Learning the alphabet in the city...

Author: Stephen T. Johnson
Title: Alphabet City
Publisher: Penguin Group, 1995

Grade Level: Primary (K-2)

Summary: Stephen T. Johnson uses pictures of objects found in major cities to review the alphabet. Staircases, Cathedrals, traffic lights, and gardens are just some of the objects used to inspire young readers to learn the alphabet.

Strengths: Some of the strengths include the photographs and the creativity associated with the objects chosen to represent the alphabet. This is the first book I have found that has interpreted the alphabet by using real-life objects of items found in a city, which made the book very interesting. The incorporation of these items also allowed for the book to be used for older children, not merely Kindergartners learning their letters.

Concerns: My two concerns with this book were some of the pictures were unclear on what letter they were representing. I think children just learning their letters may struggle to identify the letters in the pictures. My other concern was that many alphabet books emphasize a correlation between the picture and the letter. For example, showing apple, antelope, or airplane for the letter A. However, this book does not follow this technique. Without this direct correlation some students may struggle to truly grasp the letters introduced in this book.

Classroom use: I think this book would be a great alternative to regularly prescribed alphabet books. I think children from 4-7 can truly appreciate the beautiful pictures as well as the creative way Stephenson introduces the letters. I think this book also lends itself to having students create their own alphabet book that stretches their imagination beyond A is for apple and B is for banana.

* This book is also the winner of the Caldecott Honor

( image from Amazon.com)