Synopsis
A colorful and charming book for children ages five to eight, consisting of 26 short poems on the letters of the alphabet by the American novelist and writer John Updike.
Poems and photographs present common objects for each letter of the alphabet.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1994-07-01 |
| Size | | Height: | 9.8 in | | Width: | 9.0 in | | Thickness: | 0.5 in | | Weight: | 12.0 oz |
Publisher's Note
Poems and photographs present common objects for each letter of the alphabet.
Industry Reviews
In addition to illustrious name of Updike, this extraordinary alphabet book offers numerous rewards poems that are by turns thoughtful and lively; crisp photographs that seem both familiar and new; and a book design so fresh and appealing as to ensure repeat readings. Each poem and photograph describes ordinary things apple, cat, eggs, shoes and socks in language and images playfully accessible to preschoolers. ``At evening/ when the grass is dewy,'' reads the poem for ``R,'' ``out hops the rabbit/ feeling chewy.'' For the letter H, a photo shows a boy crouched beside a gleaming chrome hubcap in which his image is reflected ``stretched sideways like gum.'' Clever design elements begin with bright endpapers that repeat the interior photographs and letters; within, the typeface in ``D'' changes with each word comparing dogs and cats (a dog is ``jumpier,'' its tail is ``thumpier,'' etc.) in a kind of visual onomatopoeia; the words of the K-is-for-knot poem loop and meander to mimic ``the thing that happens to string''; the photos appear in ovals and circles as well as standard squares and rectangles. This book is an introduction not only to letters but to looking at people and objects ``as if you were/ inside them for a ride.'' Ages 3-8. (Aug.)
Bernstein
K-Gr 2 Updike's brief poems describe common everyday animals and objects from A-Z in language that is lively, succinct, and fun: ``A dog/is jumpier;/its fur/is clumpier;/its tail/is thumpier;/but rarely/(compared to a cat)/is it grumpier.'' The appealing full-color photos range from sharply focused closeups to reflections and sweeping action shots of adorable animals and photogenic children. Each page has a different colored background, and the layout is varied and creative. The ``Y'' page, for ``you,'' features kids of various ages and ethnic backgrounds playing, napping, and posing. This is not a memorable collection of poetry, but it's an entertaining selection that can be used as a concept book. Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY
Lopate
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