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Lizeth Montelongo

READ 3306
October 14, 2014
Chapter 4: Begin with Alphabet books
Begin with Alphabet Books 4-15
Share alphabet books with a group as you would other good literature and plan up activities
when appropriate. Some books are suitable for toddlers and merely require the naming of letter
and single accompanying picture, such as Dick Brunas B is for Bear. Others, such as Graeme
Bases Animalia, will keep even upper elementary children engaged as they try to name all the
things that are hidden in the illustrations. Look for alphabet books, such as the ones listed here,
to draw childrens attention to beginning sounds through alliteration.
Base, G. (1986). Animalia. New York: Harry Abrams.
Bayor, J. (1984). A: My name is Alice. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg. New York: Dial.
Berenstain, S., & Berenstain, J. (1971). The Berenstains B book.New York: Random House.
Cole, J. (1993). Six sick sheep: 101 tongue twisters. New York: Morrow.
Seuss, Dr. (1963). Dr. Seusss ABC. New York: Random House.
Many ABC books can be incorporated into thematic units such as Jerry Pallottas ABC
books featuring insects and animals, or Mary Azarians A Farmers Alphabet. Some alphabet
books present special puzzles, such as Jan Gartens The Alphabet Tale. Children are invited to
predict the upcoming animal by showing just the tip of its tail on the preceding page. Following
is a list of some outstanding ABC books for school-aged children.
Anglund, J.W. (1960) In a pumpkin shell. (Alphabet Mother Goose). San Diego, CA: Harcourt
Brace Jovanich.
Anno, M. (1975). Annos alphabet. New York: Crowell
Azarian, M. (1981). A farmers alphabet. Boston: David Godine.
Baskin, Leonard. (1972). Hosie's alphabet. New York: Viking Press.
Ernst, L. C. (1996). The letters are lost. New York: Scholastic.
Fain, K. (1993). Handsigns: A sign language alphabet. New York: Scholastic.
Falls, C. B. (1923). ABC book. New York: Doubleday.
Gag, W. (1933). The ABC bunny. Hand lettered by Howard Gag. New York: CowardMcCann.
Hague, K. (1984). Alphabears: An ABC book. Illustrated by Michael Hague. New York:
Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
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Horenstein, H. (1999). Arf! Beg! Catch! Dogs from A to Z. New York: Scholastic.
McPhail, D. (1989). David McPhail's animals A to Z. New York: Scholastic.
Musgrove, M. (1976). Ashanti to Zulu: African traditions. Illustrated by Leo and Diane
Dillon. New York: Dial.
Owens, M. B. (1988). A caribou alphabet. Brunswick, ME: Dog Ear Press.
Pallotta, J. (1989). The yucky reptile alphabet book (1991); The dinosaur alphabet book.
illustrated by Ralph Masiello. New York: Bantam Doubleday, Dell. (There are
many more in this series.)
Shannon, G. (1996). Tomorrow's alphabet. Illustrated by Donald Crews. New York:
Green willow.
Thornhill, J. (1988). The wildlife A-B-C: A nature alphabet book. New York: Simon &
Schuster.

Variation: Another way of introducing alphabet books is by having the children make their own
alphabet books with noun-verb formats for example: Ants attack, bees buzz, cats cuddle, and
dogs doze. They can come up with a few examples of their favorite letters put a drawing and just
write their format at the bottom. Its a great way to learn the alphabet by using their own
examples.

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