Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers
This unusual and equally marvelous alphabet book surprises and delights with its 26 short stories, one for each letter of the alphabet. From the very beginning at “A” readers will know they have entered a rather quirky and surreal world. A is for Astronaut, but Edmund is an astronaut whose afraid of heights. Even climbing the ladder to the rocket is a bit much for him. B comes right in afterwards with a tale of a burning bridge where Bob and Bernard cannot get along and so burn the bridge between their houses, but oops, one of them is on the wrong side when he does it. The book continues, one letter after another and one story after another each with funny, intriguing characters and situations that are snapshots of the oddities of this amazing world.
Jeffers has created some of my favorite picture books for children and this new alphabet book completely revolutionizes the sing-song of other alphabet books for children. It’s not exclusively for preschoolers, since elementary-aged children will adore these strange little stories and the quick journeys they take you on. Rather like potato chips, you can’t read just one but find yourself going on and on. Jeffers also ties in previous stories to later ones. You have to be watching, because he does it with subtlety, but it’s a lovely touch. I admit to cheering aloud when the Lumberjack for the Letter L appeared again.
Jeffers’ art has a loose feel that works well here. He also has a quirk to his art that matches the tone of the story very nicely. The line drawings combine with touches of color and watercolor. He also plays at times with the page itself, showing characters turning the page or popping out from behind.
A delight of an alphabet book, Jeffers has revolutionized the genre with his impressive, surprising and funny work. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Reviewed from copy received from Philomel.