ABC books with zing!

Superhero ABC, by Bob McLeod
New York : HarperCollins, 2006.
ages 5 - 8

Q is for Duck: an alphabet guessing game, by Mary Elting
New York : Clarion Books, 2005, c1980.
ages 4 - 6

Anamalia, by Graham Base
New York : H.N. Abrams, 1987, c1986.
ages 5 - 8

Little kids love a sense of drama and humor. These alphabet books capture them and let them explore letter sounds and pictures.

Superhero ABC, by Bob McLeod, is a great, visually engaging book for all those action-loving little kids. This book is hard to keep on the shelves of our library, the kids love it so much. And it's not suprising, with such fun images as these: Astro-Man, "Always Alert for an Alien Attack" despite his asthma; Goo Girl, who throws Great Gobs of Goo; and Odor Officer, monitor of, well, body odors. Get this at the Oakland Public Library or the Berkeley Public Library.


Q is for Duck: an alphabet guessing game, by Mary Elting, made my four-year-old giggle and laugh. What better recommendation is there for a book, especially one that is trying to teach you something! With simple, repetitive questions, it works for young kids guessing the puzzles. For example, "Q is for Duck. Why? Because a Duck Quacks" or "I is for Mosquito. Why? Because Mosquito bites Itch." Find this at the Oakland Public Library or the Berkeley Public Library.

Animalia is a fantastically detailed ABC book, perfect for kids who like puzzles & games. Each spread has rich illustrations along a theme, such as Eight Enormous Elephants Expertly Eating Easter Eggs. But throughout the spread are dozens of items beginning with that letter. A funny and intriguing book. Animalia is the inspriration for a new PBS Kids TV series. For more information, see the PBS Animalia site. My kids love the imagination in this new series, aimed at kids ages 6 - 8. This is available at the Oakland Public Library or the Berkeley Public Library.