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Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for all the Letters
THE alphabet book to top all others, from the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit!
If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters.
The most inventive and irresistible book of the year spans a mere 26 letters (don't they all!) and 112 pages. From an Astronaut who's afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, Once Upon an Alphabet is a creative tour de force from A through Z. Slyly funny in a way kids can't resist, and gorgeously illustrated in a way readers of all ages will pour over, this series of interconnected stories and characters explores the alphabet in a way that will forever raise the bar.
In Once Upon an Alphabet, #1 New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers has created a stunning collection of words and artwork that is a story book, alphabet book, and gorgeously designed art book all in one.
Praise for ONCE UPON AN ALPHABET:
* "The silly, spare, slightly surreal text occasionally rhymes and endlessly surprises. An utterly delightful alphabet book."–Kirkus Review, starred review
* "An altogether stimulating, surprising, and satisfying reading experience."–School Library Journal, starred review
"Jeffers knows how to catch the attention of his young audience while challenging their imagination, intellect and vocabulary. This whimsical exploration of letters and language begs to be read over and over again."–Book Page
If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters.
The most inventive and irresistible book of the year spans a mere 26 letters (don't they all!) and 112 pages. From an Astronaut who's afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, Once Upon an Alphabet is a creative tour de force from A through Z. Slyly funny in a way kids can't resist, and gorgeously illustrated in a way readers of all ages will pour over, this series of interconnected stories and characters explores the alphabet in a way that will forever raise the bar.
In Once Upon an Alphabet, #1 New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers has created a stunning collection of words and artwork that is a story book, alphabet book, and gorgeously designed art book all in one.
Praise for ONCE UPON AN ALPHABET:
* "The silly, spare, slightly surreal text occasionally rhymes and endlessly surprises. An utterly delightful alphabet book."–Kirkus Review, starred review
* "An altogether stimulating, surprising, and satisfying reading experience."–School Library Journal, starred review
"Jeffers knows how to catch the attention of his young audience while challenging their imagination, intellect and vocabulary. This whimsical exploration of letters and language begs to be read over and over again."–Book Page
112 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2014
52 people are currently reading
2799 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Jeffers
108 books2,783 followersOliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 654 reviews
January 5, 2023
The "Short Stories For all the Letters" are inventive, cleverly connected, and humorous. Well, maybe not the cautionary tale of the Cup in the Cupboard who jumped to the concrete countertop below to be free. . . Beginning with an Astronaut named Edmund who is afraid of heights and ending with the Zeppelin that Edmund purchases with many a story in between --several featuring the Owl and the Octopus, this will be a book you discover new treasures in each time you open it.
November 5, 2014
Beware ever becoming a brand, my sweet, for that way lies nothing but unhappiness and ruin. Or not. I think the only real and true problem with becoming extremely popular in your field is that you have to battle on some level the ridiculous expectations others set for you. You did “X” and “X” was popular? Make another “X”! Creativity is haphazard and in the children’s book biz even the most popular illustrators do jobs that simply pay the bills. Such is NOT the case with Oliver Jeffers’ Once Upon an Alphabet. I have seen Jeffers do books that were merely okay and some that didn’t quite pass muster. I have also seen him be consistently brilliant with a style that is often copied, whether artistically or in tone. Yet in his latest book he does something that I honestly haven’t really seen before. Each letter of the alphabet is worthy of a story of its own. Each one distinct, each one unique, and all of them pretty much hilarious. No other author or illustrator could do what Jeffers has done here or, if they did, the tone would be entirely off. Here we have an abecedarian treat for older children (at least 6 years of age, I'd say) that will extend beyond Jeffers’ already gung-ho fan base and garner him new devotees of both the child and adult persuasion.
“If words make up stories, and letters make up words, then stories are made of letters. In this menagerie we have stories, made of words, made for all the letters.” So begins Once Upon an Alphabet, a book that seeks to give each letter its due. The tales told vary in length and topic. For example, “A” is about Edmund the astronaut who wants to go on an “adventure” and meet some “aliens” “although” there’s a problem. “Space was about three hundred and twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and sixteen feet above him . . . and Edmund had a fear of heights.” Many of the stories seen here rely on a twist at their conclusion. Danger Delilah may laugh in the face of Death but she’ll book it double time when her dad calls her for dinner. And then there’s Victor, plugging away on his vengeance. Told with wit and humor these tales are each and every one consistently amusing and enjoyable.
One thing that sets Jeffers apart from the pack is his deft wordplay. He has always been as comfortable as a writer as he is an illustrator or artist. Examining the tales I saw that some of the stories rhyme and others do not. This could potentially be off-putting but since each letter stands on its own I wasn’t bothered by the choice. The book could also be a very nice writing prompt title, not too dissimilar from Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Once kids get the gist of what Jeffers is doing here they could be encouraged to write their own letter-inspired tales.
As for the art, it’s recognizably Jeffers, but with a twist. A close examination of the book shows that Jeffers changes up his artistic style quite a bit. While I’d say all his art is recognizably Jeffersish, his choices are fascinating. What determines whether or not a character gets a nose? Why is the terrified typist of “t” made so realistic while Ferdinand of “F” is done in a more cartoony style? Then there’s the use of color. Generally speaking the book is black and white but is shot through with different colors to make different points.
You also begin to read more into the illustrations than might actually be there. When the elephant dutifully eats nearly nine thousand envelopes in answer to a riddle, he is directed to do so by a nun who is keeping score. Adults will see this and wonder if it’s the equivalent of that old riddle about how many angels will dance on the head of a pin. I know the nun is there because the letter is “N” but that doesn’t stop me from seeing a connection. Other times there are connections between letters that aren’t explicitly mentioned but that will amuse kids. The owl and octopus that search and correct problems fix the cup that made an unseemly break (literally) for freedom at the letter “C” only for it to break again around the letter “T”. Then there are the back endpapers, which manage to wrap up a number of the stories in the book so subtly you might not even realize that they do so. See the frog hit on the head with a coin? That’s the ending to the “F” tale. And a closer reading shows that each person on the back endpapers correlates to their letter so you can read the alphabet found on the front endpapers through them. Pretty slick stuff!
I guess the only real correlation to this book is Edward Gorey’s Gashlycrumb Tinies alphabet. Even if the name sounds familiar I’m sure you’ve heard it. “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears.” I’ve often thought that Jeffers’ sense of humor owes much to Gorey’s. You see it in letters like “H” which features a woman falling off a cliff or “T” where an author meets an untimely end at the hands (or, more likely, mouth) of a monster. And like Gorey, Jeffers is capable of giving potentially gruesome and macabre poems an almost sweet edge. Gorey’s stories dealt well in funny melancholy. Jeffers, in contrast, in a form of humor that turns tragedy on its head.
From what I can tell the book is pretty universally loved. That said, it is not without its detractors. People who expect this to be another alphabet book for young children are bound to be disappointed. No one ever said alphabet books couldn't be for older kids as well, y'know. And then there's one criticism that some librarians of my acquaintance lobbed in the direction of this book. According to them some letter stories were stronger than others. So I read and reread the book to try and figure out which letters they might mean. I’m still rereading it now and I’m no closer to finding the answer. Did they not like the daft parsnip? The missing question? The monkeys that move underground? I remain baffled.
Or maybe I just like the book because it ends with a zeppelin. That could also be true. I really like zeppelins. I am of the opinion that 90% of the picture books produced today would be greatly improved if their authors worked in a zeppelin in some way. Heck, it’s even on the cover of the book! But if I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, I suspect that even if you removed every last zeppelin from Once Upon an Alphabet I’d still like the puppy. A lot. A lot a lot. You see Jeffers knows how to use his boundless cleverness for good instead of evil. This book could be intolerable in its smarts, but instead it’s an honestly amusing and tightly constructed little bit of delving into the alphabet genre. It remains aware from start to finish that its audience is children and by using big long fancy dance words, it never talks down to kids while still acknowledging the things that they would find funny. All told, it’s a pip. No picture book alphabet collection will be complete without it.
For ages 6 and up.
“If words make up stories, and letters make up words, then stories are made of letters. In this menagerie we have stories, made of words, made for all the letters.” So begins Once Upon an Alphabet, a book that seeks to give each letter its due. The tales told vary in length and topic. For example, “A” is about Edmund the astronaut who wants to go on an “adventure” and meet some “aliens” “although” there’s a problem. “Space was about three hundred and twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and sixteen feet above him . . . and Edmund had a fear of heights.” Many of the stories seen here rely on a twist at their conclusion. Danger Delilah may laugh in the face of Death but she’ll book it double time when her dad calls her for dinner. And then there’s Victor, plugging away on his vengeance. Told with wit and humor these tales are each and every one consistently amusing and enjoyable.
One thing that sets Jeffers apart from the pack is his deft wordplay. He has always been as comfortable as a writer as he is an illustrator or artist. Examining the tales I saw that some of the stories rhyme and others do not. This could potentially be off-putting but since each letter stands on its own I wasn’t bothered by the choice. The book could also be a very nice writing prompt title, not too dissimilar from Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Once kids get the gist of what Jeffers is doing here they could be encouraged to write their own letter-inspired tales.
As for the art, it’s recognizably Jeffers, but with a twist. A close examination of the book shows that Jeffers changes up his artistic style quite a bit. While I’d say all his art is recognizably Jeffersish, his choices are fascinating. What determines whether or not a character gets a nose? Why is the terrified typist of “t” made so realistic while Ferdinand of “F” is done in a more cartoony style? Then there’s the use of color. Generally speaking the book is black and white but is shot through with different colors to make different points.
You also begin to read more into the illustrations than might actually be there. When the elephant dutifully eats nearly nine thousand envelopes in answer to a riddle, he is directed to do so by a nun who is keeping score. Adults will see this and wonder if it’s the equivalent of that old riddle about how many angels will dance on the head of a pin. I know the nun is there because the letter is “N” but that doesn’t stop me from seeing a connection. Other times there are connections between letters that aren’t explicitly mentioned but that will amuse kids. The owl and octopus that search and correct problems fix the cup that made an unseemly break (literally) for freedom at the letter “C” only for it to break again around the letter “T”. Then there are the back endpapers, which manage to wrap up a number of the stories in the book so subtly you might not even realize that they do so. See the frog hit on the head with a coin? That’s the ending to the “F” tale. And a closer reading shows that each person on the back endpapers correlates to their letter so you can read the alphabet found on the front endpapers through them. Pretty slick stuff!
I guess the only real correlation to this book is Edward Gorey’s Gashlycrumb Tinies alphabet. Even if the name sounds familiar I’m sure you’ve heard it. “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears.” I’ve often thought that Jeffers’ sense of humor owes much to Gorey’s. You see it in letters like “H” which features a woman falling off a cliff or “T” where an author meets an untimely end at the hands (or, more likely, mouth) of a monster. And like Gorey, Jeffers is capable of giving potentially gruesome and macabre poems an almost sweet edge. Gorey’s stories dealt well in funny melancholy. Jeffers, in contrast, in a form of humor that turns tragedy on its head.
From what I can tell the book is pretty universally loved. That said, it is not without its detractors. People who expect this to be another alphabet book for young children are bound to be disappointed. No one ever said alphabet books couldn't be for older kids as well, y'know. And then there's one criticism that some librarians of my acquaintance lobbed in the direction of this book. According to them some letter stories were stronger than others. So I read and reread the book to try and figure out which letters they might mean. I’m still rereading it now and I’m no closer to finding the answer. Did they not like the daft parsnip? The missing question? The monkeys that move underground? I remain baffled.
Or maybe I just like the book because it ends with a zeppelin. That could also be true. I really like zeppelins. I am of the opinion that 90% of the picture books produced today would be greatly improved if their authors worked in a zeppelin in some way. Heck, it’s even on the cover of the book! But if I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, I suspect that even if you removed every last zeppelin from Once Upon an Alphabet I’d still like the puppy. A lot. A lot a lot. You see Jeffers knows how to use his boundless cleverness for good instead of evil. This book could be intolerable in its smarts, but instead it’s an honestly amusing and tightly constructed little bit of delving into the alphabet genre. It remains aware from start to finish that its audience is children and by using big long fancy dance words, it never talks down to kids while still acknowledging the things that they would find funny. All told, it’s a pip. No picture book alphabet collection will be complete without it.
For ages 6 and up.
March 1, 2024
Este livro é delicioso😊
August 17, 2017
5 stars from me and 39 from Delaney.
Delaney - "I didn't like it because it had a octopus and I don't like books with octopuses"
Me- "So how many stars would you give it?"
Delaney - "thirty nine!"
Me - "why would you give a book so many stars if you didn't like the book?"
Delaney - "Because I love stars"
Delaney - "I didn't like it because it had a octopus and I don't like books with octopuses"
Me- "So how many stars would you give it?"
Delaney - "thirty nine!"
Me - "why would you give a book so many stars if you didn't like the book?"
Delaney - "Because I love stars"
May 18, 2017
Oliver Jeffers has done it again! He awes, amuses, and inspires letter by letter in his own unique, quirky way. It feels like a brand new alphabet!
Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters is a storybook gem. The big book size and pages lure readers in at first sight! The weight of the book and pull of the pages as you turn adds to the magic and wonder. Every letter has a story to tell. Tales filled with wit and whimsy and words! So many wonderful words. There are lumberjacks, octopuses and terrified typists! I loved each and every letter. Listen to “M”….
“Mary is made of matter.
So is her mother.
And her mother’s moose.
In fact, matter makes up everything
from magnets and maps to
mountains and mattresses.
Mary discovered all of this the
marvelous day she got sucked
through a microscope and
became the size of a molecule.”
The humor is subtle and smart. Jeffers uses words, letters, AND pictures to charm and entertain. Be sure to look at the details. Like the hat Victor in “V” is wearing while planning his vengeance! Haha….Brilliant!
Mr. Jeffers makes every letter shine with style and sound and stories. But at the same time shows how all the letters are connected. The letters need each other. Inspire and complement each other. I always thought "L" and "M" made a perfect couple. :D
This book is a must read. Word magic and laughs for all ages!
What’s your favorite letter?
February 17, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
One who reads many books aloud can get rather tired of A-B-C books. . . you can only do so much with them, right? It's either about the subject approach (vegetables v animals v colors, etc), or its about the art, style and layout. Mr. Jeffers took another tack and creatively wove a little story around each letter, and some had cross overs between letters - the kids loved that best of all.
Awesome approach and won all of us. . . we would like a sequel to all the letters. . .perhaps a novella? We wait patiently, but with breath abated during said wait.
One who reads many books aloud can get rather tired of A-B-C books. . . you can only do so much with them, right? It's either about the subject approach (vegetables v animals v colors, etc), or its about the art, style and layout. Mr. Jeffers took another tack and creatively wove a little story around each letter, and some had cross overs between letters - the kids loved that best of all.
Awesome approach and won all of us. . . we would like a sequel to all the letters. . .perhaps a novella? We wait patiently, but with breath abated during said wait.
October 17, 2024
از نظر کیفیت و از نظر کمیت (بخوام دقیق بگم ۲۶ تا) از تاریک ترین و بامزهترین کارهای جفرز بود.
برای هر حرف الفبا یا یه میکروفکشن نوشته یا وان لاینر. تصاویر هم همگی عالی از آب در اومدن. یه cameo هم از شخصیت Boy داشت که جالب بود.
دقیقاً الان میفهمم چرا جفرز از هوییز برای اعداد استفاده کرد ولی برای این مجموعه نه. اینجا اصلا اتفاق کسل کنندهای نمی افته. نه حتی یه ورق.
یه عنصر تکرار شونده دیگه هم اضافه کردم به قاموس جفرز: فضا و پرواز
پدر مادرهایی که این کتابو برای بچهشون میخونن شایسته بچهدار شدن هستن. یا باید به جرم کودک آزاری زندانی بشن. دوگانگیٍ جفرزی داره.
برای هر حرف الفبا یا یه میکروفکشن نوشته یا وان لاینر. تصاویر هم همگی عالی از آب در اومدن. یه cameo هم از شخصیت Boy داشت که جالب بود.
دقیقاً الان میفهمم چرا جفرز از هوییز برای اعداد استفاده کرد ولی برای این مجموعه نه. اینجا اصلا اتفاق کسل کنندهای نمی افته. نه حتی یه ورق.
یه عنصر تکرار شونده دیگه هم اضافه کردم به قاموس جفرز: فضا و پرواز
پدر مادرهایی که این کتابو برای بچهشون میخونن شایسته بچهدار شدن هستن. یا باید به جرم کودک آزاری زندانی بشن. دوگانگیٍ جفرزی داره.
November 16, 2016
I love the little connections with all of Jeffers other stories. :)
January 10, 2019
This was great! I read it to myself and laughed all the way through, and I am not a 'laugh out loud' kind of person. (I'm more the smile type, then move on.)
I want to read this with my ten-year-old grandson as I know he'd get the inside jokes, the silliness, the fact some characters keep popping up throughout the book.
What it is: Short short stories featuring each letter of the alphabet. Some are absolutely silly; others take you by surprise. My favorites: the letter 'C' for cup in the cupboard, sitting there lonely and alone. Then there's 'E' for elephants and envelopes - how many elephants can YOU fit in one envelope? (There'll be a surprise later on with a different letter.) H for half a house on a hill was great, along with 'O' or 'onward' featuring an owl who rides an octopus, and yes they make other appearances, too.
Great book. Love it!
I want to read this with my ten-year-old grandson as I know he'd get the inside jokes, the silliness, the fact some characters keep popping up throughout the book.
What it is: Short short stories featuring each letter of the alphabet. Some are absolutely silly; others take you by surprise. My favorites: the letter 'C' for cup in the cupboard, sitting there lonely and alone. Then there's 'E' for elephants and envelopes - how many elephants can YOU fit in one envelope? (There'll be a surprise later on with a different letter.) H for half a house on a hill was great, along with 'O' or 'onward' featuring an owl who rides an octopus, and yes they make other appearances, too.
Great book. Love it!
August 25, 2016
Would this have been recognized as publishable had not Jeffers already been successful? Perhaps not.
Or, perhaps. Consider that most letters have at least one qualifying image that is not named (the nun, in 'N,' is uncredited, for example). Consider the several recurring characters, which makes a reader look forward to a reread (crucial in a children's book, especially in one parents may be pressed to read to their youngest children). Consider the extra surprises: a collaged image (not drawn as most of the book is), jokes for the adult reader, subtle use of pops of color....
Not a five-star book. I currently have access to no child, and am not tempted to reread it just for myself. Jeffers' scribbly style of art is still not 'enoyable' to me. The concept is a head-slapper--why has this never been done before?--so it gets points for originality. But I don't think the book is destined to be a classic to be treasured by future generations, and I won't push it on my family to read, and so I give it 3.5 stars... rounded down because GR community is just too dang excited.
Not to be read on an e-reader - images need the oversize pages for both impact and detail.
Or, perhaps. Consider that most letters have at least one qualifying image that is not named (the nun, in 'N,' is uncredited, for example). Consider the several recurring characters, which makes a reader look forward to a reread (crucial in a children's book, especially in one parents may be pressed to read to their youngest children). Consider the extra surprises: a collaged image (not drawn as most of the book is), jokes for the adult reader, subtle use of pops of color....
Not a five-star book. I currently have access to no child, and am not tempted to reread it just for myself. Jeffers' scribbly style of art is still not 'enoyable' to me. The concept is a head-slapper--why has this never been done before?--so it gets points for originality. But I don't think the book is destined to be a classic to be treasured by future generations, and I won't push it on my family to read, and so I give it 3.5 stars... rounded down because GR community is just too dang excited.
Not to be read on an e-reader - images need the oversize pages for both impact and detail.
September 5, 2017
The always delightful Jeffers presents a story for every letter of the alphabet. We meet a swell cast of characters, including an astronaut who's afraid of heights, an octopus and owl who solve problems, and a lumberjack who likes getting struck by lightning:
The best part is when some of the characters make special guest appearances in other letters' stories.
I LOVED this one!
The best part is when some of the characters make special guest appearances in other letters' stories.
I LOVED this one!
October 30, 2020
A collection of 26 wonderful short stories, which each link to a letter of the alphabet. I love how some of the stories interlink and bring real connection throughout the book. This book has so much to offer, and you could explore a new letter each day, unpicking the story and working out the problems that the letters solve. Some stories follow a verse, poetic like, form whilst others are like really short stories. A fabulous collection of stories. The book always presents the letters in capital and lower case form, hence providing a great learning resource for children in KS1 learning phonics. I've always enjoyed the illustrative style of Jeffers stories, including the likes of; The day the crayons quit, The heart and the bottle, what we'll build. I feel this book also provides opportunities for cross curricular learning, e.g. the letters M, O, W, and could be used really well within the classroom.
The style of the story really invites children in and makes the book really accessible.
I love this story and I cannot wait to share it with children in the future!
The style of the story really invites children in and makes the book really accessible.
I love this story and I cannot wait to share it with children in the future!
June 3, 2023
I continue to trust Oliver Jeffers in writing whimsical and imaginative stories with the most fun illustrations.
April 4, 2022
Immensely talented author/artist Oliver Jeffers presents twenty-six amusing short stories, some interrelated, in this marvelously entertaining alphabet book. Opening with Edmund the astronaut, who recurs in the Z/Zeppelin entry, the brief vignettes here are by turns hilarious and intriguing, and will leave readers and listeners wanting more...
Part picture-book, part story-collection, Once Upon an Alphabet is a title that will have appeal for children of a variety of ages. As always with Jeffers' books, the humor here was very appealing. I liked the Father Ted reference in the F entry ("Careful Now"), and that the E and N entries were interrelated. I also (of course!) loved the Owl/Octopus duo who recurred in a number of the stories. Recommended to all Oliver Jeffers fans, to anyone looking for alphabet books that are a little different, and to those seeking picture-books with a more extensive text.
Part picture-book, part story-collection, Once Upon an Alphabet is a title that will have appeal for children of a variety of ages. As always with Jeffers' books, the humor here was very appealing. I liked the Father Ted reference in the F entry ("Careful Now"), and that the E and N entries were interrelated. I also (of course!) loved the Owl/Octopus duo who recurred in a number of the stories. Recommended to all Oliver Jeffers fans, to anyone looking for alphabet books that are a little different, and to those seeking picture-books with a more extensive text.
December 7, 2023
I don't add every children's book we read to my goodreads, but I wanted to make sure I marked this one so I have it as a reference for when I'm out and about and want to buy for others. I received this as a gift at a baby shower for my first kid, and we didn't start reading it until recently now that my kids are/were around 4/5 years old.
This is an alphabet book --- but it's a series of little short stories about each letter and it is funny and charming. Some of the little stories tie in to each other, and have little easter eggs if you're looking.
We enjoy it thoroughly and read it many a night at bedtime. It’s honestly so funny and witty and has a bunch of little callbacks to the other stories inside of itself. My kids absolutely love it and so do I.
This is an alphabet book --- but it's a series of little short stories about each letter and it is funny and charming. Some of the little stories tie in to each other, and have little easter eggs if you're looking.
We enjoy it thoroughly and read it many a night at bedtime. It’s honestly so funny and witty and has a bunch of little callbacks to the other stories inside of itself. My kids absolutely love it and so do I.
December 4, 2015
I'll be the one. I'll say it: this is The Gashlycrumb Tinies for the next generation. I mean...longer stories, and not claustrophobically cross-hatched, and not terribly violent, except for that part where the cup jumps off the shelf, but it is funny, and it is alphabetically themed, and some of the characters are dressed anachronistically... Ok so it's not MUCH like Edward Gorey's collection of depraved imagined death, but it is KINDA.
Oh just read it. You'll see.
All my picks for best books to give this holiday are at http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2...
Oh just read it. You'll see.
All my picks for best books to give this holiday are at http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2...
October 8, 2014
A beautiful line, subtle (for the most part) color, great design, and plenty of wit, but WHO is the audience for this book? Librarians, I suspect, but the humor often seems outside the realm of young children. I wanted to love this but I didn't find enuf of a CONNECTION between these clever stories or surprises in text. I think Jeffers is suffering from Too Much Confidence here, though I'm a fan of almost all his books.
December 3, 2014
hilarious and what a great abc book idea! i think it's my absolute favorite.
June 6, 2019
Just lovely 😊
December 12, 2023
Delightful. 7 years was the perfect age for this one. We loved Owl and Octopus the most.
February 12, 2016
A collection of very short often-interlinked stories based around the letters of the alphabet. Some of the stories are only a few sentences, some may rhyme and some may be read as free verse - all are illustrated in Jeffers' inimitable style.
It's difficult to categorise this book as it tends to cross-over into different genres. You could argue that it is a picturebook (I like the size and shape which is generally associated with non-fiction rather than narrative), a part-poetry book and also a clever narrative in which multiple stories cross over into each other. This, I feel, is why it is appealing to all primary-age children. Actually, if I really enjoyed it then maybe older children too.
The format of the book begins with us being introduced to a single-page capital letter with a setting or character from the story accompanying it. The following page always has the capital letter and lower case letter followed by the story which is always presented on a double-page spread.
There are too many stories that I enjoyed in this book that it would be silly to share them all. I loved the little nod to Jeffers' Boy and Penguin but also found new characters who were even more appealing (O is my favourite letter).
I can think of many ways that I could use this book in the classroom but I would want to savour the reading, humour and discovery of all the stories first. This may be my favourite Jeffers book.
It's difficult to categorise this book as it tends to cross-over into different genres. You could argue that it is a picturebook (I like the size and shape which is generally associated with non-fiction rather than narrative), a part-poetry book and also a clever narrative in which multiple stories cross over into each other. This, I feel, is why it is appealing to all primary-age children. Actually, if I really enjoyed it then maybe older children too.
The format of the book begins with us being introduced to a single-page capital letter with a setting or character from the story accompanying it. The following page always has the capital letter and lower case letter followed by the story which is always presented on a double-page spread.
There are too many stories that I enjoyed in this book that it would be silly to share them all. I loved the little nod to Jeffers' Boy and Penguin but also found new characters who were even more appealing (O is my favourite letter).
I can think of many ways that I could use this book in the classroom but I would want to savour the reading, humour and discovery of all the stories first. This may be my favourite Jeffers book.
September 16, 2015
Twenty-six funny little stories, each one themed by an alphabet letter. Some of the stories feel a bit 'dark' or even gruesome...but no worse than anything dreamed up by Shel Silverstein back in the day. Pointless and silly, this is the book I wish I'd had when I was a new reader and just discovering chapter books. Nice and fat, you feel like you've got something here, but are never overwhelmed with too many difficult words. Overall, I liked this book a lot.
March 18, 2015
Jeffers strikes again!
There really are no words to describe how absolutely fantastic this book is. What a clever idea! Brilliant execution. Everything just fits together snuggly is this gem of book.
I immediately purchased a copy after reading it at the library.
There really are no words to describe how absolutely fantastic this book is. What a clever idea! Brilliant execution. Everything just fits together snuggly is this gem of book.
I immediately purchased a copy after reading it at the library.
December 4, 2014
Many of these mini-stories
were weird, wonderful, and worked.
A few were coy, contrived, and didn't click
with me.
were weird, wonderful, and worked.
A few were coy, contrived, and didn't click
with me.
October 16, 2014
kinda gloomy and will kids get it?
I will stick with crayons.
I will stick with crayons.
Read
January 18, 2015This is one heck of a picture book. I don't think I have ever seen one quite like it. Engaging text and quirky, interesting illustrations.
November 20, 2014
One of my favorite picture books of the year. It's an alphabet book that rewards close reading and gets better as the reader gets older. A lot of fun.
January 17, 2015
Each letter gets its own story and sometimes they are linked!
Clever, clever, clever.
Clever, clever, clever.
January 24, 2015
Cracking up in B&N.
November 7, 2021
For adults 4.5. For target 3.
This is a tough one to rate. I loved it but the story is definitely not for the learning-the-alphabet target audience.
This is a tough one to rate. I loved it but the story is definitely not for the learning-the-alphabet target audience.
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