A B C I Like Me!

Nancy Carlson's cheerful pig is back in this vibrant ABC companion book to the best-selling I Like Me!--and she's brought along a few friends to join her. The letters of the alphabet are illustrated with brightly-colored, action-packed pictures and are accompanied by read-along text. Introduce children to the alphabet and reinforce positive self-esteem with the lovable characters of ABC I Like Me!.

PreSchool-K. This concept book vibrates with bright colors, happy thoughts, and joie de vivre. Beginning with "I am Awesome, Brave, and Cheerful," it goes on to present 20 other ways to feel good about oneself, concluding with "Yawn...I need a good night's sleep so tomorrow...I can Zoom on!" Carlson's cheerful pig, frog, and their friends will delight youngsters as they are reassured about their own emerging personalities. All are shown in large, uncluttered illustrations as they engage in a variety of activities, from a mouse and a pig blasting off in a rocket for "I have big Dreams," to a rabbit banging on a pot for "And sometimes, I'm Noisy!" A storytime natural.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The self-reliant pig, star of I Like Me! (1988), is back in a cheery companion book that celebrates the self. ``I am Awesome,'' proclaims the star-shirted pig to introduce the letter A. Mice in Swiss-cheese boxer shorts and juggling frogs join her in a romp through the alphabet. Pig and company help a sick Friend, act with great Imagination, Kindly feed the birds, and sometimes make Mistakes, but are always Polite and good at Sharing. Carlson's bright yellows, greens, and magentas express the joy of a child trying out a brand-new set of felt markers, and bouncy animal characters fairly vault off the pages in the sheer delight of self-expression. (Picture book. 2-5) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 4^-6. The self-confident little pig of I Like Me (1994) returns with a group of friends. They take a spirited journey through the alphabet during which they proclaim that they are awesome, brave, and cheerful, and later that they are good at sharing and that they eat all their vegetables. The alphabet connection is a little strained, but kids will enjoy this more for the exuberant pictures. Along with the vivacious pig, a mouse, a frog, and other animal friends raise their self-esteem and send positive messages. Carlson has a talent for producing art that looks deceptively simple, and that is especially true here. Actually, each page is meticulously designed, brightly colored, and executed to achieve a sense of motion and motivation. It's hard to be down around a book this up. Ilene Cooper