A Is for . . . ?: A Photographer's Alphabet of Animals [Hardcover]

Henry Horenstein (Author)

Book Description

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

In this sophisticated alphabet book, each letter serves as a clue to the identity of the animal pictured in a dazzling photographic puzzle. Seen from startling perspectives, familiar creatures are made fantastical, and readers of all ages are sure to be guessing what they are--all the way to Z! A key at the back of the book provides answers to the visual puzzles, and a photographer’s note details the techniques photographer and teacher Henry Horenstein employed to capture these unforgettable sepia-toned images.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Mysteriously intriguing sepia photographs of animal parts-wings and tails, feet and fins, fur and feathers, talons and tendrils-make up this attractive book. Each page contains only a letter and a picture of a portion of a creature. The photographs are closely focused to hide the animal's identity, but offer enough detail to invite speculation. Subjects range from the familiar (duck, ape, horse) to the more unusual (kudu, urchin) and the slightly unfair (oX). Four pages of pictures at the end provide a key. The photographer concludes with a short description of the process of wildlife photography and the making of this book. An unusual view of the natural world.
Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A Is For...? (36 pp.; $16.00; Oct.; 0-15-201582-5) This clever alphabet book invites viewers to discover the animalone for each letter of the alphabetthat Horenstein has captured in an intriguing tinted black-and-white photograph. It is no easy task, as often, only one part of the animal in question appears: a fin, tail, horn, eye. To add to the challenge, the link between the animal's name and the letter of the alphabet under discussion is not always apparent, e.g., the ox for X. The photographs have a soft and somewhat old-fashioned look, and encourage repeat viewings. A fuller shot of every animal as well as information on photography appears in the back, where Horenstein also explains that he took 7,000 photos to find the 57 used in the book. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (September 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152015825
• ISBN-13: 978-0152015824
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,195,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Henry Horenstein is a widely published and exhibited professional photographer and the author of more than two dozen books, including the classic texts Black & White Photography and Beyond Basic Photography, and monographs such as Honky Tonk, Animalia, Show, Close Relations, and Racing Days. Horenstein is professor of photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. You can see his work at www.horenstein.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, but maybe a bit scary?, July 30, 2011

By 

L. E. Wolf (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A is for-- ?: A photographer's alphabet of animals

I love these pictures, but they might frighten my baby. Think I'll set it aside for now. Love that the last pages tell you what each picture was of, as a few are mysterious.