From the Publisher
Artist Ida Pearle gives readers a way to play for every letter in the alphabet. A is for act—curtains up! B is for blow—pinwheel ready! And C is for catch—butterflies beware! Ida's cut-paper collages are the perfect mix of vintage and modern, comfort and inspiration. Her images of children—on tiptoe, on a zebra, dancing, and jumping—are full of grace and flow. And her distinctive patterns and striking designs spring from page to page.
Perfect for both children and adults, this extraordinary alphabet book will add a dash of whimsy and style to any bookshelf.
The New York Times -
Becca Zerkin
…a colorful ode to the world of young children. The text—single, whimsical verbs like "act," "kick," "yell"—feels fresh…Pearle must have logged a lot of playground hours observing children. She creates a diverse cast in every skin tone, intricately illustrated in cut-paper collages. No features are drawn into the faces, and the collages are shadowless; the loving details lie in the children's silhouettes, head tilts and gestures
Children's Literature
Enter the day of children starting from A for act, continuing through the alphabet, and ending at Z for zoom in this beautiful picture book. The soft colors and lines of the tie-dye-like print end papers invite the reader to enter the book to see what designs may be in store in this alphabet book. The first six lines of Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "To Any Reader" set the stage for the glimpses in the children's day that are waiting on the pages to follow. The cut-paper collage illustrations capture different children at work, rest and play like catching butterflies or taking a nap. The cut-outs are not only plain colored sheets but they include patterned paper that is used for the clothing of the boys and girls. The effect is like looking at printed fabric that dresses the children in attractive shirts, pants, dresses and accessories. The design on the paper is very effective in adding a point of interest in the pictures. The illustrations are a treat for the eyes; take in the view from the book's window of a child's day. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung
School Library Journal
PreS-K
This simple, attractive alphabet of action words and pictures depicts children engaged in play and other activities. "Act," "blow," "catch," "dance" are just a few of the featured activities; youngsters also "unite," "view," "whistle," and "mark the spot" (X). The letters appear in both upper- and lowercase. The design is particularly effective. Large, colorful cut-paper collages of multiethnic children feature interesting patterns that stand out against solid backgrounds. Tie-dye-like endpapers are inviting as well. A good choice for the very young.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Kirkus Reviews
Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "To Any Reader" acts as the inspiration for this celebration of traditional youthful play in Pearle's debut. Multicultural cut-paper children each highlight a different activity verb associated with childhood games or independent play. The art's focus is on the specified action for each letter, showcased individually on single-page, colored backgrounds. Word choices and illustrations vary from straightforward selections to unusual material: The letter B depicts a child blowing a pinwheel, the letter D demonstrates dance, but the picture of the letter R features two youngsters riding a zebra. An upper-case and lower-case letter are clearly identifiable on the top corner of each page, and the alphabet is featured in its entirety in the entry's conclusion. Due to the small format, this offering is best viewed individually, instead of in large group settings. These collage illustrations attempt to convey the whimsy of childhood innocence in bygone days, but adults are more likely to appreciate this nostalgic work. (Picture book. 3-6)
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