. I suspect they will be the older readers, and even adults. Children will find the pages entertaining and worthy of their attention, and of their opinion.

What an invitation to storytelling it provides!
                                                                             

OOPS POUNCE QUICK RUN! An Alphabet Caper, written and illustrated by Mike Twohy. Balzer + Bray, Harper. 2016. $21.99 ages 2 and up

"A little mouse is
asleep until a
ball suddenly bounces
into his home, setting
off an epic chase -
from A to Z."

I could start at the beginning frame of this inventive new alphabet book, tell you what each of the 26 letters stands for, and then you wouldn't have to get a copy! If you don't find it in your bookstore or at the library, you will miss a zippy story meant to delight young listeners, and the opportunity to follow the frenzied chase so brilliantly depicted by Mike Twohy.

A gray mouse's peaceful slumber is greatly disturbed when a ball bounces through his mouse hole and lands in his lap. A yellow dog comes looking for it, and the chase is on! Only one word per letter is needed to bring full meaning to all that is happening here.

Using India ink and felt-tipped pens, Mr. Twohy takes his readers on a lively adventure throughout the house. The two protagonists leave a path of destruction in their wake that will have kids giggling as they quickly turn pages to keep up with the action. Plenty of white space keeps their attention fully focused on the chase participants, their expressions and emotions - right down to the final Zzzz!

You know how much I love alphabet books! This is a 'keeper' for its ingenious format. Read it the first time for its pace and movement. Read it more slowly the second time to take in the storytelling details. It will be an endless favorite read, I am sure of it.
                                                                            

ABC Dream, by Kim Krans. Random House. 2016. $21.99 all ages

 

"Dream the

dreams

you haven't

yet,

 

while drifting

through

the

alphabet ... "

There was a time when I collected alphabet books and had more than 100 of them at school and at home. A few remain among my favorite books to this day. One day I should write a post about them, or use them as part of a workshop with teachers and librarians. I think it takes incredible talent to write a book meant to inform readers about the 26 letters that make up our alphabet, and have it be original and as glorious as this one is. Emerging readers find them useful, and often entertaining. That is good.

No ordinary ABC book, it is wonderfully designed and meant to make older readers think twice about the concept of letters and encourage their taking the time to calmly consider all aspects of the images. It also gives little ones a chance to stop and look carefully at each lovely spread. Here, there are only letters. There are no words! Yet, in the images she has created for a single letter on varied spreads, Kim Krans teases her readers to find more than what is obvious at first glance.

The letters are prominently displayed on white backgrounds. They are outlined with black to make them stand out and generally accompanied by a collection of items that begin with said letter. Some pages are pretty straightforward, others a bit more complicated, requiring concentrated thought. They definitely build vocabulary and a sense of contemplation as a reader thinks through what is actually included in each illustration. It's a great game to play between parent and child when the child is ready to think deeply and for an extended period of time. For little ones, it is a reminder of those letters that make up the words they are so busy trying to recognize as they start down the road to being literate and taking an active part in reading independently.

 

Don't be too quick to decide you are done and ready to move on to the next letter! I missed a number on my first 'reading'. Take the time to really look, and you are sure to make some surprising discoveries. Don't give up. Do the best you can, and then check at the back to see if you missed anything. Or perhaps you can add something to the list that is already there. It's fun. It is also truly stunning.

If you have a collection or are thinking of starting one, you need this book! 

                                                                   

An Inuksuk Means Welcome, words and art by Mary Wallace. Owlkids, 2015. $18.95 ages 5 and up

"I
is for inuksuk,

the stone messenger
that stands at the top
of the world."


Inuksuit have many purposes in Inuit culture. Because of the vast expanses of land in the north, an inuksuk may be used as a beacon, providing a kind of map to help travellers find their way. They are also used as a means of welcome and joy for those who see them.

"For thousands of years, people living in the Arctic have built stone towers called inuksuit to guide them across this land of ice and snow. A single marker is called an inuksuk. It can mark where to find food or how to find home. It can even be a way of saying, "Welcome."

Mary Wallace uses an acrostic framework to introduce her readers to seven words from the Inuit culture, each beginning with one of the letters of inuksuk. In reading it, we learn something about the customs and traditions of Arctic life for the Inuit people.

The words are first given in English and accompanied by textured and beautifully rendered artwork. The double spread that follows each of the seven words presents a portrait of the Arctic landscape, with a phonetic guide to saying the word properly as well as the word show in Inuktitut characters.

You will see the polar bear, a umiaq, a kamik, the siku, a umimmat, and the kunik. Interested in knowing more? Find this book at the library or your local bookstore. Then, you will know what each word describes.

Mary Wallace's paintings show readers the depth of beauty in the Arctic and the power of the stark landscape. As well, she allows a glimpse at family and the variety in form for these iconic towers on the northern landscape.

A final page shows and explains the meanings for the various inuksuit that may be built as messengers of the Arctic landscape, also giving their pronunciation, their Inuit spelling and the English translation. Readers are encouraged to go back and see if they can find each of the seven images.

Alpha, by Isabelle Arsenault. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2015. $18.99 all ages

"Juliet

Kilo

Lima

Mike

November

Oscar"

I was, when I was still teaching, a collector of alphabet books. I was often gob-smacked by the variety, and by the creators' imaginations and designs. I continue to be very interested in seeing what is available in themed alphabet books. When I saw that Isabelle Arsenault illustrated her new book using the NATO phonetic alphabet I was more than a little intrigued. I have a vague sense of each of the words used universally by police, the military, firefighters, pilots for clear communication over radio and telephone. It is meant to ensure that there is no miscommunication when sharing vital information.

That being said, who knew that Ms. Arsenault's graphic interpretation of said alphabet would be so entertaining and meaningful to many. It is not a picture book for kids, unless you want them to learn the code used around the world. It will surprise adults with the thoughts it provokes and the connections it makes. It also invites those who share it to interpret the significance of the artist's choices.

Each letter-code is presented on a double page spread. On the left (verso) side, is the letter. On the right side (recto), is the visual representation of that letter. Charlie is faced with a black bowler hat, a bow to Charlie Chaplin. Golf shows a bird's-eye view of the eighteen holes on a golf course. Quebec shows a brightly patterned toque. Tango shows a woman's shoe, perfect for the dance itself.

Beautifully designed and produced, it works on a number of levels. Witty in its thoughtful depiction of a number of the code letters, and even haunting at times, it will generate discussion and admiration for this accomplished artist.

You will not read this book without wanting to go back and read it all over again ... and then again. Rich and absorbing, I have added it to my alphabet shelf.