Gyo Fujikawa's A to Z Picture Book [Hardcover]

Gyo Fujikawa (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Backback Books (2002)
• ISBN-10: 0760733988
• ISBN-13: 978-0760733981
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,662,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gyo Fujikawa (1908-1999) made a career in the advertising world and also enjoyed a lengthy stint at the Walt Disney Studios where she designed the large book version of Fantasia. In 1957, she illustrated her first picture book, A Child's Garden of Verses (9781402750625). Many others followed, some of which she also wrote. Babies (9781402756993), first published in 1963, stands as a landmark: it was the first children's book to depict infants of all races and nations sharing growing experiences. Fujikawa's books have been translated into 17 languages and are read in more than 22 countries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring this one back!!, August 27, 2009

By 

3 polkadots (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gyo Fujikawa's A to Z Picture Book (Hardcover)

If other books by Fujikawa are still in print, it is completely regretful that this one is no longer. This was probably my favorite picture book from childhood. The enchanting illustrations are a feast for the eyes. Each letter of the alphabet (capital and lowercase) is given its own large page, consisting of black and white drawings representing words beginning with the corresponding letter. Everyday items, foods, plants, animals, and even actions, adjectives and feelings are thoughtfully included. Alternating with the black and white letter pages are full-color pages giving further creative representation to each letter. The "D for dreams" was a particularly favorite page, showing five children lined up asleep in their beds, each experiencing a different type of dream, whether it be dangerous, delicious, dreadful, delightful or disgusting. The abundant detail on each page gives children much to ponder, and this book now completely engages my two-year-old. If you are a Gyo Fujikawa fan, this book is a must-have.

**Update- I just noticed this book will be released in September 2010. I cannot wait to share this book with others - it is so special and perfect for gift-giving.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gyo Fujikawa's A to Z Picture Book, December 14, 1999

By 

Louise George (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gyo Fujikawa's A to Z Picture Book (Hardcover)

The illustrations are charming and realistic. This was my son's favorite book as a toddler.Mine too! The pictures are wonderful!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best ABC Book Ever Published, February 28, 2011

By 

RBarr (Fort Davis, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gyo Fujikawa's A to Z Picture Book (Hardcover)

My now 33 year-old daughter Lindsey "introduced" this book to me when she was just a few months old. As an infant, she would sit in my lap and gaze at the pictures, entranced, as I traced the images with a finger and read aloud the captions beneath each one.

The book continued to captivate her attention long after she'd lost interest in the latest new toy, whatever that might happen to be. When an out-of-town friend visited with her little girl Jessica, a couple of years older than Lindsey, she showed her new friend the book. "Chambered nautilus," I heard two year-old Lindsey instructing Jessica. Jessica's mother gave me a startled look and said, "She just said 'chambered nautilus.' Is that really in there?"

"Yep," I grinned. "You should see the picture."

Lindsey developed an unusually large vocabulary for her age and enunciated very clearly even when she was just beginning to talk. I've often given the credit for those early abilities to Gyo Fujikawa's extraordinary alphabet book.

Lindsey has two children, now 11 and 12 years old, both of whom were entranced with Lindsey's old book when they were little. They, also, have uncharacteristically large vocabularies and read several levels above their actual grade. Lindsey and I were discussing the contribution the A to Z Picture Book made to both her and her children's education, and she asked me if she could have the book to keep.

When I reminded her I had already given it to her when her children were little, she grew rather distraught. "I don't have it any more. Oh, no. I'll have to get another one. That was the best book EVER!"

So here I am, searching for an old friend on Amazon. So glad to see it's still available. I'll be purchasing a copy for Lindsey and another for my own bookshelf. Just never know when another grandbaby - or even a great-grandbaby - might come along!