Alphabeasts: A Hide-And-Seek Alphabet Book [Library Binding]

Durga Bernhard (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

An alphabetical introduction to the ways in which real and imaginary animals might use camouflage, from ape to zebra fish.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vibrant nature scenes camouflage animals both ordinary and exotic, real and imagined, in an abecedarian work that offers little ones the "thrill of the hunt." With its preponderance of teals, brick reds and deep purples, the brightly colored artwork imparts a subtle Southwestern feel, and Bernhard ( What's Maggie Up To? ) effectively uses the ample white space to set off the square, bordered illustrations. Smaller squares highlight the featured letters in complementing colors, and miniature images of the animals appear on the bottom corner of each page (presumably to assist those not familiar with xenops, vicunas or iguanas). The artwork's very simplicity results in a somewhat static quality here, though the (sometimes surprisingly difficult) challenge of discovering the concealed creatures may keep youngsters happily occupied--a game that puts an agreeable spin on a familiar genre. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- From the common frog to the unfamiliar xenops, 26 animals hide in the jungle, forest, or pond, waiting to be found by readers. A spread at the end of the book further challenges young eyes to seek them out, while the letters appear in a collagelike mass on the last page. The design and contemporary palette (mauve, teal, coral, terra cotta, tangerine, ocher) combine to make this a visually pleasing book. Each uppercase letter is enclosed in a colored square, superimposed in the corner of a larger depiction of the camouflaged creature in its habitat. Tiny drawings appear on each page, offering readers visual clues in this hide-and-seek game. And it is as a game that the book works best. It lacks focus by presenting unicorns and dragons along with real animals in what could otherwise be an introduction to the concept of camouflage. Further, while most animals appear in their natural hues, others are more fancifully colored. Still, in one-on-one sharing or in small groups where the animals will be easier to spot, children will delight in the hunt. Pair it with Yoshi's Who's Hiding Here? (Picture Book Studio, 1991).
- Marianne Saccardi, Whitby School American Montessori Center, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823409937
• ISBN-13: 978-0823409938
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,953,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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