I want to do this book when I can do a live storytime once more. It has a humor and witticism that just would not translate well on the screen. I want kiddos to have an impact on how the letters can be "related" to each other. They are so comical =) ( )

Genre
Alphabet books
Picture books for children
Stories in rhyme
Tone
Amusing
Writing Style
Attention-grabbing
Wordplay-filled
Illustration
Colorful
Subject
Alphabet
Character
Anthropomorphic

This was an uber fun rhyming picture book that will not only help kiddos out with learning their ABCs in a fun new way, but also goes a long way in reminding us that at heart, where it really counts, we are really all the same. We may look different at first glance, have different interests, likes, dislikes, beliefs, and attractions...but we all share one thing. We all belong to the same race...the HUMAN race. Our differences are something to be celebrated because that celebration lifts up another human being who deserves that recognition, who is worthy of that praise, that moment, that time in the spotlight, but in the end, it really elevates us all. I love how this concept was illustrated so wonderfully throughout the story...as you can see above...with gorgeous full color displays and humor, but it just goes to connect the worded message visually so that it sticks even more.

All in all, a great read for the tykes, but also a great reminder for us all in these times, or any times really.


**copy received for review; opinions are my own ( )

Every alphabet letter is showcased in rhyming text ("An M is an N with a cane for support. / An N is a Z doing push-ups for sport" ... "A W's an E lying down for a break. / An X is a V staring into a lake"), with bright, clever illustrations by Dan Santat. The theme tying the concept together is that while each of us is special and unique, we all resemble our "friends and relations" as well: "In those whom we love, bits of us are reflected, / Which helps to remind us that we're all connected." ( )

Shows in hilarious pictures how one letter is actually masquerading as another, or can be converted into another, and invites the reader to use this information to solve coded messages.
Children will be entranced by the artwork and 4th-8th graders will love working out the codes by themselves. ( )