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A is for Zebra
Mark Shulman and Tamara Petrosino return with a fabulous follow-up to last season’s AA is for Aardvark. And it's got a clever new twist. The alphabetic antics continue starting from the end! That's why A is for zebrA and Z is for jazZ, and nothing's what you'd expect. The featured letter doesn't appear just once; it's sprinkled throughout the hilarious illustrations. The I page not only has sushI, there's delI, spaghettI, graffitI, and khakI, too. And if you think working backwards makes it easier, well, just try to come up with words that end in Q or J! The results can be quite surprising!
Teachers, librarians, parents, and kids will love the silly but smart acrobatics involved in unearthing all these words, along with the witty way the book reinforces the sounds of letters and teaches kids how much fun playing with language can be.
Teachers, librarians, parents, and kids will love the silly but smart acrobatics involved in unearthing all these words, along with the witty way the book reinforces the sounds of letters and teaches kids how much fun playing with language can be.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2006
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 22, 2011
At first I didn't get this book. But then I realized that the letters stand for what comes at the end of a word. So zebra is for the letter "a" because it ends in "a." After that I really liked the book. How often do you look at the alphabet based on the ends of words?
December 5, 2008
This is a wonderful book especially if you happen to be gifted with a child that does not like to look at the world as proscribed.
September 9, 2020
This book is an ABC picture book by Mark Shulman, illustrated by Tamara Petrosino. Each page represents a letter of the alphabet and has words that end with that letter.
The pictures in this story have a lot going on. Almost every letter has a new scene, new characters, new setting, etc. Also in the pictures, were more words that ended with the letter. This made the story seem a little chaotic. The pictures were brightly colored, and detailed, which definitely catches readers' attention. The pictures were all humorous and would probably make students laugh.
This book could be used for preschool or kindergarten students to teach the alphabet, and the way that the letters sound. I personally would not use this book to teach the alphabet to my students. I am unable to remember what words and pictures were used for each letter of the alphabet, because it used the last letter of the word, so it may confuse students. I also think that the book would work better if the words that were chosen were more memorable. I cannot remember any of the words that were used in the book. I do appreciate the author's attempt to drift from the typical alphabet book, but the book seemed too chaotic to teach the alphabet to younger children.
The pictures in this story have a lot going on. Almost every letter has a new scene, new characters, new setting, etc. Also in the pictures, were more words that ended with the letter. This made the story seem a little chaotic. The pictures were brightly colored, and detailed, which definitely catches readers' attention. The pictures were all humorous and would probably make students laugh.
This book could be used for preschool or kindergarten students to teach the alphabet, and the way that the letters sound. I personally would not use this book to teach the alphabet to my students. I am unable to remember what words and pictures were used for each letter of the alphabet, because it used the last letter of the word, so it may confuse students. I also think that the book would work better if the words that were chosen were more memorable. I cannot remember any of the words that were used in the book. I do appreciate the author's attempt to drift from the typical alphabet book, but the book seemed too chaotic to teach the alphabet to younger children.
June 28, 2022
This would be a fun book to use with kids who are a little older and already familiar and comfortable with their letters and the sounds each letter makes. It's an ABC book but the featured letter is at the end of the word, not the beginning (A is for zebra, B is for Rub-a-dub-dub, etc.). There's no real story line (like most ABC books) but the illustrations are fantastic and putting the featured letter at the end of the featured word forces the reader to think a little harder, thus making it a great challenge for kids who think they already know their ABCs. A fun group read aloud. 3.5 stars
February 7, 2023
This is an adorable alphabet book that students in kindergarten and first grade would be enthusiastic about. It is a perfect book to discuss the alphabet with students because each letter ends the word the author talks about. The illustrations in the book also add to the story so it has more than the alphabet. I would love to include this book in my classroom library and use it as a read-aloud for students when beginning to talk about the alphabet.
February 8, 2023
this book is very educational, but in a different way than your typical alphabet book. When I began reading it I was slightly confused because it says things like " C is for Tic Tac, but not toe" this is confusing because none of those words begin with the letter C, but then I realized this book is helping learn about the ending letters in words. I think this is great book and it teaches the alphabet in a different way!
October 14, 2025
A Is for Zebra by Mark Shulman is a playful and surprising twist on the traditional alphabet book. Instead of matching each letter with its expected word, Shulman humorously pairs letters with unexpected animals and objects—inviting readers to think creatively and laugh along the way. The clever wordplay and bold illustrations make this book both educational and entertaining.
January 11, 2019
Very clever book. Alphabet letters are done A-Z but the letters are at then end of the word! Ex. A is for zebra. Fis for Wolf. All the pictures also have additional animals, pictures, words that also end in the letter featured on the page. School age kids would appreciate this!
February 10, 2023
At first the illustrations in the book seemed cluttered, but after looking deeper I realized the connection. Pictures of origami salami for I, so smart! This however would be a difficult book to teach the alphabet with but could be used after the child already knows.
February 14, 2023
I feel like this book could be confusing for young students due to it saying the letter is for the words that end in that letter and not start with it. It also has made up words in it and words spelled backwards.
September 1, 2020
It trird to match the letter to the end sound of the word. Feel like it's a little confusing for kids.
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March 8, 2017Awards: N/A
Age: Kindergarten to first grade
Summary: "A" Is for Zebra is different than the rest. Each letter isn't shown only once in the book, but multiple times throughout it. The illustrations are great, colorful and engaging. It gives the students a way to look at words differently and try to come up with their own words that go along with the pictures shown!
Review: This book gives a whole new perspective of the alphabet. It focuses on the end of the words, rather than the beginning. I would introduce this to kids once they know the alphabet 100% because it does give the new perspective, but I think it is a cute way to reinforce what the letters look like and how to recognize them within a word rather than just looking at the beginning of the word. I enjoyed that each letter has multiple references in the pictures. Mark Schulman knows how to take a simple concept and turn it into something the readers aren't going to expect at all!
In class use: (1) the students can receive a worksheet that has different words on it and the students have to circle, color, stamp, etc. the letters according to the color at the top of that page (like color by number, but its color by letter). (2) the students can make a class book, buy drawing their favorite animal and circling the last letter and writing "s is for octopus!"
Age: Kindergarten to first grade
Summary: "A" Is for Zebra is different than the rest. Each letter isn't shown only once in the book, but multiple times throughout it. The illustrations are great, colorful and engaging. It gives the students a way to look at words differently and try to come up with their own words that go along with the pictures shown!
Review: This book gives a whole new perspective of the alphabet. It focuses on the end of the words, rather than the beginning. I would introduce this to kids once they know the alphabet 100% because it does give the new perspective, but I think it is a cute way to reinforce what the letters look like and how to recognize them within a word rather than just looking at the beginning of the word. I enjoyed that each letter has multiple references in the pictures. Mark Schulman knows how to take a simple concept and turn it into something the readers aren't going to expect at all!
In class use: (1) the students can receive a worksheet that has different words on it and the students have to circle, color, stamp, etc. the letters according to the color at the top of that page (like color by number, but its color by letter). (2) the students can make a class book, buy drawing their favorite animal and circling the last letter and writing "s is for octopus!"
March 28, 2015
The alphabetic antics continue - starting from the end! That's why A is for zebrA and Z is for jazZ, and nothing's what you'd expect. The featured letter doesn't appear just once - it's sprinkled throughout the hilarious illustrations. The I page not only has sushI, there's delI, spaghettI, graffitI, and khakI, too. And if you think working backwards makes it easier, well, just try to come up with words that end in Q or J! The results can be quite surprising!
A is for Zebra is a very fun, entertaining and thought provoking book. Mark Shulman really does a good job with mixing things up in this superb alphabetic backward experience. I really enjoyed the way the each letter has several references in the pictures, so not only are you understanding that the letter is at the end of every word, but your trying to find others on the page that do the same.
The illustrations are cartoonish in nature but for a younger child I believe these would keep them interested and entertained trying to spot everything. The colors are vibrant and themed throughout the title.
The only negative or maybe I shouldn't say negative, but words of advise that I have for A is for Zebra is don't let your child read this or read it to them unless they are completely comfortable with knowing their letters and know the correct order they are in. I think back when I was a kid and having dyslexia I already had a hard time understanding the order of things and the correct way of writing them. If your child is struggling with any of it or just got it down, perhaps give them a bit more time before introducing this title to them. I'm not saying I believe they can't handle it, just know going in that it may confuse them a bit. This book really is an alphabetic backward experience.
I recommend for any child who has their alphabet down without looking at them and who is starting to read on their own. I know that may not seem fair, but truthfully I wouldn't be reading this title to my kids without them being able to tell me the alphabet without having to look at something with them on it and could tell me which letter I'm holding up on a gumbled deck of flashcards. Kids have a lot on their plates to remember and I don't want to be an additional set back!
Originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
A is for Zebra is a very fun, entertaining and thought provoking book. Mark Shulman really does a good job with mixing things up in this superb alphabetic backward experience. I really enjoyed the way the each letter has several references in the pictures, so not only are you understanding that the letter is at the end of every word, but your trying to find others on the page that do the same.
The illustrations are cartoonish in nature but for a younger child I believe these would keep them interested and entertained trying to spot everything. The colors are vibrant and themed throughout the title.
The only negative or maybe I shouldn't say negative, but words of advise that I have for A is for Zebra is don't let your child read this or read it to them unless they are completely comfortable with knowing their letters and know the correct order they are in. I think back when I was a kid and having dyslexia I already had a hard time understanding the order of things and the correct way of writing them. If your child is struggling with any of it or just got it down, perhaps give them a bit more time before introducing this title to them. I'm not saying I believe they can't handle it, just know going in that it may confuse them a bit. This book really is an alphabetic backward experience.
I recommend for any child who has their alphabet down without looking at them and who is starting to read on their own. I know that may not seem fair, but truthfully I wouldn't be reading this title to my kids without them being able to tell me the alphabet without having to look at something with them on it and could tell me which letter I'm holding up on a gumbled deck of flashcards. Kids have a lot on their plates to remember and I don't want to be an additional set back!
Originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
August 10, 2011
Mark Shulman and Tamara Petrosino return with a fabulous follow-up to last season's "AA is for Aardvark." And it's got a clever new twist. The alphabetic antics continue--starting from the end! That's why "A" is for "zebrA "and "Z" is for "jazZ," and nothing's what you'd expect. The featured letter doesn't appear just once--it's sprinkled throughout the hilarious illustrations. The "I" page not only has "sushI," there's "delI," "spaghettI," "graffitI," and "khakI," too. And if you thinkworking backwards makes it easier, well, just try to come up with words that end in Q or J! The results can be quite surprising!Teachers, librarians, parents, and kids will love the silly--but smart--acrobatics involved in unearthing all these words, along with the witty way the book reinforces the sounds of letters and teaches kids how much fun playing with language can be.
Might be a little to difficult for story time
Might be a little to difficult for story time
March 4, 2016
Sandra C Argueta
ETEC 545
March 3, 2016
Concept Book Review
Shulman, Mark. A is for ZebrA illustrated by Petrosino, Tamara New York: Sterling Publishing Co.,Inc.,2006
Mark Shulman and Tamara Petrosino are taking a fresh approach to this delightful Alphabet Book. It features “last Letter creatures” to represent the given letter, i.e., “A is For ZebrA…” the consonant and vowel sounds at the end of words represent lots of unexpected special guests such as a manx and a lynx for the letter X ; and kiwi for I and tenrec for the letter C. All vowels in this gorgeously and simply illustrated yet very appealing book are short, keeping it simple and consistent. The sentence structure at the top of the page features large text, encircled by speech bubbles to separate it from the rest of the appropriate ending letter creatures on the page, who are engaged in a corresponding letter’s action.
This book will engage children from 0 to 10.
ETEC 545
March 3, 2016
Concept Book Review
Shulman, Mark. A is for ZebrA illustrated by Petrosino, Tamara New York: Sterling Publishing Co.,Inc.,2006
Mark Shulman and Tamara Petrosino are taking a fresh approach to this delightful Alphabet Book. It features “last Letter creatures” to represent the given letter, i.e., “A is For ZebrA…” the consonant and vowel sounds at the end of words represent lots of unexpected special guests such as a manx and a lynx for the letter X ; and kiwi for I and tenrec for the letter C. All vowels in this gorgeously and simply illustrated yet very appealing book are short, keeping it simple and consistent. The sentence structure at the top of the page features large text, encircled by speech bubbles to separate it from the rest of the appropriate ending letter creatures on the page, who are engaged in a corresponding letter’s action.
This book will engage children from 0 to 10.
November 10, 2023
A is for Zebra by Mark Shulman; Illustrated by Tamara Petrosino
Shulman and Petrosino pair up perfectly for this fresh and almost backward take on ABCpicture books. Rather than each page having words and pictures that start with that letter this book goes through each letter using words and images that end with the letter. For example G has a piG with a peG leG dancing a jiG on a ruG. The illustrations by Petrosino make this book what it is. Even after reading this book a couple of times I continued to find new words ending with that letter on each page. I can see children having the same experience as they work on the sounds each letter can make. This book is perfect for 2nd-4thy graders working oon letter sounds and spelling.
Shulman and Petrosino pair up perfectly for this fresh and almost backward take on ABCpicture books. Rather than each page having words and pictures that start with that letter this book goes through each letter using words and images that end with the letter. For example G has a piG with a peG leG dancing a jiG on a ruG. The illustrations by Petrosino make this book what it is. Even after reading this book a couple of times I continued to find new words ending with that letter on each page. I can see children having the same experience as they work on the sounds each letter can make. This book is perfect for 2nd-4thy graders working oon letter sounds and spelling.
September 18, 2013
From my career as a reading tutor a love for alphabet picture books has followed. The problem is that once my students learn their ABC's these books are no longer needed. This is why I love this book. I can bring this book for all stages of learning. Children can pick out the letters in the words. This is a good test of whether or not they understand the letters or if they assume it will be the first letter of a word. This book also helps with understanding letter changes of plural forms. For instance "F is for wolf, but not for two." This is a fun and surprising book with plenty of twists to keep my students interacting.
September 21, 2009
A very clever alphabet book that uses the LAST letter in a word as the clue to the word...A is for zebrA, P is for hiP-hoP, U is for gnU. You get the idea and slightly older, savvy kids will,too. All the words and the pictures on each page have the same 'happy ending' scheme. Illustrations are fun and wacky, too.
Use for 10/2009 ABCs Gone Wild storytime.
Use for 10/2009 ABCs Gone Wild storytime.
October 28, 2012
Another clever alphabet book that focuses on last letters of words. Really a nice book for introducing the need to read through words. Cleverly presented with lots of embedded asides in illustrations.
October 3, 2013
A different twist on alphabet concept books. The focus is on the last letters of words instead of the first letters. That's why a is for zebra :) This book would be great for ages 6-8. Children might also appreciate the graphic reading included on some of the pages.
July 1, 2014
An unexpected find at the library. It was fun to read with 5 yr old learning letters and 8 yr old that could distinguish the pattern used in this unusual, but worthwhile alphabet book. T is for Intelligent Alphabet Insight!
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April 14, 2008Shulman, Mark K-1st
May 13, 2008
The author took a backwards approach to the alphabet. It was a fun idea, but the book was a let down. The illustrations weren't all that great either.
August 2, 2010
Good book for the advanced alphabet-ers in the older class because it uses the final letter in the word displayed with the ABC sequence.
July 17, 2011
For young children learning the intricacies of language, this book reinforces the importance of the last letter or ending of words. Great illustrations, too.
July 19, 2012
Love the challenge of figuring out all of the animals whose names end with the letters of the alphabet. I didn't get them all! What are those critters?!
July 7, 2013
Very cute concept. R is for clever!
September 9, 2013
Cool twst on the alphabet. Ending letters.
July 14, 2015
A alphabet book in which words qualify by their last letter.
Would be a fun book to recreate after a unit of study.
Would be a fun book to recreate after a unit of study.
September 21, 2015
An alphabet book that goes A-Z based on the last letter in each word. This book enjoyed itself more than I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews