P is for Pterodactyl

You know how sometimes you run across a book that just makes you smile?  Well today’s alphabet book is one of them.  Seriously, I really like this book and I don’t have anyone in my life that I need to teach the alphabet too!  🙂   P is for Pterdactyl *The worst alphabet book ever!

From the Cover

Let’s get real – the English language is bizarre. A might be for apple, but it’s also for aisle and aeons. Why does the word “gnat” start with a G but the word “knot” doesn’t start with an N? It doesn’t always make sense, but don’t let these rule-breaking silent letters defeat you!
This whimsical, funky book from Raj Haldar turns the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head, poking fun at the most mischievous words in the English language and demonstrating how to pronounce them. Fun and informative for word nerds of all ages!

What you get:

LOADS of illustrations light up the pages of hardcover book on the alphabet.  This is not your ordinary alphabet book, but rather introduces the reader to bunch of unexpected words where the letter may not even been pronounced!

Not just one word, but many words will the pages of each letter.  Take for instance N gives us not, naughty, nice.  O gives us ouija, oui, Oaxaca, E for ewe, euphoric, eaten, even and eulogy.   It is a fun ride through the vagaries that is the English language. 

At the close of the book we are introduced to how we are to pronounce these odd words, some even surprised me!   Phonemes are just so much fun aren’t they?  (perhaps not).  🙂

My Thoughts

Ms. Beddia does an excellent job of illustrating this fun read.   So many words that you just don’t expect to find in an alphabet book.  This is simply a fun book, not only read but also to enjoy for the illustrations. 

Now.. As I pointed out earlier O is for Ouija.. which you might not want for your kids.  But they do exist in the world and it’s a great way (if you are a believer) to talk about how there are things that God doesn’t like and forbids us from using in the world.  It doesn’t have to be a big deal. 

Most of the words have several words listed with them, the odd one does not.  It does introduce the reader to the different sounds the letters of the alphabet make.  This is how some people suggest we teach the alphabet, not just the long noise a letter makes but for the short and irregular sounds as well. 

P is for Pterodactyl: The worst alphabet book ever.
Raj Haldar & Chris Carpenter
Maria Tina Beddia (illustrator)
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Hardcover, 40 pages, 3-7 years
Picture book, alphabet, learn to read, Vocabulary, Spelling
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.