Alpha Bravo Charlie: The Military Alphabet

by Chris L. Demarest

Using words to represent each letter of the alphabet is called the International Communications Alphabet (ICA). This alphabet is utilized by the United States military and throughout all civil aviation to clarify and strengthen communications.
Complete with the signal flags that the United States Navy has created to give each letter a color-coded shape, Chris Demarest's dynamic alphabet book honors the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in our armed forces -- and will thoroughly engage young

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Kids, Military Fiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2005

About the author

Writer and illustrator of works for children.

Reviews

[*The Angry Reader*]

What a great book for a little boy! The military alphabet illustrated with planes, soldiers, medics and helicopters. The illustrations weren’t striking, but they went with the text. I also thought some of the concepts were a little heady for a child just learning the alphabet. But it’s an incredibly neat idea, and probably very attractive to a little boy. This meets a child’s informational needs by catering to a specific population.

[Acton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very fun to read because it has a lot of information. It teaches you the army alphabet. This is a really good book. (Cash)

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

"ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE" by Demarest is an advanced alphabet book based on the military alphabet. Each page provides a detailed illustration of various military equipment. I call this book advanced, simply because it would not be the first thing I would use to teach the alphabet in a classroom, or even in my own home. Initially, I would introduce children to a book containing just the letters of the alphabet attached to no words. After they have mastered the alphabet, I would provide them with this book. Being that I use the military alphabet to refer to letters, I think it is a very beneficial book to have children read and learn for future reference. I think it would be a nice addition to the library of a student with speech problems, because they can refer to a word for the letter they are trying to present, versus struggling trying to make the sound of the letter. In conclusion, the book is wonderfully put together and has a place on my personal bookshelf!

[Jeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be an excellent gift to a military family with toddler or new baby. My four year old was confused by the mention of bulletproof vests and very worried about an image of a medical evacuation. Was good to use for an age appropriate discussion of the military. The illustrations are well down and show a diversity of genders, skin colors and jobs

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three-year-old grabbed this off the shelf at the library. I'm pretty sure it was the airplane, affectionately called a rocket by my sweet son, that inspired the snag. I was in the Air Force and appreciated the opportunity to explain the alphabet to my children.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun military alphabet book for toddlers and adults. The illustrations of airplanes, helicopters, and ships entertained my toddler. I normally don't care for pro-military stuff in kids books, but this was pretty tame.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good variation. Would be good for children interested in military or “military brats.” But lacks depth. Good info about the history and importance of the alphabet in the “authors note”

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An elementary and up guide to what each letter means and is said as in the military.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars--This book explains the military alphabet, along with corresponding flags for each letter. A section in the back explains how and why the familiar "Alpha Bravo Charlie" system began.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this for a kid who is just starting to learn to read and I think it will be perfect for him. Beautiful illustrations.

[Brandy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Military alphabet. Great illustrations go with it.

[Krystal 🦢 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linc absolutely LOVES this book, and would have given it 5 stars. Me, I'm not a huge fan, and probably would give it only 1 star. But since there is really nothing wrong with it, I met Linc in the middle and gave it 3 stars.

I like the idea of learning the military alphabet, and I thought the preface and end notes of the book were really interesting. Each letter has what they use in the military, so for example A is for Alpha, B is for Bravo, etc. And then it gives a little sentence at the bottom of the page that uses a word for the letter in some sort of military context. So for example, Brave soldiers prepare for Battle. It's not graphic (no blood or guts or anything, and it's not political, and it has some pretty good pictures of airplanes, tanks, ships, etc. which is probably why Linc loved it so much. I was kind of hoping it would have been more about the military alphabet, like why the decided to use aplpha for A instead of like Atlantic or something. In the very least, they could have made it rhyme or a little more catchy, or put some sort of thought into it. That's why I didn't like it I guess, I felt it was lacking the creativity or deeper insite I wanted. But a three year old isn't look for deeper insite, so it worked well for Linc. :)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Kindergarten son was allowed to dress up for Hallowe'en, as long as it was as a character from a book. My son wanted to be a pilot, and my first thought was "The Little Prince", but not many Kindergarten students read "The Little Prince". Then I remembered Chris Demarest. Chris Demarest is kind of my go-to guy for military-themed books, and mostly because of his amazingly timeless artwork.

My son dressed up as a pilot for the Storybook parade at his school, and he carried this book. And he loves this book, because it is an alphabet book that features pilots.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format (retro art, vibrant color, and insertion of pages with flags/shapes/colors) make this a book that will appeal to many ages. I've yet to meet a kid who wasn't intrigued by codes and "secret" messages, so this one offers layers upon layers of fun and challenges" Phonetic, morse, and semaphore does for standard alphabetic letters.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A alphabet picture book detailing and describing the use of the International Communications Alphabet (ICA) which military personnel have adapted to avoid the confusion which sometimes happens when they speak the letters verbally.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the alphabet according to the military. To quote the silly Top Gun parody Hot Shots, "Yankee Doodle Floppy Disk, this is Foxtrot Zulu Milkshake, checking in at 700 feet!"

Illustrations are okay.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool illustrations about the military life. The text is okay, but my son loves looking at the pictures and talking about them.

[L Campagnola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also shows the flag alphabet. Good to know.

[Tamara the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool abc book with great illustrations dealing with the military. Great book for boys. Not so good as a read aloud to the students.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featuring Demarest's signature pastels. The endpapers are decorated with signal flags. Each letter has its military designation (A = alpha, B = bravo, etc.), with a related illustration.

[Dan Cornellier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated pastels. If you're a fan of pastels, definitely read it.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit advanced for showing the alphabet. Military words for each letter.

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the theme of this book, the history provided at the end and the beautiful illustrations.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has seen a lot of action at our library. Great for those kids who are really into the military or military vehicles.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique alphabet book with both military alphabet words and flags using military things to illustrate the letter.

[Kimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book. The military alphabet, my 5 year old son thought this was awesome!