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G Is for One Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book
Welcome to my silly dilly
take on ABC
It's lots of fun and really odd,
as you will quickly see
For they're no "leaping lizards" here
No "bears that bounce a ball"
In fact, these zany critters have
never been seen at all!
So turn the page and cast a gaze
on this menagerie,
but don't forget the beasts within
were all made up by me!
-- Tiny DiTerlooney
80 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2006
2 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Tony DiTerlizzi
130 books2,215 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating children’s books for twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Broken Ornament and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold over 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and translated in over thirty countries. He teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy as a picture book and his collaboration with celebrated author Mo Willems created the bestseller The Story of Diva & Flea. The Norman Rockwell museum’s retrospective, “Never Abandon Imagination”, featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, CNN, PBS, NPR the BBC and The Today Show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 4, 2023
Next to Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet. This is my second favorite alphabet book to share with children. DiTerlizzi wrote this book between the writing of the original Spiderwick Chronicles and the Beyond Spiderwick Trilogy. It is funny, fun and a wonderful book. It is large even for a picture book, but that just give DiTerlizzi even more room to illustrate and expound. The creatures he creates are like a cross between Dr. Seuss and Star Trek. They are done in a charming style and the bright vibrant colors of the book will draw children back to it again and again. Each letter has between 2 and three pages: a main drawing of a creature, a drawing of a young Tony and side comments that look like they have been hand written in on the pages. It is a wonderful book!
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More.
December 7, 2012
Most entetaining alphabet book I have ever read. DiTerlizzi does away with the classic systematic sequence of letters, and turns this into a story book instead.
There's two art styles to illustrate the story, one is more representational and the other is very reminiscent of Seuss, with wacky ink lines and flat spot colors.
The combination of the story plus the two art styles enable him to break the fourth wall easily, which makes this a very funny book to read.
There's two art styles to illustrate the story, one is more representational and the other is very reminiscent of Seuss, with wacky ink lines and flat spot colors.
The combination of the story plus the two art styles enable him to break the fourth wall easily, which makes this a very funny book to read.
August 21, 2011
Amazing! DiTerlizzi is one silly genius for sure! Every letter of the alphabet is represented by a "creachling" (or monster, if you like). Rhyming text reads much like poetry and the verses are definitely to make even the most serious person laugh out loud. Onsie, Twosie, Threesie add some numbers and mathematics to make a silly, mixed-up alphabet even more goofy. Definitely a fun read for children of ALL ages!
January 31, 2007
This is my new favorite kids book - but it's also one of MY favorite books, and I'm 27! I picked it up because I really like the illustrations, and then I fell in love with the way it was written. It's a different take on the whole alphabet book thing and I always appreciate authors and illustrators who think outside of the box like that.
June 9, 2011
This is easily one of my new favorite picture books. As an aunt to 10 (and one more on the way) I'm always looking for an interesting, non-traditional picture book. DiTerlizzi delivers. The book is fabulous fun - an updated Dr. Seuss. I'll be looking for his other work, as well as picking up copies of this one for future gifts.
November 15, 2011
I have never laughed harder with my son than we have with this book.
I picked this up at the library solely because I recognized Tony's name (an old colleague from our TSR days in the past). Now I'll be picking up at least 3 copies of this book for the coming Yuletide for various and sundry families and children who'll LOVE this book!
I picked this up at the library solely because I recognized Tony's name (an old colleague from our TSR days in the past). Now I'll be picking up at least 3 copies of this book for the coming Yuletide for various and sundry families and children who'll LOVE this book!
November 24, 2011
Since the schools have had to cut music and art programs I decided that when my children were with me I would do all that I could to cultivate their imagination. It's like Tony DiTerlizzi had my task in mind when he made this book.
The book is fun but not corny, and my kids asked so many questions while we were reading. We loved it.
The book is fun but not corny, and my kids asked so many questions while we were reading. We loved it.
January 15, 2012
A brilliant deviation for those of us jaded by the traditional, linear alphabet books.with 'G is for 1 Gzonk!' DeTerlizzi, one of our generations finest artists, is whimsically on par with the good Dr. (Seuss) and matching, if not surpassing, skilled illustration with the likes of Tennial and Holiday.
July 8, 2015
This is an incredibly fun book. Funny made-up animals, fourth-wall character interactions that "derail" the book in fun ways, fun annotations to the "illustrations in the illustrations," and a great "punchline" ending that makes brilliant and subtle use of the illustration styles.
I suppose if I had to pick a complaint, it would be that the rhyme scheme could be a little tighter.
I suppose if I had to pick a complaint, it would be that the rhyme scheme could be a little tighter.
October 21, 2010
Very cleverly written. Most entertaining ABC book ever.
September 21, 2015
Very weird, kinda subversive, and fun to read! Would be a fun read aloud!
April 29, 2014
Horn Book (Spring 2007)
A young artist's rhyming alphabet book, populated by silly monsters, is subverted by creatures intent on turning his illustrations into a counting exercise. The unadulterated zaniness of the text and illustrations seems intended to prevent, not promote, alphabet learning, and readers may become exhausted by the frenetic pace. A dedication in rhyme acknowledges the author/illustrator's debt to Seuss and Lear.
Kirkus Reviews starred (August 15, 2006)
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary "creachlings," colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century's middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, "say good-bye to boring books / where 'bears can bounce a ball,' " the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough-"A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes." Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike "Teedle-Weenie Woo" that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a "123" after reaching the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook" takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Library Media Connection (January 2007)
If you love alphabet books, this is one you will definitely want to add to your collection. With his rhyming lyrics, simple artwork, and imaginative creatures, the author delivers a unique alphabet book. On each page, the boy narrator is found in bold colors making crazy facial gestures relating to the letter characters. The letter characters are contrasted in one color scheme, and the author has included little explanatory notes. DiTerlizzi's imaginative illustrations are almost Seuss-like in their zany combinations of characters. Young children will enjoy the silly antics and poses of the characters and the flowing rhyme of the story. Beginning with the letter F, two counting creatures show up unexpectedly and slip in interesting facts and numbers. This is a humorously written collection of unusual creatures that will captivate young children and help them learn the alphabet. After hearing it read, children could create their own alphabet book made up of imaginary creatures. For those young children who love math, you might ask the children to find and create their own number facts for the letter characters. The book could also be used with older students to teach creativity and rhyming. Recommended. Janie E. Stokes, Teacher, Mt. View Elementary School, Marietta, Georgia
Publishers Weekly (August 21, 2006)
DiTerlizzi (The Spider and the Fly) cleverly concocts new words for each letter of the alphabet in his romp of a read, sure to titillate readers' senses with its silly sounds. His alter ego Tiny DiTerlooney is along for the ride, likening this lesson to a visit to the theatre more than a day at school ("So say good-bye to boring books/ where `bears can bounce a ball,'/ and turn the page;/ I've set the stage,/ and nothing makes sense at all"). The narrative sends up dated elementary school primers: the text features pristinely printed upper and lowercase letters at the top of each page and the featured creature (e.g., an Angry Ack) in bold type but the spread gives way to off-the-wall illustrations, coupled with inventive vocabulary and wry handprinted commentary ("Acks are generally the color red. The word `red' has nothing to do with the letter A"). "Dinkalicious Dinky" and the two-headed "Neenel-Nonnel" bring to mind Dr. Seuss, as do the whimsical images of the "creachlings" in a design reminiscent of 1950s picture books (DiTerlizzi fans will recognize the pink star of Ted as the "Hungry Hoofle-Foofle"). Things go a bit awry when the Ravenous Rotoid crashes into the line-up after Large Licky Lickins, and by the time readers reach the letter P, they may not even realize the subtly inserted counting games. While this book may not expand readers' skill sets, it could easily ignite a love of learning. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2006)
K-Gr 3-This clever and sophisticated tribute to two icons of nonsensical rhyme, Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, will surprise and amuse. From the "Angry Ack" who eats dirty clothes to the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook," who loves to read dictionaries, these fantastic creatures defy expectations. The Bloobytack, who collects objects on his sticky back, assures, "I know what you're thinking, but that's not a BOOT, it's a SHOE so no B's here." In fact, none of the illustrations seem to have anything to do with their respective letters. Each spread features a letter, a corresponding Seuss-like "creachling" and its rhyme, and a comical cartoon portrait of the author. Several pages into the story, the Teedle-Weenie Woo, potatolike, brightly colored digits, join the fun. They insist on counting, be it "7 stars," "90 laps," or, in the case of the "Uggle-Unk," "3 stripes in his underwear./Thank goodness, none are brown." Amid the laughs, children are ingeniously exposed to colors, numbers, and letters. The pen-and-ink illustrations of the creachlings are colored digitally, each in a different hue, in imitation of picture books of the '40s and '50s. The author and the Woos are painted in gouache with prismacolor-pencil details. The former-skinny and boyish with jeans, yellow T-shirt, sneakers, round glasses, and unruly red hair-imitates and interacts with his creations on every page, clearly having just as much fun as his readers. Handsomely designed, this wacky wonder will wow Woos of all ages.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
A young artist's rhyming alphabet book, populated by silly monsters, is subverted by creatures intent on turning his illustrations into a counting exercise. The unadulterated zaniness of the text and illustrations seems intended to prevent, not promote, alphabet learning, and readers may become exhausted by the frenetic pace. A dedication in rhyme acknowledges the author/illustrator's debt to Seuss and Lear.
Kirkus Reviews starred (August 15, 2006)
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary "creachlings," colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century's middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, "say good-bye to boring books / where 'bears can bounce a ball,' " the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough-"A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes." Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike "Teedle-Weenie Woo" that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a "123" after reaching the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook" takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Library Media Connection (January 2007)
If you love alphabet books, this is one you will definitely want to add to your collection. With his rhyming lyrics, simple artwork, and imaginative creatures, the author delivers a unique alphabet book. On each page, the boy narrator is found in bold colors making crazy facial gestures relating to the letter characters. The letter characters are contrasted in one color scheme, and the author has included little explanatory notes. DiTerlizzi's imaginative illustrations are almost Seuss-like in their zany combinations of characters. Young children will enjoy the silly antics and poses of the characters and the flowing rhyme of the story. Beginning with the letter F, two counting creatures show up unexpectedly and slip in interesting facts and numbers. This is a humorously written collection of unusual creatures that will captivate young children and help them learn the alphabet. After hearing it read, children could create their own alphabet book made up of imaginary creatures. For those young children who love math, you might ask the children to find and create their own number facts for the letter characters. The book could also be used with older students to teach creativity and rhyming. Recommended. Janie E. Stokes, Teacher, Mt. View Elementary School, Marietta, Georgia
Publishers Weekly (August 21, 2006)
DiTerlizzi (The Spider and the Fly) cleverly concocts new words for each letter of the alphabet in his romp of a read, sure to titillate readers' senses with its silly sounds. His alter ego Tiny DiTerlooney is along for the ride, likening this lesson to a visit to the theatre more than a day at school ("So say good-bye to boring books/ where `bears can bounce a ball,'/ and turn the page;/ I've set the stage,/ and nothing makes sense at all"). The narrative sends up dated elementary school primers: the text features pristinely printed upper and lowercase letters at the top of each page and the featured creature (e.g., an Angry Ack) in bold type but the spread gives way to off-the-wall illustrations, coupled with inventive vocabulary and wry handprinted commentary ("Acks are generally the color red. The word `red' has nothing to do with the letter A"). "Dinkalicious Dinky" and the two-headed "Neenel-Nonnel" bring to mind Dr. Seuss, as do the whimsical images of the "creachlings" in a design reminiscent of 1950s picture books (DiTerlizzi fans will recognize the pink star of Ted as the "Hungry Hoofle-Foofle"). Things go a bit awry when the Ravenous Rotoid crashes into the line-up after Large Licky Lickins, and by the time readers reach the letter P, they may not even realize the subtly inserted counting games. While this book may not expand readers' skill sets, it could easily ignite a love of learning. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2006)
K-Gr 3-This clever and sophisticated tribute to two icons of nonsensical rhyme, Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, will surprise and amuse. From the "Angry Ack" who eats dirty clothes to the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook," who loves to read dictionaries, these fantastic creatures defy expectations. The Bloobytack, who collects objects on his sticky back, assures, "I know what you're thinking, but that's not a BOOT, it's a SHOE so no B's here." In fact, none of the illustrations seem to have anything to do with their respective letters. Each spread features a letter, a corresponding Seuss-like "creachling" and its rhyme, and a comical cartoon portrait of the author. Several pages into the story, the Teedle-Weenie Woo, potatolike, brightly colored digits, join the fun. They insist on counting, be it "7 stars," "90 laps," or, in the case of the "Uggle-Unk," "3 stripes in his underwear./Thank goodness, none are brown." Amid the laughs, children are ingeniously exposed to colors, numbers, and letters. The pen-and-ink illustrations of the creachlings are colored digitally, each in a different hue, in imitation of picture books of the '40s and '50s. The author and the Woos are painted in gouache with prismacolor-pencil details. The former-skinny and boyish with jeans, yellow T-shirt, sneakers, round glasses, and unruly red hair-imitates and interacts with his creations on every page, clearly having just as much fun as his readers. Handsomely designed, this wacky wonder will wow Woos of all ages.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2022
This is an interesting and different A to Z book for kids. It includes numbers, and some mixed-up ideas, for fun! Not your typical book!
Read
May 31, 2016Title: G is for One Gzonk!
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Genre: Alphabet book
Themes: Alphabet, Numbers
Opening line/ sentence:
Hello! And welcome to my book!
Brief Book Summary:
Crazy creatures are made up for each letter of the alphabet. Eventually the numbers feel left out and come in and try to turn the book from an alphabet book into a counting book.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #1:
Publishers Weekly
DiTerlizzi (The Spider and the Fly ) cleverly concocts new words for each letter of the alphabet in his romp of a read, sure to titillate readers' senses with its silly sounds. His alter ego Tiny DiTerlooney is along for the ride, likening this lesson to a visit to the theatre more than a day at school ("So say good-bye to boring books/ where 'bears can bounce a ball,'/ and turn the page;/ I've set the stage,/ and nothing makes sense at all"). The narrative sends up dated elementary school primers: the text features pristinely printed upper and lowercase letters at the top of each page and the featured creature (e.g., an Angry Ack ) in bold type—but the spread gives way to off-the-wall illustrations, coupled with inventive vocabulary and wry handprinted commentary ("Acks are generally the color red. The word 'red' has nothing to do with the letter A"). "Dinkalicious Dinky" and the two-headed "Neenel-Nonnel" bring to mind Dr. Seuss, as do the whimsical images of the "creachlings" in a design reminiscent of 1950s picture books (DiTerlizzi fans will recognize the pink star of Ted as the "Hungry Hoofle-Foofle"). Things go a bit awry when the Ravenous Rotoid crashes into the line-up after Large Licky Lickins, and by the time readers reach the letter P , they may not even realize the subtly inserted counting games. While this book may not expand readers' skill sets, it could easily ignite a love of learning. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)
Professional Recommendation/ Review #2:
Kirkus Review
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary “creachlings,” colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century’s middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, “say good-bye to boring books / where ‘bears can bounce a ball,’ ” the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough—“A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes.” Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike “Teedle-Weenie Woo” that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a “123” after reaching the “Zanderiffic Zibble Zook” takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Responce to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews talk about how this book strays away from traditional alphabet books and goes its own way with the crazy words and pictures used. Both reviews quote the same line from the book about how it is not going to be a normal, boring alphabet book. The first review mentions that it might not be the best book for actually learning the alphabet skill set, but because it is so fun it will likely get all children excited about learning.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was designed to make children laugh while they were reading it. The tongue twister rhymes make it a fun read for everyone. The pictures are done in subdued hues, so when the numbers in their bright colors they really stand out. There are two different stories going on, working on simple counting and the alphabet.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book uses crazy creatures to help to teach the letters of the alphabet, so after reading the book each student can be assigned a letter of the alphabet and have to come up to with their own crazy creature for that letter. Student's can also come up with a rhyme to go with their creature because the whole book is done as a rhyming poem.
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Genre: Alphabet book
Themes: Alphabet, Numbers
Opening line/ sentence:
Hello! And welcome to my book!
Brief Book Summary:
Crazy creatures are made up for each letter of the alphabet. Eventually the numbers feel left out and come in and try to turn the book from an alphabet book into a counting book.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #1:
Publishers Weekly
DiTerlizzi (The Spider and the Fly ) cleverly concocts new words for each letter of the alphabet in his romp of a read, sure to titillate readers' senses with its silly sounds. His alter ego Tiny DiTerlooney is along for the ride, likening this lesson to a visit to the theatre more than a day at school ("So say good-bye to boring books/ where 'bears can bounce a ball,'/ and turn the page;/ I've set the stage,/ and nothing makes sense at all"). The narrative sends up dated elementary school primers: the text features pristinely printed upper and lowercase letters at the top of each page and the featured creature (e.g., an Angry Ack ) in bold type—but the spread gives way to off-the-wall illustrations, coupled with inventive vocabulary and wry handprinted commentary ("Acks are generally the color red. The word 'red' has nothing to do with the letter A"). "Dinkalicious Dinky" and the two-headed "Neenel-Nonnel" bring to mind Dr. Seuss, as do the whimsical images of the "creachlings" in a design reminiscent of 1950s picture books (DiTerlizzi fans will recognize the pink star of Ted as the "Hungry Hoofle-Foofle"). Things go a bit awry when the Ravenous Rotoid crashes into the line-up after Large Licky Lickins, and by the time readers reach the letter P , they may not even realize the subtly inserted counting games. While this book may not expand readers' skill sets, it could easily ignite a love of learning. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)
Professional Recommendation/ Review #2:
Kirkus Review
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary “creachlings,” colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century’s middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, “say good-bye to boring books / where ‘bears can bounce a ball,’ ” the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough—“A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes.” Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike “Teedle-Weenie Woo” that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a “123” after reaching the “Zanderiffic Zibble Zook” takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Responce to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews talk about how this book strays away from traditional alphabet books and goes its own way with the crazy words and pictures used. Both reviews quote the same line from the book about how it is not going to be a normal, boring alphabet book. The first review mentions that it might not be the best book for actually learning the alphabet skill set, but because it is so fun it will likely get all children excited about learning.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was designed to make children laugh while they were reading it. The tongue twister rhymes make it a fun read for everyone. The pictures are done in subdued hues, so when the numbers in their bright colors they really stand out. There are two different stories going on, working on simple counting and the alphabet.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book uses crazy creatures to help to teach the letters of the alphabet, so after reading the book each student can be assigned a letter of the alphabet and have to come up to with their own crazy creature for that letter. Student's can also come up with a rhyme to go with their creature because the whole book is done as a rhyming poem.
Read
February 9, 2017Title: G is for One Gzonk! An alpha-number-bet book
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Genre: Alphabet book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Funny, Counting
Opening line/sentence:
Hello! And welcome to my book!
Brief Book Summary:
A young boy creates a “not so ABC” book, depicting “creachlings” each starting with a letter in the alphabet. He makes a point of not having everything on the page start with the letter of the creature. Half way through the book, floating counting heads come and interrupt the ABC’s by adding counting. The boy finds a way to work with the counting heads, and at the end decides to create a counting book as well.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Jennie DeGenaro (Children’s Literature)
Each letter is illustrated by an imaginary animal thought up by DiTerlizzi. He suggests counting the letters and explains there are nineteen consonants and seven vowels. Children will not learn the alphabet by having this book read to them. They will, however, develop an appreciation of the English language, humor, and the thought that words and animals can be a product of one s mind. For example, the author illustrates the letter E with an Evil Eeog, accompanied by a rhyming page of four lines describing the creature. Children will enjoy this humorous book and be amused by the funny illustrations. 2006, Ruckus Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 4 to 7.
(PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Professional Recommendation Review #2:
Kirkus Reviews
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary "creachlings," colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century's middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, "say good-bye to boring books / where 'bears can bounce a ball,' " the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough--"A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes." Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike "Teedle-Weenie Woo" that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a "123" after reaching the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook" takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews talk about the book’s silly made-up words that create a fun reading experience for children. The first review makes a point to say that children will not learn the alphabet while reading this book, which is something I disagree with. I think the insistence of not having everything on the page correspond with that letter, and talking about that constantly actually solidifies the alphabet in the child’s mind. Both reviews note how much fun readers will have reading this out loud because of the tongue twisting crazy words.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is funny and whimsical. It really lends to being a book a child would read with other children or with adults. The book is hand drawn to the give the illusion that the boy in the story has drawn all of the creatures that he is describing. When other characters speak, their text is in a different font and color, indicating that it isn’t the narrator talking. The plot gets a little more elaborate as the book introduces the number characters, but too muddled that children would not understand.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could be used as a prompt to help kids write and illustrate their own alphabet books. They kids can create their own creatures, which would allow them to be creative while practicing the alphabet. The kids could also be assigned a single letter of the alphabet for them to create a page. Once they’re done all of the pages can be put together and create a class alphabet book.
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Genre: Alphabet book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Funny, Counting
Opening line/sentence:
Hello! And welcome to my book!
Brief Book Summary:
A young boy creates a “not so ABC” book, depicting “creachlings” each starting with a letter in the alphabet. He makes a point of not having everything on the page start with the letter of the creature. Half way through the book, floating counting heads come and interrupt the ABC’s by adding counting. The boy finds a way to work with the counting heads, and at the end decides to create a counting book as well.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Jennie DeGenaro (Children’s Literature)
Each letter is illustrated by an imaginary animal thought up by DiTerlizzi. He suggests counting the letters and explains there are nineteen consonants and seven vowels. Children will not learn the alphabet by having this book read to them. They will, however, develop an appreciation of the English language, humor, and the thought that words and animals can be a product of one s mind. For example, the author illustrates the letter E with an Evil Eeog, accompanied by a rhyming page of four lines describing the creature. Children will enjoy this humorous book and be amused by the funny illustrations. 2006, Ruckus Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 4 to 7.
(PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Professional Recommendation Review #2:
Kirkus Reviews
In memorable homage to his dedicatees Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, DiTerlizzi introduces an unruly alphabet of imaginary "creachlings," colored in flat hues to evoke the printing processes of the previous century's middle decades and described in sprightly verse. Bidding readers, "say good-bye to boring books / where 'bears can bounce a ball,' " the author, who portrays himself in the pictures as an owlish lad wielding a paintbrush, starts out conventionally enough--"A is for an Angry Ack. / He eats your dirty clothes. / His favorite snack is stinky socks / with jam packed in the toes." Soon, however, he finds himself struggling with entries that wander in out of order, thanks to a multiplying coterie of floating, beanlike "Teedle-Weenie Woo" that, being numbers rather than letters, make a bid to hijack the whole project. Ultimately, he comes to an accommodation with the interlopers, but his effort to kick off a "123" after reaching the "Zanderiffic Zibble Zook" takes an ominous turn when Ack and company pop back into view. Fans of If I Ran the Zoo (1950), or silly alphabets in general, will delight in tracking the burgeoning chaos while trying to wrap their tongues around the droll monikers of this manic menagerie. (Picture book. 6-8)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews talk about the book’s silly made-up words that create a fun reading experience for children. The first review makes a point to say that children will not learn the alphabet while reading this book, which is something I disagree with. I think the insistence of not having everything on the page correspond with that letter, and talking about that constantly actually solidifies the alphabet in the child’s mind. Both reviews note how much fun readers will have reading this out loud because of the tongue twisting crazy words.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is funny and whimsical. It really lends to being a book a child would read with other children or with adults. The book is hand drawn to the give the illusion that the boy in the story has drawn all of the creatures that he is describing. When other characters speak, their text is in a different font and color, indicating that it isn’t the narrator talking. The plot gets a little more elaborate as the book introduces the number characters, but too muddled that children would not understand.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could be used as a prompt to help kids write and illustrate their own alphabet books. They kids can create their own creatures, which would allow them to be creative while practicing the alphabet. The kids could also be assigned a single letter of the alphabet for them to create a page. Once they’re done all of the pages can be put together and create a class alphabet book.
October 5, 2013
The author's mission in "G is for one Gzonk!" is to present the reader with a rhyming alphabet book that knocks the socks off the traditional ones. He writes, "Say goodbye to boring books where 'bears can bounce a ball,' and turn a page, I've set the stage, and nothing makes sense at all."
A curriculum connection would be to use this in a beginning reader’s classroom and would be such a fun book to read aloud to students.
The author delights in using words we've never heard to represent each letter. For example, "B" is for snooping Bloobytack and "Z" will always be the equally original and fanciful Zanderiffic Zibble Zook.
No doubt families who read this will soon be calling each other by the names of these creative creatures. I have already called my daughter a "Cootie-Noodle" and my son a "Hungry Hoofle- Foofle."
The author, Tony DiTerlizzi, is an amazing illustrator who uses pencil and watercolor to create imaginative characters that will engage young readers.
The intended audience for this book is kindergarten to first graders.
A curriculum connection would be to use this in a beginning reader’s classroom and would be such a fun book to read aloud to students.
The author delights in using words we've never heard to represent each letter. For example, "B" is for snooping Bloobytack and "Z" will always be the equally original and fanciful Zanderiffic Zibble Zook.
No doubt families who read this will soon be calling each other by the names of these creative creatures. I have already called my daughter a "Cootie-Noodle" and my son a "Hungry Hoofle- Foofle."
The author, Tony DiTerlizzi, is an amazing illustrator who uses pencil and watercolor to create imaginative characters that will engage young readers.
The intended audience for this book is kindergarten to first graders.
January 29, 2016
While I really liked this alphabet-numbers book, it was a bit difficult to read aloud. There's lots of side comments not related to the main text, so that made it a bit hard to follow what was going on in a linear fashion. But anyway, the narrator of this book wants to make a new kind of alphabet book that doesn't just rely on using the same letter of the alphabet for all the action of the creatures. Numbers muscle their way in about half way through.
Excellent, imaginative illustrations!
Excellent, imaginative illustrations!
August 8, 2009
My son certainly doesn't need an alphabet book, but as you know- even when they are past something developmentally- they can get joy from visiting it. Anyway, he checked this out from the library and LOVES it. It's very silly and creative and fun. He quotes lines from it all day. I guess the author also has something to do with the spiderwick chronicles- but we haven't read or watched any of that yet.
October 27, 2016
This book was silly and creative and wonderfully illustrated. My 4 year olds laughed out loud at many pages and got many of the jokes. As they are just getting to know the alphabet, this book is probably better suited to a kindergarten/first grade audience, maybe even older. I could see this as a gift as the illustrations are so detailed; kids could look at them over and over and still find new things. A good find.
November 17, 2009
I liked that Tiny Diterloony mixed together numbers and letters. It was also interesting how he kind of did a play because he wrote the color of the Woo for the letters they were saying, and also that instead of X for one X, they crossed the X out and said 10. That's why I liked this book.
September 23, 2013
Obviously inspired by Dr. Seuss, this alphabet book is only alphabetical in the names of the crazy creatures the narrator introduces. Everything else on the page is purposely not related to the designated letter. A fun book to read with its rhyming text and creative illustrations.
April 20, 2015
Funny, fun, colorful, and clever, but I'm not going to give 5 stars to an alphabet book that makes up a brand new creature for 26 letters plus 1 number and only two of the creations are female! Sexist much?
July 1, 2016
This is super silly book I am Magent many boys might like. I don't really care for it...though some may. It just didn't do much for me. I prefer Seuss who is silly and rhymes and normally has some type of purpose or Moral.
October 3, 2017
This is an alphabet book that isn't entirely about the alphabet. You won't find a purple penguin on the P page. And the numbers have decided to invade the book. Very fun. And fantastic illustrations.
November 19, 2007
Very funny; it is written in the spirit of a Dr. Seuss book, but with even more elaborate illustrations, would be a great read aloud for a second or third grade class JD
Want to read
June 9, 2008An homage of sorts to Dr Seuss. I like the rather retro looking illustrations. Hopefully this will be another fun one for DS.
June 20, 2008
A great twist on a typical alphabet book. The humor is great for kids and adults. Creative illustrations and still one of E's favorites, even though he's an expert in the alphabet now.
August 12, 2008
I'm reading this to Allie. It's such a silly and imaginative way to learn the alphabet. More for fun than for actual learning. The illustration is awesome as well!
June 25, 2017
Quite an imaginative alphabet, counting, rhyming book!
July 2, 2018
Imaginative, Inventive, Funny and Clever. Not your basic ABC book.
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