Merriam-Webster's Alphabet Book [Hardcover]

Ruth Heller (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

New title! A beautifully illustrated alphabet book created for preschoolers ages 2 and up, uniquely showcasing the talents of renowned children's author and illustrator Ruth Heller. Featuring full-color illustrations for each letter of the alphabet as well as amusing verses introducing the different sounds each letter makes when spoken. Designed to be a lasting source of pleasure and information for young learners as they take the first steps toward reading, writing, and communication skills.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ruth Heller, called a "superstar" of children's literature by San Francisco Magazine, wrote and illustrated a total of 23 fiction and nonfiction children's books before her death in 2004. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a degree in fine arts, she lived in San Francisco and raised two sons before venturing into the fields of freelance design and commercial art. After refining her skills at Yaddo, an artists' colony in upstate New York, her writing career was launched in 1981 with the publication of "Chickens Aren't the Only Ones". Throughout her life, she was a frequent guest speaker at schools and libraries, where she loved teaching children about grammar and nature and entertaining them with her detailed, colorful drawings and delightful word play.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Merriam-Webster (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087779023X
• ISBN-13: 978-0877790235
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,499,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lovely illustrations, poor form overall. Perhaps suitable for children learning PHONICS, May 13, 2009

By 

Quickhappy "quickhappy" (Big city, big country) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Alphabet Book (Hardcover)

While the illustrations in this book are excellent, the book really misses the mark. The book is not well suited to toddlers, who are the usual audience for an ABC book. Instead, it is best for early readers, particularly those learning phonics. That is, the text of the book stresses how to read and use different letters. It shows that one letter can make different sounds depending on its placement and combination. Unfortunately, the ABC format of the book does not at all appeal to our six year old ("ABC books are for toddlers," she stated), nor does it work for our toddler. Our toddler, for example, doesn't understand why the lion appears on the page for "Y" (because the lion is yawning) instead of "L." It's a bit over her tot head.

In sum, I don't think this book really works for any age. The possibility, however, is that it might be of great use to a person teaching young readers (4 or 5) to make sense of phonics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Teacher's K-1, June 3, 2011

By 

katie grether - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Alphabet Book (Hardcover)

Children can not sit through this entire book. It is best when you are trying to introduce one letter and it's sound or sounds. **** Great addition to the kinder or 1st grade classroom!