Caveman: A B.C. Story

by Janee Trasler

1 caveman + 26 letters = wild and wacky ABC fun!
When a caveman and a squirrel try to grab an ACORN for dinner, a big brown BEAR chases them into a CAVE. But then a DINOSAUR comes out and goes after them all! What else will happen in this hysterical, prehistorical story?
The slapstick hijinks go from “A” all the way to some cuddly, friendly “ZZZZZs” and a sweet goodnight.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Dinosaurs, Childrens, Adventure, History, Historical

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 2, 2011

Reviews

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a caveman. Each picture has one word and tells a story. All 26 pictures tell a larger story together. And the fun part is that the words are all in alphabetical order. For example "Acorn" has a caveman and a squirrel running after an acorn. Then "Bear" comes and chases them into a "Cave." Such fun looking at the one words. This is a great type of book for the little kids who are just learning about reading and letters. They can see the alphabet letters highlighted at the beginning of each word. They can tell more of the story just by looking at the picture. (Such as pointing out that the bear is hiding in the "Acorn" picture.) When reading this book to kiddos, the kids will tell more of the story than the readers will. A great chance to teach that a picture is worth 1,000 words!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the cutest board books I've seen. Shannon Bell and Angie Napolitano, you should both make sure to get this one.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. That was great. An ABC book with a storyline and adorable illustrations. Some even made me want to cry (that poor fainting squirrel). Not, um, "historically accurate." Just a silly fun way to go over ABCs with a young-un. A great lap-read. Might work in a smaller preschool storytime, so long as they can see the pictures (and maybe have them tell you the story).

1/18/12 This went well in both groups. I did my typical ASL letters, and there were plenty of parents in the audience who knew them, too, so that helped in getting them involved. They pretty much followed the story and seemed to like it.

9/23/15 Used in the Autumn theme, but not because of the theme necessarily. Had it in Literacy Moment, where I had the kids tell me what letter was coming next, and then find the letter in my pile of letters. We got almost halfway before we ran out of kids, so then I just showed the rest of the book. They enjoyed.

1/24/18 Used in c theme. Everyone enjoyed. With each word, I had them tell me what it started with. Lots of laughs at different parts. Forgot how much I love this one. So fun!

Kept for the weekend with kids. SD smiled a lot. SS wasn't paying attention.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a prehistoric trip through the alphabet in this funny picture book! This book tells the story of a caveman’s adventures solely through pictures and a few alphabetical words. It starts with an acorn that both the caveman and a squirrel are after. They are scared by a bear into a cave where a dinosaur was living. A bit later, the caveman makes friends with an odd little creature who had been trapped in some ice. Unfortunately, the big green dinosaur appears again and chases them around, forcing them to leap onto vines and swing away. But the book can’t end before one final uproarious slapstick moment which leads all the way too the Zzzz at the end.

Read the rest of my review at my blog, Waking Brain Cells.

[Khaoi Mady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the most creative alphabet books I have ever read. The story follows a day in the life of a caveman. Throughout his day, he encounters different things. Those different things just so happen to follow the sequence of the alphabet. The story was engaging and the pictures followed the words. I read this book to my niece, who is 5 and already knows the alphabet, but she was just as engaged as if she was learning her abc’s for the first time. This is a great book that I would recommend to anyone who wants to teach the alphabet in a fun and creative way.

Author: Janee Trasler
Title: Caveman, A B.C. Story
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Year of Publication: 2011
Genre: Beginning Books - Alphabet
Age group: 2 – 5 years

[Shahrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obliged to say that I won my copy (which I am reviewing here) as a GoodReads First Reads winner.

I think this book is such fun! The illustrations are brilliant. I love the fact that it teaches the alphabet in a fun, interactive way! My mum is training to be a Teacher of little ones. I'm going to tell her about this book. I think it would be perfect for her (ain't parting with my copy though!). I will definitely buy friends/family with kids copies of this book.

Also, I call my boyfriend Caveman and he has curly brown hair! :)

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

From A to Z caveman and his animated friends take us on an adventure full of action using the alphabet. What I enjoyed most about the book is that children can tell their own story to fill in the blanks as they follow along and view the illustrations from page to page. This book builds the vocabulary, allows for interjections, and inspires creative thinking. It is also a profound way to teach children the alphabet.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes less is more. Hey, a LOT of the time in picture books less is more, only a lot of the current authors don't get that!
Janee Trasler does. She uses one word per letter of the alphabet to tell a hilarious story of a caveman, a squirrel and a dinosaur (yup,this isn't accurate history) with artwork that speaks volumes on its own. Funny,funny,FUNNY!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twenty-six word story about a caveman, a dinosaur, a bear, and an armadillo and their adventures in the Stone Age. (Cavemen, dinosaurs, bears, and armadillos were all there together, right?) Clever how the author is able to weave a story out of just twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet. Nice cartoon illustrations, as well.

“ACORN
BEAR
CAVE
DINOSAUR
EAT
FAINT….”

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library today. He likes alphabet books.

This book is very clever and entertaining, and, at times, downright hilarious. Using a single word to highlight each letter, the text tells a story. And the illustrations embellish and complement the story perfectly.

[Breona Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good/cute book for children to learn their alphabet. I love how the book puts the letters into perspective so that children can practice saying the word (letter) along with seeing it. (ex: L-eave). The illustrations are cute.

The book could also possibly teach about history- since the book features cave men.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a hit from the title until the very last page! Such a great pairing of caveman lingo (single-word statements)and delightful illustrations! It shows how you can tell a story in just 26 words. I love this book and can't wait to share it with my class this year!

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a caveman, told in images and just 26 words in alphabetical order. Pretty darn clever. This is another book I'd use with Gifted kids. Read it (and enjoy the humor), then once they understand the organizational scheme, have them create their own ABC stories.

[Liz Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the BEST ABC book ever written. I need to downgrade some of my other 5 point ratings in order for this one to beat them ALL. It was very funny and lots of opportunities to INFER using pictures because the story is only 26 words long. Loved it.

[Missmath144 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually a big fan of alphabet books because they aren't much fun. However, it's easy to make up a story to go with this Caveman alphabet. I'm definitely going to use it for tomorrow's library story time.

[Donna]

CAVEMAN: A B.C. STORY is one of the absolute BEST "ABC" books I've ever read. It's an actual story that incorporates words you don't typically see in an ABC book, and even more important---it's hilarious! I can't wait to read this one to the grandkids :D

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest alphabet books I've ever seen!

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with teaching the ABCs, this book entertains the reader by wonderful illustrations and characters.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told with only a handful of words and each word follows alphabetical order. A cute/funny take on an ABC book.

[Leslie Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorably quirky ABC book will make you laugh till your belly hurts!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations and twenty-six simple words introduce the alphabet through the adventures of a cave man.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your run of the mill ABC book, this title has a word on each page set in the timem of cavemen. Unique and fun, children will look forward to the next page's aspect of the caveman's adventure.

[Megan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quirky little concept book based on the alphabet. This book manages to tell more story in 26 words than most authors do in 10 times that many or more. I loved the cartoonish illustrations.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun alphabet book and, in my opinion, a slightly different take on alphabet books that I'm totally on board with.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, fantastic story. I like the use of the alphabet to enhance the plot. Highly recommended.

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells a story A-Z Lots of fun and talking points for buddy reading!

[Robin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a household favorite. It's a story told in 26 letters. It's my favorite ABC book of all time.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so funny! I loved it.