13 Jan Booklist: Alphabet Books
When a child is learning to read, an essential first step is connecting letters to their sounds. Standard alphabet books typically feature one letter per page with a variety of things that start with that letter. Those are great for introducing those sounds and building vocabulary, but they can get boring quickly. Here are some books that still build on that concept but in more engaging and fun ways!
Alfie Explores A to Z: A Seek and Find Adventure by Jeff Drew
Like standard alphabet books, each spread features a letter, but instead of a list of words, this book offers a playful rhyming poem that tells a story and features a lot of words that contain that letter, both as an initial sound and as a sound within the words. Then, readers get to search the complex illustrations for all of the items mentioned in the poem, naturally leading them to repeat those words and that letter sound! It’s a playful and fun way to reinforce the concepts!
I Spy A to Z: A Picture Book of Riddles by Jean Marzollo
Also in the search and find style, this book similarly features one letter per page or spread but with shorter poems and simpler vocabulary. The highlighted letters – which may be found anywhere in the words – are shown in red to make them stand out and promote letter recognition. Vibrant photographs of real objects make finding the items a little easier, as does having a picture of each thing shown in the text right after the relevant word(s).
Little green peas are busy doing all kinds of things in this lively alphabet book! Each letter is drawn large and colorful on the page, while peas engage in various hobbies and jobs – starting with that letter, of course – on and around it. Featuring a rhythmic cadence and romping rhymes, this book is delightful to read out loud; looking for details in the illustrations adds even more fun!
Go and Get with Rex by David LaRochelle
Children who are starting to recognize letter sounds will get a kick out of this silly book! The narrator asks the characters in the book to go and find objects that start with different letters. Most of the characters are successful, but Rex keeps bringing back things that don’t fit the bill … or do they? This book features plenty of reinforcement of letter sounds, and introduces more complex descriptions as Rex explains his choices.
Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelensky
Moose is eager to be included in this seemingly straightforward alphabet book, but unfortunately, he doesn’t know when it’s his turn! Children will laugh out loud as an increasingly desperate moose keeps interrupting the story, unable to wait patiently for his letter. When we finally get to “M,” well … will Moose ever get his moment to shine?
Big Words for Little Geniuses and Bigger Words for Little Geniuses both by Susan and James Patterson
Move over apple, “A” is for arachibutyrophobia! Both of these books feature one letter per page, but instead of giving several common objects that start with that letter, they offer a single highly advanced word, complete with pronunciation guides and easy-to-understand definitions. Bright, whimsical illustrations by Hsinping Pan bring the words to life as your child’s vocabulary expands in impressive ways. Grown-ups will even learn at least one new word from each book – guaranteed or your money back!* (*Please note library resources are free to users.)
Check one out today and start – or continue – your child’s progress toward learning to read!
Written by Carolyn L., Youth Services Programming and Outreach Coordinator
