ABC [Hardcover]

William Wegman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 1994

Twenty-six stunning black-and-white photographs that feature the artist's irresistible weimaraner dogs forming the letters of the alphabet are accompanied by color portraits of Fay, Ray, Battina, and their friends illustrating a word beginning with that letter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The wizard of weimaraners outdoes himself in posing his graceful canines to illustrate A through Z. The four members of a weimaraner squad, positioned on a colorless ground and photographed from above, form the shape of each letter. Below, a caption enlivened by alliteration or other wordplay includes a key word spelled out in the weimaraner-made letters (the copyright page drolly identifies this makeshift "typeface" as "60-point Weimaraner"). Full-page color photos face each letter: for instance, the "G" page reads, "Fay is glamorous in her gorgeous gloves and gown"; opposite, weimaraner Fay Ray is seen decked out in a strapless dress. The captions are clever, but the photographs are no less than superb, demonstrating the range of Wegman's wit and technical excellence. The illustration for Q, for example, shows Fay in a crown and an elaborately trimmed robe "standing" upright beside a throne, against a background of deepest ruby. The campy overtones of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella have vanished, ceding the field to unfettered, non-narrative fun. All ages.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2 Up-Wegman's Weimaraners are back, this time in a concept book rather than a fairy tale. Small black-and-white photographs of dogs lying together to approximate the shape of each letter of the alphabet face full-page, full-color photos of one or more dogs posing to illustrate a concept starting with the corresponding letter. As an alphabet book for youngsters, this title is almost useless. There are no clear representations of the letters to develop visual identification. The photographs are unnerving, particularly the shared tongue kiss and the eerie "rooster," a dog entirely encased in a long red sack. Questions about the treatment of the dogs seem almost inevitable from children who own or long for pets. Perhaps the unusual photographs hold some appeal for adult aficionados, but collections for children should be stocked with the multitude of better alphabet books.
Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1ST edition (May 9, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562826964
• ISBN-13: 978-1562826963
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the little one, great for Mom and Dad, July 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: ABC (Hardcover)

This was one of my son's first favorite books. He would listen to me read it as many times as I was willing, and because of Wegman's non-cutesy approach, that was many times indeed. Although the dog-formed letters aren't as clear as text, they don't need to be - there are many other instances of the letters on each page, and hearing them is as important as seeing them. Overall, a great experience in enjoying reading for parent and child alike.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous for children AND adults, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ABC (Hardcover)

My 5 year old son has this book memorized. He laughs everytime he reads it. It has also been very helpful in teaching him the alphabet. It is an especially fun book for us since our pet is a Weimeraner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new approach to the alphabet, January 27, 2000

By 

frisky2000 "frisky2000" (Margaritaville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: ABC (Hardcover)

This book made me wish learning the a-b-c's were this much fun back in my own childhood. The photos are amazingly original and your kids will truly enjoy coming back to their letter lessons with Wegman's adorable dogs. A very fresh approach to teaching! NOTE: check out Wegman's fairy tales featuring his prize dogs too.