Alphathoughts: Alphabet Poems

by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Marla Baggetta (Illustrator)

Celebrated poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins takes a fresh look at the alphabet in this bright and bold book of verse, illustrated with graphic flair by Marla Baggetta. Twenty-six spare yet playful poems offer amusing definitions of words--E for elevator, H for handkerchief, N for nachos--that begin with each letter of the alphabet. For an extra surprise, each poem contains an additional word that start with the same letter--perfect for young readers to discover. This happy collection of original verse delivers a delightful surprise on every page.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Lee Bennett Hopkins was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017. He holds a Guinness Book of Records citation for compiling the most anthologies for children. He has also received the Christopher Award, the Regina Medal, and the National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. He lives in Florida.

For more information, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ben...

Reviews

[Taylor Galloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to have inside a classroom for various reasons. This book could be used to introduce students to the letters of the alphabet as well as the poetry style of free verse. With each letter being presented there is a word and a free verse poem about that word as well. Also, there are beautiful illustrations that look to be done in watercolor. To make this book more of a lesson in the classroom students can try to copy the technique in the book. Students can try to write their own free verse poem about a word starting with each letter of the alphabet.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of this book would fall under informational picture book and category is alphabet. This book displays twenty-six letters of the alphabet that come with definitons of the word each letter begins with. For example: G is for Gymnasiium, a place where girls' and guys' muscles race. Each page has the letter, word, definition, and a fun picture.
A. illustrations
B. I love how the pictures for each word have just enough detail to where it is not too complex for a child, but not too simple. The title, "Alphathoughts," fits great with the style and illustrations. I feel it is a very appropriate and well made book because it's interesting and has a wide range of words and definitions. There are simple words like mask and nachos, and there are more complicated words like reunion and gymnasium.
C. On page 10, it is the letter H for "Handkerchief," and there is a close up illustration of a boy blowing his nose with one. The definition states,"A piece of cloth to wipe one's hopeless nose as it goes out of control," and the picture goes great with the word.

[Dominique Maderitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alphathoughts: Alphabet Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins,winner of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Won the award in my option because it was a creative way of rhyming and using the alphabet in an extensive and educational way. This book was a new approach to the alphabet. It was a cute way to teach the children the letters. I loved how each page was devoted to each letter and was described in detail so children could easily understand and making meaning to eat letter. The many words in the story would also be great for children to learn. This story would be wonderful for pre-k and kindergarten classrooms.

[Sarah Hannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Reaction- I liked this poetry book because it was set up in an informational alphabet-learning layout. This allows the reader to learn and recall on their letters to relate to words that begin with the same letters and a free-verse poem to explain what the word means.

Purposes: First Grade Read-aloud
Curriculum:
-Introduction to poetry unit
-Unit on reviewing the alphabet and small words when students arrive at the beginning of the school year.
Enrichment:
-Used to explain words such as "ornithologists," "ponder," and "implements."
-Enjoyable first look at poetry because it is simple and as free-verse it doesn't have to follow a particular format.

[Tiffany Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alphathoughts is a cute book of poetry for kindergarten or first grade students. I would use this book while teaching alliteration. During writing, students could create their own book of Alphathoughts focusing on alliteration and rhyming. I also enjoyed the illustrations and the school type references for each letter of the alphabet.

[Brooke Van]

I chose this book because it would be a nice reminder to third graders about the different words made from certain letters.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Alphathoughts: Alphabet Poems” by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Illustrations by Marla Baggetta, published by Wordsong; copyright 2003

1. Awards: No awards.
2. Appropriate grade level: Pre-K through 2nd grade.
3. Summary: This poem book contains a poem for something beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Topics include custodians, teachers, and zoos.
4. Review: This collection of poems is delightful to read. I really enjoyed how some of the poems were funny, while others were informative. The illustrations were warm and nice to look at. I think kids would really like to flip through this book and find their favorite poem.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
• Make a class list of A-Z words through brainstorming, then write a class poem based off of the favorite word.
• Write a poem based off the first letter of your name.