Animalia

Animalia         By Grame Base Puffin Books         1986

I must confess; I love alphabet books. There are many great examples of this format, and it seems that I run into notable specimens on a regular basis. However, the ones that resonate the most with me are those that feature some sort of added value – a hook that introduces a multilayered complexity can engage older readers as well.

This is simply my most favorite alphabet book of all time. The concept is simple, but the execution is incredibly complex.

Each letter of the alphabet gets a panel that features an alliterative phrase. An example of such would be “Ingenious iguanas improvising an intricate impromptu on impossibly impractical instruments”

An imaginative illustration accompanies each phrase, and contained within each are dozens of objects that begin with the featured letter. Some are exceedingly easy to identify, while others take a bit more sophistication to make the connection.  Very often, you find yourself searching your vocabulary to find alternative names for objects in order to connect them with the letter in question.

Additionally, there are many layers of nuance. Some are just plain obscure. For example, the illustration for “K” contains a British WW1 recruitment poster. Only if you were familiar with British History of that period would you get the connection. The face on the poster was that of Lord Kitchner.

Although matters can get rather sophisticated, there is a tremendous wealth of easily identifiable objects that kindergarteners will have no trouble in connecting to the letters.

This book is extraordinarily well thought out. The author spent three years working on the 26 illustrations, and on refining the wit and whimsy of the content.

This book unfolds like a game, and it works best if you project the illustrations on a large screen so that people can participate as a group.

I am also excited about the prospect of using this book as a vocabulary development tool.