Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures [Paperback]

Steven Kellogg (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 1992 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Alliterative text and pictures present adventures of animals from A to Z.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kellogg has gone all out on this alliterative, tongue-twisting adventure. Aster Aardvark is the main character in a alphabetically inspired romp through the world of language and imagination from A to Z. Featuring a number of captivating animal characters, each page fairly bursts with energy. The highly detailed and humorous full-color illustrations will be a treat for fans of Kellogg's distinctive style, and they complement the equally zany text. Some notable examples: "Hermione, a hefty hippo, hurt her hip hurling herself into the Hawaiian Hula Hoop Happening" and "Kenilworth, the kind kangaroo, kissed his kin Katherine Koala, who had kept his kite and his kitchen key in her kayak." All ages.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3 Aster Aardvark, who ``had an aversion to the alphabet'' but achieved an ``amazing aptitude for aerial alphabetical acrobatics,'' skywrites letters as she propels her plane across many pages of Kellogg's alphabet book. These illustrations are Kellogg at his best. The pages overflow with his sensational, cavorting cartoon characters embroiled in sublimely ridiculous situations. Accompanying each page or two of illustration is a tongue twister of an explanation using the featured letter in a flow of alliterative nonsense. Complex vocabulary flows freely, and herein lies the problem. Older readers may delight in the bizarre banter, but they will feel that the illustrations are for children much younger. As a preschool picture book, however, pity the poor parents perplexed by the preposterous paradigms of prose which they must paraphrase to appease their prodigious progeny. Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688115713
• ISBN-13: 978-0688115715
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With the same energy, humor and clarity found in his 50 books, David wows audiences at schools around the United States and beyond. David is an accomplished storyteller and a master at getting kids to think and have fun at the same time. His presentations lead children on entertaining and educational journeys that combine math, science, reading and writing. David also gives keynote presentations and workshops for educators at professional conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally terrific tongue-twisting tomfoolery!, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures (Library Binding)

oooh, this is a GOOD one! A wonderful use of alliteration in presenting the alphabet. The pages are all mini-stories, each using one letter of the alphabet. (First page is all A words, second all B words....)

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, January 11, 2011

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures (Paperback)

Okay, this book is a little bit exhausting to read. It's a series of alliterative vignettes, loosely connected by a skywriting aardvark. (Please, don't ask.) They're... long. Funny, hilarious, uproarious - but long.

As an example, let's take a look at X, which is pretty short because, y'know, X.

"Xerxes Ox excused Rex from the exercise exhibition by the six expert executives after he became exhausted from excessive exertion."

I know, you think 26 letters of that isn't too bad, right? P is twice as long, and M is longer still!

So this is clearly not the book to read right before bedtime, or when you have five minutes between now and recess. This is the one you pull out on the plane.

As long as we're clear on this, we're set. It's a bit wordy for smaller children (well, duh) and the vocabulary is definitely not suited for even erudite toddlers (now I'm doing it. Sorry.) Save it for the kids 4 or 5 and older.

5.0 out of 5 stars Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures, August 1, 2010

By 

stacy27 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures (Library Binding)

Aster is having trouble with her alphabet so she goes on an adventure through the alphabet. Great book for your ABC Station with a theme on transportation.