Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
ABC Books

ABC books are an exciting way for early readers to explore letters and words. But they are not just for the younger grades. Many authors use the alphabet format as a springboard for teaching about science, geography, and even poetry! The following fiction and nonfiction books will stretch students’ imaginations and vocabularies — all in a format that’s as easy as A-B-C!

The Weighty Word Book

If you like stretching your students’ vocabulary, making up stories, or booing at bad puns, read this refreshing book — it’s one of my favorites! The authors have come up with 27 stories representing challenging words — from abasement to zealot — each ending in a word-defining pun. You and your students may roll your eyes, but you won’t forget the words’ meanings.


Tomorrow’s Alphabet

This alphabet book stretches readers’ imaginations as they think ahead to complete the sentences. “A is for seed — tomorrow’s APPLE. B is for eggs — tomorrow’s BIRDS.” The challenge will keep students thinking and the possibilities will keep them talking. For another variation of alphabet puzzles, read A Is for Salad by Mike Lester (Puffin, 2000).