Beginning With Xs and Os: The Evolution of the Alphabet - Hardcover

Zasloff, Etta

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0999086405 ISBN 13: 9780999086407

Publisher: Stillwater River Publications, 2017

Synopsis

Beginning With Xs and Os is an alphabet book for all ages. Rhyming verse tells the whimsical tale of the development of the alphabet, one letter at a time. The Os are the first to experience life-altering events that change their shapes and The Rounds are born. Then come The First Straights, who evolve from Xs. The saga continues, as some Straights have humps, some have style, and some grow bellies.  Every letter has a story. Humor tempers the tragedies, conditions, and choices that spark the formation of new letters, as they accept themselves and each other.  
Sam White captures the stories in his edgy drawings that breathe life into each letter and reflect the grandeur of the story.

About this title

From the Author:

Reading is a basic skill, but it should also be fun if we want to create lifelong learners. Surprising children with the ridiculous is guaranteed to get their attention, but books have to do more than that.  They also need to have substance, something that prods the imagination, something to talk about beyond recalling the story.  Letters, as people, have intrigued children in previous alphabet stories, but starting with rounds and straights instead of the expected ABC, brings the focus to individual letters and their relationship to others that are similar. The tribes of letters continually show resilience as they experience real life tragedies and comedies that alter their shapes.  Occasional dramas occur when they are determined to change their own shapes.  The witnesses to such events are accepting of the accidental and self-determined changes.  Controversial social issues are implied throughout the stories to provide additional layers of substance for starting conversations that matter to kids, but adults often avoid with them.

From the Back Cover:

"It's like reading a prequel to'The Alphabet Song!'"
                                                   ~Edith Thompson, Special Educator, North Carolina
"Your alphabet book at last and better than ever!A story that parents and children can enjoy together."  ~Nancy Serdich, former WV Reading Specialist and School Board Member, WV
"A wonderfully innovative approach to thealphabet. So silly and fun! Children will be excited to turn each page todiscover how all the letters got started."  
                                              ~Deborah Morton, Author of The Barney Tales series
"I would use this book to teach fourth graders inferencing."  
                                                          ~Sally Levesque, former RI Elementary teacher
"What a unique wonderful concept!  Absolutely loved it from the firstread."   
                                           ~Brigitte Brocato, children's book author/illustrator "The literary intent aside, I am impressed by the subtle and humorous manner I which physical differences and desires are accepted and celebrated by such cute personified characters.  There is learning on so many levels in this best alphabet book ever!" 
                                                          ~Brenda Medina, LICSW, Rhode Island

About this edition

• Publisher: Stillwater River Publications
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0999086405
• ISBN 13: 9780999086407
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 70
• Illustrator: Sam White