Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five

 by Valorie Fisher

Summary: A picture book designed to help children learn the basic concepts they need to know before starting kindergarten, including numbers, letters, colors, shapes, opposites, and seasons.

It is debatable if this book contains everything a child needs to know before age 5, but I think it is an excellent tool to practice concepts with young children. The amount of information in this book may be a little hard for some children to take in. The unique illustrations contain photographs of retro toys. In addition to learning concepts, children’s interest may be piqued by picking out the many details in the photographs.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

A Bad Kitty Christmas

by Nick Bruel

Summary: After destroying all of the gifts and decorations at home, Bad Kitty escapes from the car on Christmas Eve and finds a new friend, who helps her learn the true meaning of Christmas.

I love this book! The book contains three alphabetical lists, including naughty things kitty did. The rhyming lists are woven beautifully into this heartwarming story. The text is lengthy, and may be most enjoyed when read one-on-one with a child. Like other books in the Bad Kitty series, this holiday story involves humor.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 4

The Hidden Alphabet

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Summary: An alphabet book in which windows open to reveal the letters hidden within each picture

This is a unique alphabet book. Lifting the flaps makes the book exciting for active listeners.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Apple Pie ABC

by Alison Murray

Summary: A story about a girl baking an apple pie and a puppy observing the activities teaches the letters of the alphabet.

This a cute book that approaches teaching letters of the alphabet in way I have not seen before. The text includes large letters, a to z, in order. Underneath the large letter is a word or phrase that begins with that letter (except x, that is the second letter in the word). The words and phrases tell a story starring a dog who looks a lot like Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy, whom I love; but I wish the illustrator was more creative in depicting this character.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

 

Alligator Bear Crab: A Baby's ABC

by Lesley Wynne Pechter

Summary: Illustrations of animals from an alligator to a zebra, including such creatures as a loon, an urchin, and a vole, introduce the letters of the alphabet.

This book is not very creative, but will be enjoyed by young children first handling board books and young children who like animals. 

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

ABCDrive!: A Car Trip Alphabet

by Naomi Howland

Summary: A car trip provides the opportunity to see or experience things for every letter of the alphabet, from "ambulance" to "zoom."

This alphabet book contains detailed illustrations. It is an ideal interactive book for asking children to find specific items on the pages. The text is limited to a label for each picture.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

African Animal Alphabet

by Beverly Joubert

Summary: Pairs wildlife photographs of African animals with corresponding letters of the alphabet. The book includes brief information about each included animal, such as cheetahs, elephants, lions, and zebras.

This is a great book for an older child to read to a younger child. If a person reads all the details, it is quite lengthy. However, an older person and a younger person may alternate reading the more challenging and less challenging text.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 5

ABC Kids

by Basher

Summary: Introduces the letters of the alphabet through illustrations and alliterative text that places characters in silly, humorous situations.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an original ABC book. With so many alphabet books to choose from, this book stands out because of its zany sentences. On each page there is a letter and a sentence. Each word in the sentence begins with the same letter.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet

by Leslie McGuirk

Summary: This book displays photographs of rocks that resemble the letters of the alphabet and objects represented by each letter.

This is a very unique book. The author devoted a page at the end of the book to describing how she found each rock photographed in the book. I recommend reading this book to children who are close to mastering the alphabet. An appropriate question to ask is, “What letter does this look like?” The photographs may be confusing to children who have recently begun to learn the alphabet.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words : From Accessories to Zany

Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words :
From Accessories to Zany
by Jane O'Connor

Summary: Fancy Nancy provides one or more of her favorite fancy words for each letter of the alphabet, defines them, and uses some in sentences that show what they mean to her, such as that she yearns--wants really badly--to visit Paris someday.

The ever-so popular easy reader and picture book character Fancy Nancy stars in an alphabet book! For the child who is not satisfied with “c is for car” try these hard words! Though we all have to start with the basics, try this book to spice things up and maybe even increase your child’s interest in print!

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types

Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types

by Sharon Werner

Summary: An illustrated alphabet book for early readers that composes images of animals using only the first letter of its name.

This is an unusual alphabet book. Each page has a letter shown in different ways. This book may be a tool for teaching students who are confused by, or have trouble reading, different fonts.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter, Z!

The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter, Z!

by Steve Martin

Summary: Presents a rhyming couplet featuring each letter of the alphabet, with such characters as David the dog-faced boy, who dons a derby despite being dirty, and Victor, whose frequent victories have made him vainglorious.

This is a different approach to alphabet books. This book is by the actor Steve Martin and his comedy shines through!

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends ABC3D

ABC3D

by Marion Bataille

Summary: Each letter of the alphabet is introduced in the style of three-dimensional pop-up designs.

This book is really cool if kept in excellent condition. Every page turned shows a letter. There are no words.
Warning: This book may be confusing to young children or frustrating for a child with dyslexia.

Librarianjk recommends A is for Abigail-An Almanac of Amazing American Women

A is for Abigail-An Almanac of
Amazing American Women
by Lynne Cheney

Summary: An ABC book that has a woman or a type of woman for each letter (for example, A for Abigail and P for performers) and many historical notes.

This is a very informative, well-illustrated, fun book. It would be great for Women’s History Month or other celebrations of women. However, I think the book would be a bit overwhelming for teaching the ABCs or reading aloud to a class.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 6