Alphablock (An Abrams Block Book) - Hardcover

Franceschelli, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1419709364 ISBN 13: 9781419709364

Publisher: Abrams Appleseed, 2013

Synopsis

With thick pages cut into the shape of each letter, children and parents will enjoy this peek-through guessing game around the letterform itself. Sprinkles, hot fudge, and cherries hint at I’s ice cream sundae, while aquarium accessories hint at F’s fish. As readers interact with the pages, they will familiarize themselves not only with the 26 letters and associated words, but also with each letter’s physicality—angles, holes, and curves, both front and back. With Peskimo’s animated, stylish visuals, this fresh ABC book encourages readers to manipulate the alphabet in a whole new way. Note: illustrations have a retro feel, with imperfect variations in color and texture.

Also available: A BOX OF BLOCKS, featuring Alphablock, Countablock, and Dinoblock.

Praise for Alphablock
STARRED REVIEW
"All the parts together make an appealing and fun way for youngsters to interact with the alphabet, and for slightly older children to enjoy the clever artwork."
—School Library Journal, starred review

"The straightforward vocabulary, cheery vintage-style graphics, and neat incorporation of cut-out letters make for a sharply designed package."
—Publishers Weekly

"With a pleasing, retro feel, Peskimo’s art uses bold colors in a slightly muted hue and the weathered look of woodblock prints... A visually captivating delight for careful little ones."
—Kirkus Reviews

"While it’s graphically sophisticated enough to please adults, little children can happily flip through this book on their own."
—The New York Times

"The baby, toddler or nursery-schooler who tears the gift wrapping off Christopher Franceschelli's Alphablock may think that she has just opened a toy, for how lively and tactile the thing in her hands will be."
—The Wall Street Journal

Awards
Parents 10 Best Children’s Books of 2013
Notable Children's Books from ALSC 2014

 

About this title

About the Author

Christopher Franceschelli is a long-time publisher, editor, and creator of children’s books. He lives with his family in Brooklyn. Peskimo is a husband-wife illustration and design team who lives in Bristol, UK. This is their first children’s book.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 1-A high-concept alphabet book with appealing, retro-style illustrations. A pair of spreads is devoted to each letter. The recto is cut into the shape of an uppercase letter. Flip it and a new spread displays an item that starts with the given letter. Around the angles, holes, and curves of the letter readers get a peek of the image on the following page. Tracks and a puff of smoke hint at a train for letter "T," balls and a hand are the clues for "J is for juggler." Readers turn the page for the full image. Objects in the illustrations interact with the letter form in clever ways, such as an octopus's tentacle wrapping over the arc of the "O." Most of the featured items will be familiar to young readers. All the parts together make an appealing and fun way for youngsters to interact with the alphabet, and for slightly older children to enjoy the clever artwork.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AKα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1419709364
• ISBN 13: 9781419709364
• Binding: Board book
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 104
• Illustrator: Peski Studio