Alphamagnets: A Terrific Trip to a Zany Zoo

Lorraine Douglas is the youth services co-ordinator at the Winnipeg
Public Library.

In this “learn ’n’ play magnetic adventure book” for children
who are learning the alphabet, readers are invited to help Ally and Zack
find their alphamagnets (plastic letters attached to magnets) at the
zoo.

In the middle of the book is a large diecut space that contains the
alphamagnets. Fixed on the back cover is a metal tray. The story
features a letter on each page, leading young readers from A to Z.
Children are asked to find the alphamagnet that matches the letter and
to stick it on the metal tray.

Unfortunately, each page of the text is an alliterative bore. For
example, on the “T” page, the text states: “The tiger watched a
tired turtle trudge by. ‘Did that tiger touch our T?’ asked Ally.
‘I truly thought it did.’ Can you find a T? Put it by the S for
me.” In the accompanying picture, there are a number of “T”
objects to be found. Although the Plasticine illustrations are quite
beautiful (and reminiscent of Barbara Reid’s work), the scene is cut
into parts by the diecut.

The design of this product will frustrate children. You can’t place
the letters on the tray as the text seems to command, and the text is
long and tedious. Kids and parents alike would have trouble putting the
alphamagnets back into the diecut space. Not recommended.