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Alphabet

B is for Bear

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

B is for Bear: A Natural Alphabet by Hannah Viano is not just another alphabet book. In this book the author and illustrator combines elements from animals, the weather, plants, and humans to create a walk among the alphabet. She writes, “I i ICEBURG, most icebergs only show part of their total size: another 90 percent is hidden underneath the water.” Or “C c CLOUD, a cloud is made of water droplets suspended in air.” In this alphabet book the illustrations are created by cutting away black paper to reveal the shape of the image. The author was inspired by running a little wild through forests and mountains with her son in the Pacific Northwest. My favorite part of this book is when she asks “what is another creature that belongs outdoors? Kids! So kids go outside and explore.” See this book listed in our catalog

Trombone Shorty, Trapped, and Rad American Women

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I wanted to share some of my favorite non-fiction picture books of the year so far with you! Here they are:

In Trombone Shorty Troy Andrews a.k.a. Trombone Shorty, a famous jazz musician, tells the story of his childhood in New Orleans, where music is everywhere. He wanted to make music, so he and his friends formed a band (the “5:00 Band” because that’s when they finished their homework). He played a busted trombone, and everyone called him “Trombone Shorty” because the instrument was twice his size. He was even called up on stage at the New Orleans Jazz Fest when he was just a little tyke, and played a song with Bo Diddley. It’s a sweet story about a person who followed his passion and is living his dream, and I think that’s important for kids to see. See this book listed in our catalog
I love Trapped: A Whale’s Rescue by Robert Burleigh about a humpback whale who gets trapped in a fishing net, and the humans who come to her rescue. I think it does a great job of educating children about whales. I thought the illustrations were really awesome, particularly at showing to scale how big the whale is compared to humans, and the book has interesting back matter. See this book listed in our catalog
Rad American Women A-Zby Kate Schatz is a book about women who have changed American history in different ways, for every letter of the alphabet! They come from different backgrounds, and historical periods. They accomplished different things. They are activists, athletes, and artists. Women like Kate Bornstein, the Grimke Sisters, Patti Smith, and Ursula LeGuin. There’s even a letter for the “women whose names we don’t know” – women who history has forgotten, women in our personal lives (like mothers and teachers), and women who will change the future. It’s an inspirational book for anyone. See this book listed in our catalog

Beautiful Birds

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Submitted by Mr. Eric!

What makes Beautiful Birds, by Jean Roussen, illustrated by Emmanuelle Walker, such a special book is its vibrant illustrations. I know that as a librarian I’m probably supposed to judge books by quality of the story, but to be perfectly honest, with this book it’s all about the pictures. The actual text of the book is special too: it is an alphabet book that cleverly uses names of different species of birds for each letter. But it really is the illustrations that make this book something to behold. The style is a mix of art deco and water colors. Every page of the book looks like an old timey post card that you could receive from a relative that is visiting a far off land. It really is gorgeous! Each bird, from albatross to zosteropidae, is beautifully rendered in vibrant colors, so much so that at times it is almost hard to look away. This is certainly one book where is okay to judge a book by its cover! See this book listed in our catalog

Adventures with Barefoot Critters

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

In Adventures with Barefoot Critters by Teagan White animal critters are on an adventure to explore the alphabet throughout the seasons of the year. There are foxes in the A, attic in January trying on old clothes. Squirrel and Dear are building a B, bridge with branches over a frozen river. In February they C, catch colds and can’t go out to play. D, E and F have critters helping, dancing, keeping Robin’s eggs warm, and feeding ducks in the rain ’til spring. Throughout the year they are H, helpers, G, gardeners, and I, inventors with imagination. They make messes with mud in July and take long naps in the summer breeze. As fall approaches they use quilts to build a fort, and rake leaves as they fall. By winter’s cold, the critters build cozy campfires under the stars. They visit friends from afar, then in December go ice-skating, stay up ’til the New Year, and then fall asleep. See this book listed in our catalog

Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Steampunk is all the rage these days. Steampunk music. Steampunk movies. Steampunk books. Steampunk conventions. It’s inevitable that soon our children should be indoctrinated to the nostalgic science fiction subgenre idealizing the technology of and fashion of the 19th century. Enter Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC by Lisa Falkenstern, which features a fabulous element of machinery for every letter of the alphabet and adorable mice dressed in Victorian garb. These industrial rodents take us from anvil to zeppelin with colorful illustrations sure to inspire great conversations with your little ones. What fun you’ll have discussing periscopes, thermometers, windsocks, and much more! See this book listed in our catalog

Paul Thurlby’s Alphabet

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Submitted by Ms. Allana!

Paul Thurlby’s Alphabet is a concept alphabet book for young pre-school aged children, which has more unusual elements than most alphabet books. Each page contains an image of an object or animal forming the letter and the results are very creative and unique. For example the letter F is for FIERCE and is formed in the shape of a lion roaring. M is for MOUNTAIN, so the letter is drawn as a mountain against a scene of sky, trees, and animals. The reader will no doubt have to be equally as creative while describing the artwork to the child, but this adds fun and variety to the experience. See this book listed in our catalog