35. Edward Lear's A Was Once an Apple Pie, Adapted by Suse MacDonald

Bibliographic Citation:

Lear, Edward and Suse MacDonald. A Was Once an Apple Pie. New York, NY: Orchard Books, 2005. 32 p. ISBN 978-0-545-00547-0.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:

The alphabet is presented from A-Z through rhyme, alliteration, and colorful illustrations.

Personal Reaction:

This concept book focuses on letter knowledge through silly, rhyming text and uses alliteration to promote phonological awareness,

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Alphabet order, rhyme, alliteration

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Large, colorful letters are presented in alphabetical order and are accompanied by illustrations that represent each letter.

Narrative Skills: 
Silly, rhyming text that includes alliteration makes this a fun book for children to help narrate as they become familiar with the book.

Phonological Awareness: 
Alliteration and rhyming support the sounds of each of the letters of the alphabet.

Print Awareness:
Each of the letters of the alphabet are printed in large, colorful print, and accompanied by text that is in simple, black font on each page. This book is very print driven, and supported well by the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
This book, with its silly text encourages children to become involved, and as they learn the letters of the alphabet, this book is one they will enjoy revisiting.

Vocabulary:
Words that support each of the letters are part of the text on each page, and offer children the opportunity to learn new words.

Author/ Illustrator Website
http://www.susemacdonald.com/

8. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault

Bibliographic Citation:

Martin, Jr., Bill and Archambault, John. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Illustrated by Lois Ehlert. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1989. ISBN 0-590-43889-1  

Awards/Selection Lists:
ALA Notable Children's Books, 1989
Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Book, 1990
Horn Book Starred Review, 1990
Booklist Starred Review, 1990
International Reading Association Children's Choices, 1990
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 1991
Parents' Choice Award, 2003 

Format Examined:

Paperback

Annotation:

All the letters of the alphabet race to the top of a coconut tree until the tree bends and the letters fall to the ground. 

Personal Reaction:

This fun, colorful book is full of rhythm and rhyme to teach children letter names. The boldface text draws attention to uppercase letters as the colorful lowercase letters inch their way up the coconut tree-- until they become too heavy, and down the letters fall. This book is a classic that will continue to please children and parents alike for years to come.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Letters, rhythm, rhyme, uppercase letters and lowercase letters

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge:
This book centers around naming letters in alphabetical order. The lowercase letters are represented within the illustrations in color, and the uppercase letters are printed in bold within the text. These factors all work together to help the child recognize the letters on each page, and also provide the opportunity for children to match upper and lowercase letters. 

Narrative Skills:
The rhythm and rhyme of this book allows children to participate in reciting the text as becomes familiar.

Phonological Awareness:
While letters are the focus of this book, the sounds that are made by the letters in the story are not mentioned. 

Print Awareness:
The illustrations include print through the colorful letters of the alphabet. The letters that are named throughout the text are in bold and the words "BOOM! BOOM!" are in all caps to emphasize the print. The characteristics draw attention to the printed text on each page.

Print Motivation: 
The rhythm and rhyme of the text combined with colorful illustrations make this book a fun choice that children enjoy reading over and over. 

Vocabulary:
Rhythm words are introduced along with alliteration ("skit skat skoodle doot" and "flip flop flee"). Directional words such as up and top are included within the text.  


Author/ Illustrator Websites:
Author websites: 
John Archambault: http://www.johnarchambault.com/ 
Bill Martin, Jr.: http://www.billmartinjr.com/

 Illustrator Website:
 Lois Ehlert: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lois-Ehlert/1877089