The Dangerous Alphabet Book

by D.K. Ryland

From Diabolical Dart Frogs to Perilous Piranhas, here's a unique, humorous alphabet book featuring a dangerous yet feisty cast of characters that will have readers gleefully giggling their way through the alphabet!

Adorable Avocado, our sweet narrator, is rudely interrupted by Angry Alligator who intends to throw the orderly world of the alphabet into sheer chaos. From A to Z, the two competing characters argue over what’s Elegant Eggplants or Eerie Electric Eels? Kissing Kiwis or Killer King Cobras? With each letter providing a new zany battle between the delightful and the dangerous, and an unexpected twist ending, readers ages 3 to 7 will be on the edges of their seats as they relish this alphabet adventure. 

In this fresh and funny twist on a classic alphabet book, a hilarious cast of characters with loads of personality takes something expected—the alphabet—and spins it into a wildly unexpected story that readers will reach for over and over.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The delightful alphabet is good. The dangerous alphabet might be better. But together is definitely the best. This book is pretty funny and definitely cute! And don't won't the dangerous parts aren't too scary for our sensitive littles. I loved this book and its illustrations. I definitely want a copy on our bookshelf

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Taleah Ushendibaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real talk: you always see the same things in abc books. A for apple and all that. This is a cool take on the each letter stands for. It is perfect for a little boy, and I will definitely buy this for my son.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique way to learn the alphabet. Too long for Storytime but would work great with parents/caregivers and their littles.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this silly picture book, the main characters go back and forth about what kinds of examples they should give for each letter of the alphabet. The avocado tries to present fruits and veggies doing innocent activities, but the alligator wants to focus on dangerous, scary animals. The two of them argue back and forth, presenting their different visions, until they combine efforts at the end. This is a cute story about the creative process and compromise, but I'm not sure who it will be the best fit for.

The humor will be mostly lost on little children who are learning the alphabet for the first time, and some of the concepts and illustrations may be too scary for littles. However, older, elementary-aged kids who would appreciate the humor may feel that an alphabet book is too babyish and below their level. It may just take the right adults to introduce this to the right kid or group of kids. It would definitely make a fun read-aloud.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kristi Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids have spoken and The Dangerous Alphabet Book is the best book ever!

The Dangerous Alphabet Books meets a cute avocado prepared to use fruit and other produce to introduce the ABCs. That is until an alligator hops onto the scene and wants to make the story more exciting by using Barbaric Black Widow Spiders, Carnivorous Cougars and other ‘dangerous’ critters instead. In a battle of wills to tell this story, the avocado starts turning the produce into ghastly things like Trollish Turnips, changing the mind of his once critic, the alligator.

The Dangerous Alphabet book is clever, uses tons of alliteration, and had my kids giggling and gasping at every page.

Thank you to Netgalley and Astra Publishing House for an early release copy of this book!

The Dangerous Alphabet book releases November 11th, 2025-mark your calendar!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ABC book unlike any you've ever seen: it includes Lacrosse-playing Lemons, Menacing Millipedes, and Nasty Narwhals. At the Rancid Radishes and their sad little fallen green tufts of leaf-hair, I quit resisting and just fell in love with the book. Wait for the end reveal of the Zombie Zucchinis, you may be running away from the book alongside Avocado and Alligator...or turning to the first page to rediscover again all of the silly alphabet characters again.

Would be a fun way to introduce adjectives in a classroom setting, or a fun introduction to the ABCs for littles, especially acted out with prop puppets (sharing some additional explanations as needed).

Themes: ABCs, humor
Ages: 2nd-3rd grade
Pub year: 2025

[Stephen Meng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your standard Alphabet book, but a very cute spin on it. What happens when the Dangerous words in the Alphabet want to be in the Alphabet book? Well in DK Ragland’s “The Delightful Dangerous Alphabet Book” that exactly what you get, but the delightful fruits push back and ensues a charming, delightfully funny and yes dangerous twist on the traditional Alphabet story. This is a charmingly, funny and delightfully dangerous (Not scary at all) for your little Avocado or Alligator to learn their ABCs. So let’s start with A Aovcado or A Alligator and see and learn what delightful and dangerous funny words each letter of the Alphabet is.

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dangerous Alphabet Book by DK Ryland is indeed a delightful alphabet book, both in word and illustrations.
This book has subtle lessons in alliteration, descriptive words, opposites, and the animal kingdom. Avocado is indeed adorable, and angry alligator becomes less so as the book progresses. The illustrations are fun and contain many different elements to discover. This book is both fun and funny and is sure to be enjoyed by the entire family.
Thank you for the ARC of #TheDangerousAlphabetBook to #NetGalley.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover caught my attention, because the word was crossed out. Very clever way to teach vocabulary words to a child. Not your basic ABC book. I enjoyed the banter between the avocado and the alligator. Funny, nice illustrations, and it held my interest. I think any parent would enjoy reading this to a child and explaining the new vocabulary. For a teacher, students could do research on the animals new to them.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original spin on an alphabet book. I know a lot of my students would really enjoy the "spooky" creatures that take over the pages. I'd recommend for kindergarten+ as I've found that speech bubbles in books can sometimes confuse younger children. That being said it is still definitely worth a read and if your child is younger, they can still enjoy the story (but maybe with a bit of paraphrasing).
Thank you, Astra Publishing House, for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts off as any normal alphabet book beginning with Avocado, ends up with a battle between Avocado and Alligator as Alligator tries to make the book more dangerous and exciting. Carnivorous cougars replace the cartwheeling carrots. Alligator's ideas inspire Avocado to come up with some scary ones of his own, until he comes up with one that scares even himself.

Kids will have fun with the alliteration and illustrations, inspiring them to come up with their own scary combinations.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Bored of alphabet fruit books? Then how about a more dangerous one? This book is for you! I loved the avocado running with commentary throughout alligator’s more dangerous book. It’s not only a fun idea, but you get two alphabet books in one as they cross out sweet fruit words with more “dangerous” ones. A great book for those who want a little more exciting ABC book.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun alphabet alliteration gold mine! I love this book, it had me laughing with all of Avocado and Alligator's antics. I can easily see this book being a great addition to any preschool classroom. What a delightful way to make the alphabet both exciting, frightening and sweet.

*Thank you to Astra Publishing House and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jesus Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for this digital ARC.

This was not your typical alphabet book. It was a hilarious yet charming way to teach the younger kids about the alphabet. Avocado and Alligator were hilarious and a dynamic duo. I hope this becomes a series and we see them in other adventures. Perhaps a counting book.

[JWPreK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for a review of this book. As a Pre-K teacher, I am a fan of alphabet books and I have many in my personal collection. The Dangerous Alphabet Book promises to be a new favorite. I love the twist and the personalities of the avocado and the alligator. I will be recommending this to all my teacher friends.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway and I am so excited to read this to my students on Monday. It is a wonderful way to teach them alliteration and will introduce them to an abundance of good adjectives. My first graders will get a kick out of it, but I can also imagine my fourth grade students learning some good vocabulary as well.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and hilarious twist on a traditional children’s alphabet book with incredible graphics. Would definitely recommend and purchase for my kiddo!

Thank you to the author, Astra Pub, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

[Deena Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Avocado and Alligator get into a competition about the alphabet. Avo wants cute veggie alliterations. Ali wants terrifying creatures.

By the end they have compromised, and create an imaginative book kids will love.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was dangerously delightful! Highly recommend teachers who teacher alliterations and adjectives. Even my five year old enjoyed this one, but I think the overall idea went over his head. Also, a great add for librarians. Keep an eye out for this upcoming book!

[Kimberly Delude · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dangerous Alphabet book is clever and full of alliteration that will have kids gasping and laughing through the pages. It’ll be a go to night after night and will spark a debate on just what an alphabet book should look like.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via an online reader. Fun, alternative alphabet book. Good for most ages right up to adults.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great take on introducing the alphabet. Not all sugar canes and marshmallows.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful and calamitous alphabet book! So much fun!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and fun illustrations. Better for 5 and up.

[Raven Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fun, unique take on the alphabet! Perfect for the preschool/kindergarten generation these days with colorful artwork and giggle-inspiring text.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this one, despite the slugs and earthworm on the 'insects' page.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This utterly original and hysterical alphabet book is sure to be a hit with young readers - it sure made me laugh! Fun illustrations and, spoiler alert - zombie Zucchinis - all fresh and wonderful!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist and has some great kid appeal!

[Lauren M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun, fresh take on an alphabet book! Alligator is right - so many alphabet books use fruits and other foods! Let's add some danger!

[Syntha Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious