Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
Augie to Zebra An Alphabet Book!
Kate Endle & Caspar Babypants
Sasquatch Books, 2012
Fiction
Suitable for: Ages 3 and up
Themes/Topcs: Alphabet, Names
Opening Line: Augie Awards the Ape
Synopsis: (from jacket) The Beautiful Alphabet of Names: This colorful and rhythmic alphabet book illustrates the diversity of people and names. Meet Hiroshi, Sisika, Gabby, and Pasquale! Collage artist Kate Endle and musician Caspar Babypants come together again to compose a beautifully happy trip from Augie to Zebra and all the letters in between.
Link to Resources: The book contains a “Can you find these other items that start with each letter?” on the final page. You can return to each page to identify all the objects. Listen to free songs for this and other books here. Since I’m posting this at the end of the 2014 Winter Olympics, another activity would be to find Olympic competitor names to complete the alphabet. I’m guessing the alphabet can be found among the international athletes.
Why I like this book: Over the last week, I’ve read dozens of ABC books — from simple to complex lists to full blown stories. This one stood out for its simple text and lovely collage illustrations. If you enjoy paper collage work, check out Kate Endle’s website and etsy shop. I was not disappointed.
For more PPBF selections, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
My kids are well beyond the alphabet books years so I’ve not kept up with what’s out there in that area. I do like collage art though. One of my fav collage PB artists is, of course, Lois Ehlert (I’ve probably botched her last name again). Will check out Kate Endle’s website. 🙂
I enjoyed visiting Kate Endle’s site. Lovely work.
Looks like a great choice, Stacy! I love that it embraces names from so many cultures – very nice. I like your idea of trying to find Olympic athlete names for each letter 🙂
Susanna, Clar and I had great Olympic thoughts this week. hee hee
I was smitten by collage this week, too! I haven’t seen your selection and will have to be on the lookout.
I loved your selection Wendy. This week there so many books on the list.
It is hard to fine truly unique ABC’s, thanks for spotting this one for us.
I know what you mean Joanna.
i like collages and diverse names -start the kids early. Great idea!
The collages are fun.
What a great cover. Like the idea that the illustrator chose collages for his medium. This book does sound unique. Like the idea that you are studying so many of them. You’ll have to give us a list of your favorites at some point.
I hope I’ll have a fun top 10 when I’m finished Patricia. I put another dozen on hold at the library.
Will have to read this – alone for the Caspar Babypants song!
You can listen to the songs from the website. It was a bit jumpy, but that’s likely an internet issue on my end.
This sounds like it could double as a cultural diversity book. 🙂
It might. The names are very unique.
Great choice! A girl in my class is a writer, and her first name starts with an A and her last name starts with a Z. 🙂
What a perfect combination of names!
I love ABC books and collage stuff. And I don’t think I could pass up a book from someone named Babypants! Too awesome!
Yes. The Babypants part is intriguing.
This looks and sounds packed full of fun. Love artwork. Thanks Stacy
It is a fun book.