Tomorrow's Alphabet

Shannon, George

ISBN 10: 0688135056 ISBN 13: 9780688135058

Publisher: Greenwillow

Synopsis

Fun-filled full-color illustrations give the classic alphabet a twist and challenge the minds of young readers by having them explore the more functional and advanced purpose of letters as they are presented in a game-style format of words and phrases.

About this title

About the Author

George Shannon is a popular storyteller and former children's librarian whose many notable picture books include Tomorrow's Alphabet, Lizard's Guest, and White Is for Blueberry. Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. George Shannon lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-3. For children already familiar with the sounds of the alphabet, this is a witty concept book about process and creation. You start off being puzzled, irritated: "A is for seed" --what's going on here? Then the opposite page explains, "tomorrow's APPLE." On the left-hand page, a spreading hand holds a tiny seed; on the opposite page, a hand holds a rosy apple. As kids begin to get the idea, they'll love the surprise and want to make up their own examples. Most of the sequences are physical--"P is for clay, tomorrow's POT" --but a few make the leap into abstraction: "U is for strangers, tomorrow's US." The fine design connects each letter with the word it will stand for in block letters in the same color. Crews' clear, fluid illustrations are among the best he's done: the watercolors have a vitality that is the essence of the book. The last page ("Z is for countdown, tomorrow's ZERO) shows a rocket taking off into space: confusing, yes, but once the concept is grasped, it makes a perfect climax to all the controlled energy of the pages. Hazel Rochman

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwillow
• ISBN 10: 0688135056
• ISBN 13: 9780688135058
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Illustrator: Crews Donald