The ABCs of Alphabet Books
The alphabet is a building block to early reading and literacy. Learning the alphabet starts before your child can even say the ABCs. ABC books will introduce kids to letters as part of having a story read or told to them. The more they hear the sounds of words and sees the forms of the letters, the more they will learn to notice the differences in sounds and recognize the letters to even later write them. Around Kindergarten, children learn the relationship between letters and sounds but this is a difficult concept for early readers especially because in English many letters make more than one sound. One easy way to approach the alphabet as well as the sounds it makes is by reading alphabet books.
Alphabet books provide an easily accessible way to more fully comprehend the alphabet, as they often include pictures of words beginning with the letter name or sound.
Here are some of our favorite ABC books:
Written and Illustrated by Innosanto Nagara
Perfect alphabet book for even the youngest activists. This is a beautifully illustrated book with important messaging for all of us. A black cat takes us through the beautiful rhymes from page to page. This is a great book for older readers to talk about what each of these words mean and the importance of them in our modern world. This is a great alphabet book for preschoolers and babies alike. The lively colors and vivid illustrations are captivating.
Written by Christopher Franceschelli, Illustrated by Peskimo
A peek-through guessing game on thick-cut paper each letterform allows even the youngest readers to really feel and play with the alphabet. Each letter is accompanied by associated words. This book is especially great for kids in a tactile stage or seek and find stage.
Written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
By the same team that brought you Barn Dance! comes Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. A modern classic about the alphabet families - capital and lowercase letters - gathering in a coconut tree. The rhyme and rhythm of this book is a must have for every child’s library.
by Dr. Seuss
Everyone loves Dr. Seuss and his colorful imaginative creatures. From Aunt Annie’s alligator to the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz and every Fiffer-feffer-feff in between the alphabet comes to life in the wackiest ways.
Written and Illustrated by Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton has a devoted following for a reason, she has the zaniest animals and ideas. This board book is for a wide range alphabet lovers with animals performing actions for each letter. Even the gophers are grinning over this one.
