The Alphabet Atlas

by Arthur Yorinks, Adrienne Yorinks (Illustrator), Jeanyee Wong (Illustrator)

An original alphabet book, which includes vibrant quilt illustrations, introduces the letters of the alphabet, as well as interesting facts about the countries of the world. By the author of the Caldecott Medal winner Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski.

Genres: Picture Books, Geography, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Arthur Yorinks is a playwright, director, and author of more than thirty-five picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal–winning Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski. His most recent picture book is Presto and Zesto in Limboland, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Arthur Yorinks lives in Cambridge, New York.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AN OPEN LIBRARY COPY (where the pages for the letter P are unfortunately missing)

Although I have visually very much enjoyed the quilt like illustrations by Adrienne Yorinks and Jeanyee Wong (they are colourfully expressive and I really do love that the physical outlines of each of presented nations are shown) and that I also and of course appreciate and understand that author Arthur Yorinks is obviously quite specifically and on purpose only presenting one or two basic pieces of geographic information regarding the A to Z countries featured in The Alphabet Atlas, sorry, but in my humble opinion The Alphabet Atlas could actually and in fact even should be oh so so much better and as such also much more interesting and educational.

For one, at the back of The Alphabet Atlas, Arthur Yorinks really does in my humble opinion absolutely require a substantial supplemental section presenting both additional geographic information about each of the counties showcased (and of course also listing other nations with the same first letters) as well as a bibliography of books and websites for further study and reading. Because yes indeed, I most definitely have found that the small bits of geographic details in the text proper of The Alphabet Atlas (whilst certainly interesting) have also just wetted my interest and appetite for more, and that even as a child, when I was of the same age as the intended picture book audience, I would have been wanting and needing more or at the very least an easy method and fashion for quickly obtaining, finding this (and well, the lack of a bibliography and no supplemental information certainly rather prevents the latter from happening with regard to The Alphabet Atlas). And for two, (and more of a personal aesthetic issue than a real and problematic shortcoming), although I do (and as already briefly pointed out above) find the illustrations for The Alphabet Atlas aesthetically appealing, I personally do think that each of the presented nations should aside from the accompanying artwork also be featuring one or two colour photographs (as I do think these would give child readers and listeners a more complete visual portrait than just looking at the quilt-like illustrations).

Therefore, for me personally, there is just too much missing and being ignored in The Alphabet Atlas to find the combination of text and images enough for a rating higher than two stars, and I also can therefore only recommend The Alphabet Atlas with a few major reservations.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Existence of back matter and appeal of illustrations earn the second star. The facts are mostly trivial, the communicative effect of the illustrations nonexistent, and back matter incomplete (and while winslowpress does still exist, it's pretty much useless).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published 30+ years ago, but it is still fun to look at. The illustrator spent a lot of time on this. I am constantly trying to expose my kids to geography and an understanding if people and places. This is a great introduction to several places.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun learning little tidbits about different countries :-)

[Gavin McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alphabet Atlas introduces readers to many countries in the world. It is great for students who are interested in geography or other cultures. Published May 1st, 1999. No awards. Concept book.

[Roger Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be used for several purposes, not only as a beginning book that focuses on the alphabet but also for geography and cultural diversity. Some of the wording may be difficult for early readers but it is worthwhile.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the book had a world map denoting the featured countries with alphabet letters so the young readers could see their locations relative to the rest of the world.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to use for teaching geography in intermediate elementary or middle school

[Annette Taylor-james · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome way of introducing new place names to children and talking about the world we live in and where others live. Great possibilities for all areas of learning.