Monday, March 15, 2010

Creature ABC


Zuckerman, Andrew. 2009. CREATURE ABC. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811869782 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK- 1]

REVIEW
Andrew Zuckerman adapted images from his earlier coffee table book, CREATURE, to make this picture book for children. Similar to his earlier work, Zuckerman uses full-color studio photographs of wild animals against a plain white background. Each letter of the alphabet features two close-up photographs of an animal. Some letters, such as N for nocturnal, do include more than one type of animal. The first double-page spread is labeled with the uppercase and lowercase letter and the second lists the animal’s name. The simple, almost stark, illustrations and text allow readers to focus on each animal and the corresponding letter.

Zuckerman’s amazing photographs are so vivid and clear, readers may try to touch the animals. The close-up images allow viewers to see details they may not have noticed in other photographs. Young audiences will want to spend time investigating each page. While most of the animals are commonly known by children, Zuckerman does include a few exotic selections as well. Readers will probably guess monkey for letter M, instead of the more unusual mandrill. This is a visually appealing book that offers young children an interesting assortment of alphabet animals.

CONNECTIONS
This alphabet book would make a great interactive read-aloud in a classroom or library setting. After reading, children could create their own alphabet books either from photographs or by using their own illustrations.

RELATED BOOKS
Other animal alphabet books for children:
Cronin, Doreen and Betsy Lewin. CLICK, CLACK, QUACKITY-QUACK: AN ALPHABETICAL ADVENTURE. ISBN 9780689877155
Fleming, Denise. ALPHABET UNDER CONSTRUCTION. ISBN 9780805081121 Marino, Gianna. ZOOPA: AN ANIMAL ALPHABET. ISBN 9780811847896

By Kimberly C. Kinnaird

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