The Z Was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts [Paperback]

Chris Van Allsburg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A dramatic black-and-white presentation of the alphabet in which the two-time Caldecott Medalist depicts a mysterious transformation of each letter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Van Allsburg's latest is not an alphabet book but an "alphabet theatre": as its title page proclaims, it is "a play in twenty-six acts, performed by the Caslon Players, written and directed by Mr. Chris Van Allsburg." In it, each letter of the alphabet is shown on a draped curtained stage, undergoing some sort of (usually ominous) transformation. Turning the page reveals the text that spells out the alphabetical event: the A was in an avalanche; the B was badly bitter; the C was cut to ribbons; and so on. This is an original and unusual undertaking, executed with both visual and verbal adroitness. In technique it most resembles Van Allsburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick; in both books, black pencil is used with remarkable skill to create the richness of texture and shading usually associated with full color. It is perhaps closest to Harris Burdick in ambition as well, in the sense that an imaginative challenge is presented to the reader (here, to come up with a verbal account of the pictured transformation before turning the page to find it). But the imaginative possibilities of the "alphabet theatre" are limited; this alphabet book format is more of an intriguing design element than a way to teach the ABCs. The picture and text that belong to a single letter are not on facing pages. While Van Allsburg's visual ingenuity is in full evidence (among his hauntingly realistic images are the evaporating E and the jittery J), there is both a sinister quality and an stagey dimension to the work. Artistically, a virtuoso performance, but one with an undeniably cold cast. All ages.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up Returning to the black-and-white medium of conte pencil, Van Allsburg now presents an alphabetical morality play in 26 acts. Each sculptured letter is the subject in an action-packed tableau enacted on a sedately curtained stage. Here is a preview of coming attractions``A was in an Avalanche, B was Badly Bitten, C was Cut to ribbons.'' Children can try to guess what action has occured, thereby increasing their vocabulary and the fun, or they can turn the page and read the text, or better yetdo both. This clever romp resembles old vaudeville theater, with one curious act following the next. The ``Y'' is even yanked offstage by a crook. However, the art reminds one of a still frame from a black-and-white film. In the frame titled ``S was Simply Soaked'' the water hangs in mid-air above the ``S'' as if the projector were shut off in mid-action. There is also a surrealistic quality inherent in the illlustrations. While the younger crowd may be able to guess some of the verbs that Van Allsburg illustrates, this is more an alphabet book for older children, who will enjoy guessing what heinous act is being foisted upon these noble letters. Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 56 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; None edition (October 26, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395937485
• ISBN-13: 978-0395937488
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,482,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching Ideas for Chris Van Allsburg Book, November 25, 1999

By 

INJURED YOGINI (Bakersfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Z Was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts (Hardcover)

This is more than just an alphabet book. Older children love this book. For a fun book innovation using alliteration read The Z was Zapped. Brainstorm verbs that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Assign each student a letter. Require each letter to have a sentence such as for letter A: The A was accepted into an association. Title your class's book something like: The Z was Zipped-up. This is a fun way to meet state content standard for alliteration. I have used this idea with 5th and 3rd graders for three years and tied it into many of this author's works. Awesome illustrations!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The alphabet as only Chris Van Allsburg could do it!, August 15, 2000

By 

Ann M. Huebner (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Z Was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of Chris Van Allsburg and own several of his books. My son (almost three) is still too young for most of them. This one, however, he enjoys. It's an alphabet book as only Chris Van Allsburg could do it--theatrical, eerie, and lots of fun. Dramatic things happen to each of the letters. The W is warped, the Z is zapped and so forth. Many of the concepts, such as warping and disappearing, are rather abstract, so this is probably not the first alphabet book you want to use with your children. But once you are past the "A is for apple" stage, this book is marvelous. Terrific for vocabulary-building. I've seen it showcased at several teacher conventions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A is for Amazing, August 25, 2007

By 

J. A. Davis "jadecat" (Northern Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Z Was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts (Hardcover)

Amazing

Black & White Illustrations

(Cleverly

Drawn)

Encourage

Folks to

Guess what

Happens that

Ingeniously

Jeopardizes all

Kinds of

Letters.

Many

Naturally

Observant

People

Quickly

Realize

Some

Talent

Underneath

Van Allsburg's

Warped &

eXceptionally

Youthful

Zeal.