Ages 1-3. This appetizing alphabet book shows fruits and vegetables so juicy and alive, you'll wish they could jump off the page and into your mouth. Even vegetable haters will find it hard to resist the vibrantly colored collage illustrations, which make each item look fascinating and appealing. Long a favorite picture book, this title is now available in a smaller board book edition, just right for introducing toddlers to the mysteries of endive, kiwifruit and papaya. Booklist called the original "bright, bold... well designed."
From Publishers Weekly
"Apple to Zucchini, / come take a look. / Start eating your way / through this alphabet book." So begins this delectable feast of fruits and vegetables, in a diverse and plentiful array. Each turn of the page reveals a mouth-watering arrangement of foods: Indian corn, jalapeno, jicama, kumquat, kiwifruit and kohlrabi. The words are shown in capital and lowercase letters set in bold type for easy reading. At the end of the book, Ehlert provides a detailed glossary that includes pronunciation, botanical information, the origin and history of the particular plant and occasional mythological references, with a small watercolor picture to remind the reader of what the plant looks like. Ehlert's glorious watercolor collages are lively and enticing; as in her Growing Vegetable Soup , she presents the plant world in an appealing and easily accessible manner. Both parents and children will be encouraged to sample exotic new foods at mealtime. Ages 3-5. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- Brilliant, vibrant watercolor collages portray fruits and vegetables that start with each letter of the alphabet. The objects depicted, shown against a white ground, are easily identifiable for the most part, and represent the more common sounds of the letter shown. (Only "J" jalapeno, jicama falls short of this criterion.) The problem letter "X" is cleverly handled with "xigua"--the Chinese name for watermelon. Both upper- and lower-case letters are printed in large, black type. A nice added touch is the glossary which includes the pronunciation and interesting facts about the origin of each fruit and vegetable, how it grows, and its uses. An exuberant, eye-catching alphabet book that's sure to be popular with parents, teachers, and youngsters. --Barbara B. Murphy, Shaler Area School District Libraries, PittsburghCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 1^-3. A board-book version of Ehlert's bright, bold alphabet book of fruits and vegetables, this is smaller than the original, but almost identical in content. Since the shape of the book remains the same, the layout and pictures are intact. The glossary is gone, but it will not be missed at this age level. The brilliant colors look even more vibrant on the glossy, laminated pages, though the illustrations lose some of their graphic punch when reduced in size. Still, a well-designed book for toddlers intrigued by parsnips, potatoes, peas, peppers, pumpkins, and the like. Carolyn Phelan
Book Description
While teaching upper- and lowercase letters to preschoolers, Ehlert introduces fruits and vegetables from around the world. A glossary at the end provides interesting facts about each food.
Card catalog description
An alphabetical tour of the world of fruits and vegetables, from apricot and artichoke to yam and zucchini.
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z ANNOTATION
An alphabetical tour of the world of fruits and vegetables, from apricot and artichoke to yam and zucchini.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
While teaching upper- and lowercase letters to preschoolers, Ehlert introduces fruits and vegetables from around the world. A glossary at the end provides interesting facts about each food.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
An alphabetical tour of the world of fruits and vegetables by a Caldecott honor book winning illustrator. Favorites like tomatoes and bananas are illustrated and named along with less familiar ones such as radicchio and jalapeno peppers. The book contains information notes on each term. 1996, (orig.
Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin
All too frequently, teachers tell me that colleagues strike alphabet books from their upper-grade library's order list. That's sad, for the best alphabet books are for everyone. For example with Ehlert's book you can share it as 1) a simply beautiful alphabet book, 2) a sampling of edible plants elementary grade youngsters can categorize (i.e. leaf or root, crunchy or slurpy, yellow or green), whose origins can be pinpointed on a map, or whose preparations reflect cultural similarities or differences, 3) a collection of fine watercolor collages, anyone can try, 4) an information book with glossary entries that are models of tightly constructed, information laden, two-to-four sentence paragraphs. 1996 (orig.
Art & Photography
Book Info
