The Hidden Alphabet (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) [Hardcover]

Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Open this unusual book and you'll be greeted by a striking image of an arrowhead, surrounded by a simple black frame. Lift the frame and the arrowhead will be magically transformed into the letter A. And so it goes, from Balloons, Cloud, and Door, through Leaf and Mice, to Yolk and Zipper. Bold distinctive images and a simple yet ingenious format make this a concept book, and a gift book, to treasure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-From the black book jacket with cutout openings for each letter of the title to the vibrant, painterly strokes of yellow on the endpapers, Hidden Alphabet is a visual delight. A black mat frames an object on each page. When it is lifted, each of these objects becomes a significant part of the letter's negative space (e.g., two balloons form circles to make the openings in the letter "B"). This clever trick of changing viewers' perspective from foreground to background will keep readers turning the pages to see the other optical illusions this pictorial byplay produces. Because of the way they are formed, the letters are not always completely conventional in shape. This may challenge very young children to identify them, but readers of any age will enjoy seeing a mouse turn into an "M" made of cheese with a few tiny chunks nibbled out of it. Seeger's interesting word choices-arrowhead, inkblot, olive, partridge, quotation mark, yolk-and her sophisticated paintings make this a fascinating artistic experience as well as a learning opportunity.
Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS. Seeger's Hidden Alphabet uses a timeworn approach to A through Z that matches each letter with a word that begins with that letter, then adds a lift-the-flap format and a striking graphic design to transform the book into something new. Each shiny, thick black page features a cut-away through which children can view vibrantly colored objects, such as balloons. By lifting the flap, children will be surprised to discover that the object actually forms part of a letter. Kids may need help recognizing some of the objects featured, but the design is bold and clean enough to make the letters easily discernible. It is a book that manages to be both child friendly and visually exciting. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (September 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761319417
• ISBN-13: 978-0761319412
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...and speaking of books that should be considered art..., May 17, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hidden Alphabet (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Hardcover)

When you think of lift-the-flap-books, you may find yourself imagining those remarkably simple (not to say stupefyingly dull) "Spot" books or some other such dribble. Books that, while perfectly good, aren't exactly going to challenge wee ones' brains too too much. When you think of alphabet books, the mind turns to books where each page displays a letter with some object that begins with that letter. Ho hum, you say? Not a bit of it. "The Hidden Alphabet" has combined two overdone and usually shoddily produced picture book staples to create what may arguably be THE most beautiful alphabet book ever designed. Whether or not children will like the book for its flaps or its pictures remains to be seen. What is unquestionable, however, is its inherently gorgeous layout.

The book is remarkably thick. Probably one of the thickest picture books I've ever had the pleasure of playing with. When you open it up you see two pages with deep black paper. A small square has been cut out on each page, behind which is an image. Underneath the cutout is a word describing that image. For example, the first two pages show an "arrowhead" and some "balloons". Now lift the flap. Behind the first page the arrowhead becomes the center of a marbelized A. Behind the second flap the balloons are the holes in a deep blue B. Now on occasion Amazon.com will allow you to search inside the book and look at some of the pictures. Sadly, you cannot do that here. If you could, you would possibly be able to see some of the cleverer switches. Multiple pointy mouse heads poke inwards to reveal an M. Nails lying askew morph into a lovely N. The book offers no commentary or explanation. This is simply a way to make exploring the alphabet a fun and beautiful experience.

For parents of the sticky-fingered set, I am happy to report that the pages in this book are thick and durable. This isn't to say that a highly dedicated tot couldn't rip an L or a Z out if he or she really wanted to. It just cuts down on the number of potential accidents, is all. Also (and I credit the publisher with this one) fingerprints don't show up on the black pages. Kudos there. All in all, this is a gorgeous piece of work. One of the finest (if not THE finest) alphabetic jaunts to grace library and bookshelves nationwide. If you'd like to make a gift of an alphabet book to someone, but you don't want to feel cheap, "The Hidden Alphabet" is the lushest of its kind. Recommended in spades.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aphabet book for kids and adults!, October 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hidden Alphabet (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Hardcover)

What a surprise this book was! The beautiful illustrations pop right off the page. I just had to have it to share with my kindergarten students. When I shared it with my colleagues and principal, 4 of them ordered it right away! It would make a wonderful treasure to share with any age group!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily goes far beyond the usual a-b-c primer, September 13, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hidden Alphabet (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Hardcover)

It's hard to peg this presentation: Laura Vaccaro Seeger's The Hidden Alphabet's fold-out pages mean it's unlikely to remain durable enough for library lending, yet its unique approach to an artistic look at the alphabet deems it of interest to an older audience than the usual alphabet book would appeal to. Nonetheless, fans of artistic alphabet presentations will find The Hidden Alphabet easily goes far beyond the usual a-b-c primer, inviting fresh perspectives on alphabet art.