Alphabetical Order

A child's history of the alphabet reveals such facts as who wrote the alphabet, how many different alphabets there are, and more, in an informative resource that includes full-color charts and a pictorial history of letter development.

Grade 4-7-Originally published in France, this title describes the development of various modern alphabets in use today (Cyrillic, Japanese, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew), and includes a discussion of the elements that came from ancient systems (Ugaritic, Phoenician, Etruscan). The text also touches on linguistics, Braille, sign language, semaphores, Morse code, calligraphy, typography, and the history of writing. The attractive format includes bright, full-color typography and illustrations on every page. Unfortunately, there is no index or table of contents. While an encyclopedia would provide a clearer, more focused introduction to the world's alphabets, this visually appealing overview might serve as an optional purchase where such assignments are common.
Linda W. Tilden, Cherry Hill Library, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

[T]his is the sort of book that should appeal to any 10- or 12-year-old fascinated with language, writing, word games or codes.

Gr. 4^-7. This French import explains how the alphabet began and traces the history of writing from cuneiform to modern-day languages such as braille. The book has strong pluses and minuses. On the one hand, it is beautifully designed. Enormous care has clearly been taken with the format, from the pages, faintly mottled with letters, to the crisp renderings of various alphabets to the crystalline colors used as backgrounds for each group of letters. But Samoyault, a professor of literature, begins with an almost scholarly introduction, using phrases such as spelling conventions and words such as diacriticals, and goes on to a discussion of world alphabets that is sometimes too broad, sometimes too detailed. The basics of how alphabets developed are here, but report writers will have to dig them out. However, in the hands of a creative teacher, the book may have many applications. Charts that show how certain pictures evolved into letters might be a jumping-off place for students to devise alphabets of their own. A "family tree" of language, which shows how all languages evolved from Sumerian cuneiform, also has potential for activities. A handsome resource that can bolster simpler books on the topic. Ilene Cooper