Elfabet: An ABC of Elves [Hardcover]

Jane Yolen (Author), Lauren A. Mills (Illustrator)

Book Description

This ingenious alphabet book by the award-winning author of Letting Swift River Go and Merlin and the Dragons features an assortment of elves from A to Z. Each illustrated elf--some clever, some mischievous--presents a different letter in a unique way. With exquisite illustrations and detailed floral borders, this is a book to be enjoyed again and again. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yolen, one of the most prolific writers for children these days (see preceding review), is back again--this time with an alphabet book. Library and bookstore shelves may groan under the weight of such volumes, but writers and illustrators never seem to tire of the concept. It seems a particularly curious choice for Yolen, whose talents certainly deserve better than a format this lightweight. Twenty-six elves (who must have sprung from one enormous litter, as their faces are nearly identical), each devoted to a single letter ("T is for Tinsel Elf terribly tangled"), cavort on cream-colored pages decorated with other alphabetically related items (teacup, toad, trumpet, etc.). Mills's fey illustrations have an old-fashioned look some readers will find alluring, but many will prefer to choose from the abundance of more inspired and dynamic alphabet books currently available. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Yolen's elves are all energetically engaged in a variety of activities: "G is for Grape Elf grumpily gathering," "K is for Kite Elf keenly kicking." Mills enters into the spirit of the book with watercolor drawings of dainty, pointy-eared, long-toed little folk busy in their flowered or fruited setting. Borders include upper- and lower-case letters and more flowers, birds, or animals that extend the initial letter theme, a device not uncommon among alphabet books. Although the text is unexceptional and the delicate artwork is somewhat precious, enough preschoolers and their care givers will enjoy the antics of the elves to warrant purchase where there is room for another alphabet book on the shelves. --Ann Stell, The Smithtown Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv) (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316968889
• ISBN-13: 978-0316968881
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,646,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art work is charming, and the the elves multcultural., January 25, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfabet: An ABC of Elves (Hardcover)

I bought the book for the art work first. Then I found that trying to name all the things very stimulating for adults as well as children. Each person in my family took turns with a page and tried to guess what all the items were according to the letter of the page. The short sentences are fun, when you try to say them fast. We made a game of that too. We really enjoyed this book a great deal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars kids seem to love it!, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elfabet: An ABC of Elves (Hardcover)

I sent this to my 2 1/2 year old goddess daughter for Yule. Last night she told me that she loves it and she kisses each fairy (elf) good night every night (her mother confirmed it). It's become her favorite book...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly unique alphabet, May 22, 2004

By 

Rebecca Besbris "Homeschooling mom, avid read... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elfabet: An ABC of Elves (Hardcover)

I love Jane Yolen, but wondered how she was going to pull off an alphabet book. After all, we're just talking about the ABCs, right?

In (...)Elfabet(...), Yolen imagines all sorts of elves working their way through the alphabet. Each elf has its own poem, describing the action on the page alliteratively. Lovingly illustrated by Lauren Mills, children can look through the pictures to find other words on the page that begin with the chosen letter. Our hands-down favorite is L-(...)the Lazy Lolipop Elf.

This book has helped my daughter with her alphabet, as well as her puzzle-solving skills, and it's funny to boot.