REVIEW OF “TALK TO ME ABOUT THE ALPHABET”

REVIEW OF “TALK TO ME ABOUT THE ALPHABET”

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Raschka, Chris. 2003. Talk to Me About the Alphabet. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805067825

PLOT SUMMARY
Talk to Me About the Alphabet is a humorous picture book that teaches the alphabet using unusual words, sound, and illustrations. A funky-looking man and his yellow cat journey through an assortment of adventures on a set of cool wheels. The main character gyrates and calls out each letter of the alphabet like a lively cheerleader while his flexible cat performs acrobatic actions in the background.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Chris Raschka’s illustrations and vocabulary are used to teach the alphabet in a story form. Kids as well as adults will find his use of unusual words to demonstrate the alphabet suspenseful and exciting. It makes the reader eager to find out what the author will do with the next letter. The use of unheard words such as “velocipede” makes the book more fascinating than a traditional ABC book.

The illustrations of the main character’s huge face and large nose, and cute protruding ears make him look quaint. The rich palette colors such as greens, peaches, yellows, blues, and violets surrounding the text make the pages pleasing to the eye. For example the different shades of violets set a tranquil scene for the word sleep. Various font styles and sizes are used to separate the alphabets from the words. The illustrations in the book complement the letters.

The plot is action packed and creative. The author creates a mood of entertainment by using the cheerleading action words like “Give me T for Time”. The only weak aspect is the use of words, Yo, Zippy, and ZZZZZZZZ. They assist in the expression of the alphabet but are not particularly meaningful.

This ABC and concept book can be used to teach the pronunciation of alphabet to young children. Older children who are speakers of other languages can also benefit from reading this book.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
Review in Booklist (May 1, 2003): PreS-Gr. 1. Raschka, never conventional, offers an alphabet book that catches the attention. A round guy in a big coat and a small hat, with his yellow cat and his velocipede (an old word for a bicycle), takes the stage and begins a rap, "Don't give me numbers. / Don't give me 1, 2, 3. / Give me letters! / Give me A B C!".
Review from School Library Journal: Grade 1-3-This is an alphabet book with attitude. The main character, an oddly shaped man with an inordinately large head, delivers the goods with a clip and rhythm reminiscent of Yo Yes! (Orchard, 1993). He travels through the book on a velocipede with a cat in his front basket. After asking, "How are you?" he implores, "Talk to me about the alphabet." And admonishes, "Don't give me numbers. Don't give me 1, 2, 3." With a cheerleading tone, "Give me letters! Give me ABC!"

Review from Publishers Weekly (February 2, 2003): Raschka serves up this sassy ("A is for Attitude") abecedary with characteristic verve, but ultimately the whole is not equal to the sum of its rather haphazard parts.

CONNECTIONS
This book can be used as a read aloud to teach the alphabet to young children.
Other books that teach the alphabet in exceptional ways are:
Alphabet Explosion!: Search and Count from Alien to Zebra (ISBN: 0375835989) by John Nickel
Alphabet Mystery (ISBN: 0439443377) by Audrey and Bruce Wood.
Alphabet City (ISBN: 0670856312) by Stephen T. Johnson
Other books by Chris Raschka include:
Caldecott medal winner The Hello Goodbye Window (ISBN: 0786809140)
Simple Gifts (ISBN: 0310263506)
Like Likes Like (ISBN: 0789481898)