Apples, Alligators and Also Alphabets

Adиle Ashby, a library consultant, is the former editor of Canadian Materials for Schools and Libraries.

Apples, Alligators, and Also Alphabets is an exuberant new Canadian
alphabet book. Each letter of the alphabet is printed in upper and lower
case, with several illustrative words. Above the text appears a framed
plasticine picture that uses those words, and others, to create a visual
fantasy. For example, “I” is for “impish iguanas, inchworms and
iris.” The illustrator gives us three grinning iguanas that are
ironing an igloo, spilling ink, and eating an icicle, respectively,
while carefully watched by inchworms sitting on the leaves of iris
plants that are growing out of an ivy border. As well as finding the
given words in the pictures, children can search for added extras. The
author and illustrator have done a wonderful job of incorporating
seemingly disparate elements into a fun, energetic, colorful whole.