Alison's Zinnia [Paperback]

Anita Lobel (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1996 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"An unusual alphabet book incorporates reinforcement of individual letters into a dazzling display of floral painting as Lobel links girls' names, flowers, and verbs in a chain of floral gifts."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Flowers and the girls who give and receive them ("Beryl bought a Begonia for Crystal") take readers through an alphabet brought to full bloom by lushly colored illustrations. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

"Alison acquired an Amaryllis for Beryl" begins this luscious-looking alphabet book. Linking together a girl's name, a verb, and a flower, the brief text takes readers through 26 varieties and when "Zena zeroed in on a Zinnia for Alison," the chain comes full circle. A generous layout allows the painterly and botanically accurate illustrations to take center stage while a strip at the bottom quarter acts as a storyboard depicting each child's choice of flower. The full-color gouache and watercolor portraits offer a brilliant display of both the familiar, such as the daffodil, and the unfamiliar, like the Urtica. The composition is delightfully varied--one rose stands regally alone while dozens of delicate Quaker-ladies share an entire spread, and the use of color and texture exhibits a masterful touch. One can almost smell the fragrant Sweet william. Some noun and verb combinations seem forced, but most exhibit an inventive use of language that could offer inspiration for further wordplay. An elegant book that might best be enjoyed along with an adult who also appreciates the gift of flowers. --Caroline Ward, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY
Copyright 1990 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: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st Mulberry Books Ed edition (April 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688147372
• ISBN-13: 978-0688147372
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Gardening

More About the Author

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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 enchanting, January 26, 2000

By 

Kimberley Brown (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alison's Zinnia (Library Binding)

My 4 year old daughter and I found this book light-hearted and enchanting. The illustrations are beautiful. The book flows smoothly from start to finish making it a very pleasurable read for both parent and child. My daughter brings this book to me on a daily basis and we have read it over and over again. Delightful!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flowers A to Z, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alison's Zinnia (Hardcover)

Anita Lobel's Alison's Zinnia is a unique alphabet book using a circular tale to lead the reader from A to Z. Each page has one line which begins with a girl's name and a flower for that particular letter and ends with a girl's name for the next letter, "Heather hosed a Hyacinth for Irene". The split page illustrations show a large detailed painting of the flower on top and the story line with the alphabet letter below the text. I believe children will enjoy the challenge of the unusual names and the flowers portrayed in the picture book. In the classroom it would be a great children's literature rewrite. The students could use, for example, boys names and vegetables to create their own classroom version. Another example of her beautiful art work and her ability to capture the details of a flower are in The Rose in my Garden by Arnold and Anita Lobel.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful addition to any child's library!, April 23, 2002

By 

Nikol Le Vine "poet17" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alison's Zinnia (Hardcover)

When my son fell in love with all things blooming, I began my search for a book about flowers. I had been searching for a book that featured several different flower types and their names, as well as color illustrations. I was so pleased when I found Alison's Zinnia! Not only are there beautiful color paintings of the different blooms, there is also a narrative that teaches the ABC's. A few of the flower types are difficult to pronounce (even for the adults out there!), and how many girls do we really know named Xantippa? Also, I was a little disappointed that all the names featured in the book were little girls. I would have liked to see some boys thrown in the mix. Especially since I bought his book for my son. But I still think that the book is a priceless addition to our family library.