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Basher: ABC Kids
Using creative alliteration, his signature Manga-style artwork, and his eye for clever design, Simon Basher brings a fresh approach to reimagining the alphabet. Each spread brings a new letter, a new friend, and some hilariously imaginative action. From Arthur, whose angry ant ate apples, to Maude whose mean monkey makes marvelous milkshakes, to Vera who vacuums vegetables, and Zak who zaps zeppelins, each page of this book begs to be turned to see what's coming next.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 22, 2011
Cute illustrations and nice big upper- and lowercase letters. I also like how the entire alphabet is printed across the bottom of the page so kids can see where in the alphabet the letter appears. However, it seems like K and Z could have been improved upon: "Kitty's kangaroo kicks koalas." I really don't want kids (or animals) kicking ANY animals. "Zack zaps zeppelins" shows an illustration of a boy using a gun to shoot blimps from the sky, and the gun has little hearts around its laser beam. Huh?
October 8, 2018
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A very clever alphabet book. As with many alphabet book, this one dedicates one page spread to each letter. The impressive thing is that it also creates a sentences using only words that start with that letter. This is even more remarkable later in the alphabet, especially for x, y, and z.
I'll admit some of the sentences are a little weird. "Kitty's kangaroo kicks koalas" was maybe not the best sentence to include. I know there's not a k-verbs. But maybe kisses? I think that may have gone over better than kicks.
Cute illustrations. Some are weird, but overall this is a cute alphabet book.
A very clever alphabet book. As with many alphabet book, this one dedicates one page spread to each letter. The impressive thing is that it also creates a sentences using only words that start with that letter. This is even more remarkable later in the alphabet, especially for x, y, and z.
I'll admit some of the sentences are a little weird. "Kitty's kangaroo kicks koalas" was maybe not the best sentence to include. I know there's not a k-verbs. But maybe kisses? I think that may have gone over better than kicks.
Cute illustrations. Some are weird, but overall this is a cute alphabet book.
September 1, 2017
I liked this book for its conceptual message it gives to kids. I liked the fact that every word in the sentences started with the same letter it went with. The only dislike I have is due to starting with every letter the same sometimes they were not complete sentences. I think starting young and giving examples of sentences will help kids be able to build their own.
September 14, 2017
This is a very good ABC book, for beginning readers. Some of the words are difficult throughout this book, but the pictures help balance it out. For each letter of the alphabet, the author gave a name. The names were hard to pronounce, especially for younger children. (ex: Edna and Franklin)
I like how each page was a different color, it made the book more fun.
I like how each page was a different color, it made the book more fun.
August 30, 2017
For the hundreds of different ABC books that I have read to kids, I enjoyed this book. I thought that the author did a good job with the letters and sentences. My kids also enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to others.
October 16, 2021
Nonsensical tongue twisters.
March 4, 2022
Basher ABC
February 25, 2023
Really loved how the entire alphabet was shown on the bottom of the page.
But K couldn't have been something better than kicking koalas?
But K couldn't have been something better than kicking koalas?
October 20, 2024
Fun! 2 year old liked it too
February 25, 2013
I like to think I'm an expert on alphabet books. Or, at least I know what parents want when they come in to the library looking for one. We have many beautiful alphabet books - mostly long on concept and short on purpose.
A good, useful alphabet book has:
Lots of white space to show up both the letters and the picture.
Large letters in both upper and lower case for the alphabet.
Basic objects that are easy to recognize or to run across in real life and that have ...
Simple words to go with the picture.
Now, I know we're always going to have trouble with X and some books "cheat" by using words that begin with "ex" and capitalizing the X - which is valid considering the paucity of words starting with X. I was intrigued by this book, wondering how Simon Basher would handle sticky problems like X while creating whole sentences out of each letter of the alphabet. Oddly, I think that made things easier.
Not only are they complete sentences, but each letter has a child's name (which helps to provide a subject etc. for the sentence). Each letter has one page showing upper and lower case, the sentence, and an illustration of the sentence as well as a facing page with the main object, the word written in nice, large font, and the entire alphabet at the bottom with the particular letter underlined to show its place. In other words: a very thorough job.
The pictures are stylized and cartoony - and because of the sentences' restriction to words beginning with a certain letter - necessarily surreal. I don't believe lobsters have tongues with which to lick lollipops, but only a real killjoy would complain about that. There is a lot of blank space around the elements of the page, keeping the busy-ness level down, although in this case it's pastel colors and not actual white.
In short, this book has all the qualifications of a good and useful alphabet book ... with something more. Because of the sentences, the book will still be enjoyable for early elementary grades. As the child progresses, she can try to create her own silly sentences like these.
I only subtract one point because I was frankly appalled by Kitty's kangaroo's behavior. Heh! Just kidding. The stylized illustrations bugged me a little. If Kitty doesn't mind her kangaroo kicking koalas at her, then I'm down with it too.
A good, useful alphabet book has:
Lots of white space to show up both the letters and the picture.
Large letters in both upper and lower case for the alphabet.
Basic objects that are easy to recognize or to run across in real life and that have ...
Simple words to go with the picture.
Now, I know we're always going to have trouble with X and some books "cheat" by using words that begin with "ex" and capitalizing the X - which is valid considering the paucity of words starting with X. I was intrigued by this book, wondering how Simon Basher would handle sticky problems like X while creating whole sentences out of each letter of the alphabet. Oddly, I think that made things easier.
Not only are they complete sentences, but each letter has a child's name (which helps to provide a subject etc. for the sentence). Each letter has one page showing upper and lower case, the sentence, and an illustration of the sentence as well as a facing page with the main object, the word written in nice, large font, and the entire alphabet at the bottom with the particular letter underlined to show its place. In other words: a very thorough job.
The pictures are stylized and cartoony - and because of the sentences' restriction to words beginning with a certain letter - necessarily surreal. I don't believe lobsters have tongues with which to lick lollipops, but only a real killjoy would complain about that. There is a lot of blank space around the elements of the page, keeping the busy-ness level down, although in this case it's pastel colors and not actual white.
In short, this book has all the qualifications of a good and useful alphabet book ... with something more. Because of the sentences, the book will still be enjoyable for early elementary grades. As the child progresses, she can try to create her own silly sentences like these.
I only subtract one point because I was frankly appalled by Kitty's kangaroo's behavior. Heh! Just kidding. The stylized illustrations bugged me a little. If Kitty doesn't mind her kangaroo kicking koalas at her, then I'm down with it too.
March 31, 2012
Basher: ABC Kids by Basher is a very stylized look at the ABC's with a word, its picture and the position of the letter in the alphabet on one page, and a sentence both written and pictured with upper and lower case for each letter on the facing page.
Bssher's stylized manga-like illustrations will attract many. My favorite images include Cuckoo collects coins, Gertrude's greedy goat, Henry's hairy hat, Leonard's lobster, Nancy & noodles, Olga's octopus, unicycles underwater, vacuums vegetables, and Xavier & xylophones.
I really liked showing both upper & lower letters and the position of the letter within the alphabet. The sentences use lots of alliteration and a large font. The pictured & written word was large and easy to see. I liked the variety of animals pictured. This is a well designed & imaginative ABC book. Some people will love this.
Curmdugeony me did not like some of the actions pictured. Should juicy jellyfish be juggled? Is it OK to kick a Koala? Should children be encouraged to eat milkshakes with increasing childhood obesity? Should young children be screaming at slugs? Do we need to show the yucky Yak's scat? Is Zak pretending to zap a Zeplin or is he really shooting down an aircraft? I know I'm probably nit-picking, but I don't think young children should consider these actions to be aceptable behavior.
I would buy the book for a library collection, but probably not use it in storytime, since I would feel compelled to point out bad behavior, ruining the flow of the abc book. I give this a 5 for design, much lower for content and overall a 3.5 rating.
For ages 2 to 7, alphabet, alliteration, animals, and fans of Basher.
Bssher's stylized manga-like illustrations will attract many. My favorite images include Cuckoo collects coins, Gertrude's greedy goat, Henry's hairy hat, Leonard's lobster, Nancy & noodles, Olga's octopus, unicycles underwater, vacuums vegetables, and Xavier & xylophones.
I really liked showing both upper & lower letters and the position of the letter within the alphabet. The sentences use lots of alliteration and a large font. The pictured & written word was large and easy to see. I liked the variety of animals pictured. This is a well designed & imaginative ABC book. Some people will love this.
Curmdugeony me did not like some of the actions pictured. Should juicy jellyfish be juggled? Is it OK to kick a Koala? Should children be encouraged to eat milkshakes with increasing childhood obesity? Should young children be screaming at slugs? Do we need to show the yucky Yak's scat? Is Zak pretending to zap a Zeplin or is he really shooting down an aircraft? I know I'm probably nit-picking, but I don't think young children should consider these actions to be aceptable behavior.
I would buy the book for a library collection, but probably not use it in storytime, since I would feel compelled to point out bad behavior, ruining the flow of the abc book. I give this a 5 for design, much lower for content and overall a 3.5 rating.
For ages 2 to 7, alphabet, alliteration, animals, and fans of Basher.
December 10, 2013
Genre: Alphabet Book
Copyright: 2011
This is a cute and interesting alphabet that is slightly different from other ones. This book not only introduces alphabets but also uses alphabets a lot in sentences. For example, the introduction of letter "M" comes with a sentence "Maude's mean monkey makes marvelous milkshakes" (unpaged)-- alliteration! Also, readers will see pictures with a monkey drinking milkshakes. Another example is on the page that introduces the letter "V." Readers will see pictures of a little girl with a vacuum and lots of vegetable, and the sentence goes like this: "Vera vacuums various vegetables" (unpaged). Though sentences do not make sense in real life, they do entertain readers, especially young children!
Copyright: 2011
This is a cute and interesting alphabet that is slightly different from other ones. This book not only introduces alphabets but also uses alphabets a lot in sentences. For example, the introduction of letter "M" comes with a sentence "Maude's mean monkey makes marvelous milkshakes" (unpaged)-- alliteration! Also, readers will see pictures with a monkey drinking milkshakes. Another example is on the page that introduces the letter "V." Readers will see pictures of a little girl with a vacuum and lots of vegetable, and the sentence goes like this: "Vera vacuums various vegetables" (unpaged). Though sentences do not make sense in real life, they do entertain readers, especially young children!
June 8, 2016
Another fun alphabet book. For each letter on the left page is an alliterative verse, like "Jasper juggles juicy jellyfish" complete with silly picture and a large upper and lower case letter. On the right page is one word, like jellyfish in this case and an alphabet with the showcased letter underlined.
I think this book will be good for newish readers (some of the words are unusual like "zeppelin"). What I like about this book is that I can just read the right hand pages for my infant who doesn't seem to appreciate the nonsense sentences, but hopefully later we can move on to just the left pages.
I think this book will be good for newish readers (some of the words are unusual like "zeppelin"). What I like about this book is that I can just read the right hand pages for my infant who doesn't seem to appreciate the nonsense sentences, but hopefully later we can move on to just the left pages.
July 25, 2014
A fantastic alphabet book. With sentences that only start with the letter featured.
An outstanding example of a good alphabet book. It peaks their interest shows examples of everything that's discussed and didn't even stumble on the harder letters.
I would definitely read this at storytime, could use for alphabets, obviously, but also for any of the animals or items featured, also for parts of speech and poetry. I think a great craft for this book would be to have the kids make their own sentences using the first letter of their own names and then drawing a picture of whatever they came up with.
An outstanding example of a good alphabet book. It peaks their interest shows examples of everything that's discussed and didn't even stumble on the harder letters.
I would definitely read this at storytime, could use for alphabets, obviously, but also for any of the animals or items featured, also for parts of speech and poetry. I think a great craft for this book would be to have the kids make their own sentences using the first letter of their own names and then drawing a picture of whatever they came up with.
May 17, 2011
Basher's whimsical illustrations feature kids from A-Z in playful, alliterative sentences, "Queenie questions quivering quails, Brianna bounces beautiful bugs, and Jasper juggles juicy jellyfish." This is a delightful book for introducing the alphabet to primary readers who can see both upper and lower case letters featured in every sentence, and find each letter's location on the A to Z alphabet line scrolling across the bottom of each page. Older readers can explore alliteration and parts of speech.
September 10, 2011
Fun, manga inspired artwork offers a fresh look at the basic alphabet book. Basher packs his book with learning opportunities by presenting readers with the capital and lowercase level, the letter's position in the whole alphabet, and a very silly alliterative sentence that employs the letter at the start of every word, including a proper noun, verb, noun, and adjective, for most letters. So while "Olga's octopus owns oodles of opals," "Xavier x-rays xylophones." Lots of fun for both those first learning the alphabet and those who have long mastered it.
December 10, 2013
Genre: alphabet book
Copyright: 2011
This book introduces alphabet and gives each letter a sentences with the same first letter. For instance, the introduction of D comes with "Dexter's dog dances dreadfully". Also, Readers could see a picture which shows the dog is dancing dreadfully. The cute illustrations not only present the condition of the sentences, but also could attract children. It is a great book to teach alphabet and let children learn more different words start with the same first letter.
Copyright: 2011
This book introduces alphabet and gives each letter a sentences with the same first letter. For instance, the introduction of D comes with "Dexter's dog dances dreadfully". Also, Readers could see a picture which shows the dog is dancing dreadfully. The cute illustrations not only present the condition of the sentences, but also could attract children. It is a great book to teach alphabet and let children learn more different words start with the same first letter.
August 26, 2014
"ABC Kids" is a great book for kids who are only getting familiar with the alphabet and and learning their letters. The book uses a great font so that if the children who are having the book read to them can see what the letter they are learning looks like. I loved how each word in the sentences started with the letter being learned. My only concern with the book is that for letters that don't have near as many words to use that children know (z, for example), they used the word "Zeppelin", which the children more than likely don't know what it is.
November 22, 2015
This is a fun, visual children's book that can be used to teach the alphabet. There are large, colorful illustrations. It is an attention grabbing book because of these wonderful illustrations. The letter sounds are also incorporated with this book to teach children their letter sounds. I would use this book in a Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten classroom to teach the alphabet, as well as focus on individual letters specifically. This would be a great book to use for a visual arts activity with letters.
May 3, 2011
Quirky but fun. Each letter has a two-age spread. The first page clearly shows each upper and lower case letter, which is incorporated into a drawing that illustrates a wacky alliterative sentence. The second page has a drawing of one object from the sentence with the word written above and a complete alphabet list at the bottom of one page with the current letter underlined.
Not exactly mainstream, but very cool!
Not exactly mainstream, but very cool!
October 11, 2011
My favorite ABC book, because i loved the idea of making a sentence using one letter. Like Ursulas uncle unicycles underwater, because it makes it fun to read and they also added images of what the senteces was about. Another aspect of the book that i thought was clever and helpful was that they had the whole alphabet at the bottom of each right page and the letter that we were reading on that page was underlined on that page. I think its a helpful and fun for children to read.
March 6, 2012
Pretty adorable illustrations on each alliterative page here. Animals and characters are chubby and round, and they put me in mind of candies and products produced in Asia. They're really pretty cute.
1st grade compared this to Dr. Seuss's ABC yesterday. Seuss rhymes, this doesn't. Seuss has imaginary creatures, this doesn't. But they're both cute and the vote was split right up the middle on which book was the favorite.
1st grade compared this to Dr. Seuss's ABC yesterday. Seuss rhymes, this doesn't. Seuss has imaginary creatures, this doesn't. But they're both cute and the vote was split right up the middle on which book was the favorite.
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March 5, 2013toddler story time; Alphabet knowledge, print motivation, phonological awareness
This is a book that has simple phrases and large letters. The pages are thick and easily handled by a toddler who knows not to rip pages. The alphabet is written on the bottom of the page and the appropriate letter is highlighted. The word that is being mentioned in in all CAPS and the pictures are bright and cheerful. I would recommend this for toddler story time.
This is a book that has simple phrases and large letters. The pages are thick and easily handled by a toddler who knows not to rip pages. The alphabet is written on the bottom of the page and the appropriate letter is highlighted. The word that is being mentioned in in all CAPS and the pictures are bright and cheerful. I would recommend this for toddler story time.
Read
November 24, 2015"ABC Kids" by Simon Basher is a great ABC children's book. This book is filled with colorful and fun illustrations to grab the students eye. This book also has the letters sound right next to it as well so you can learn the sound to go with it. I would have this book in my classroom to teach the alphabet to pre-k or kindergarten students. I could also incorporate fine arts into this lesson with my students.
Want to read
November 27, 2015This book provides a fresh approach to reimagining the alphabet. Each letter in ABC Kids brings a new letter, a new friend, and some fun imaginative action. I would use this book in my classroom to show my students how fun using different form on literature are. I would also use this book to capture to attention of my students, and to make learning the alphabet fun. This would be a great book to use at many different grade levels to explore many different levels of literature curriculum.
November 25, 2015
ABC Kids is used to help kids start to learn and pick out the alphabet in words. Through eye catching pictures, and usage of enthusiastic language young readers are wanting to keep reading to see what is to come on the next page. In my classroom, I would use this book to help my students make connections of letters with words, animals, and objects. Also it would be a good book to help students continually refresh the alphabet in a fun way.
Read
November 30, 2015 This book provides a fresh approach to reimagining the alphabet. Each letter in ABC Kids brings a new letter, a new friend, and some fun imaginative action. I would use this book in my classroom to show my students how fun using different form on literature are. I would also use this book to capture to attention of my students, and to make learning the alphabet fun. This would be a great book to use at many different grade levels to explore many different levels of literature curriculum.
May 23, 2011
I'm not a huge fan of Basher's art (seeing his slug with a smiley baby face kinda gives me the creeps) but this is a decent alphabet book: one sentence per page, all alliteration, large upper- and lower-case letters and the alphabet on every spread with the featured letter bolded so kids can see its place in line, and art bright and large enough for a group read.
September 17, 2013
Read by: Annie
Author: Simon Basher
Genre: Traditional Literature
Interest Level: PK-K
Grade Level Equivalent: 3
This books contains funny alliterations and illustartions to go along with each letter of the alphabet (example: Brianna bounces beautiful bugs.) Great vocab builder and spelling aid. Kids will laugh at the silly details in the pictures. So did I.
Author: Simon Basher
Genre: Traditional Literature
Interest Level: PK-K
Grade Level Equivalent: 3
This books contains funny alliterations and illustartions to go along with each letter of the alphabet (example: Brianna bounces beautiful bugs.) Great vocab builder and spelling aid. Kids will laugh at the silly details in the pictures. So did I.
November 11, 2014
Each page spread features a letter showing it nice and big in both upper and lower case. There is a single sentence using many words starting with the letter featured on the page. There is no continuous plot, but each page is like a mini story and they are fun featuring kids and animals. Its a little spunky though - I noticed animals pooping in at least two pictures!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews