Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
Backseat A-B-See
Written and Illustrated by Maria van Lieshout
Chronicle Books, 2012
Non-fiction
Suitable for: Ages 2 and up
Themes/Topics: Alphabet, Signs, Car trips
Opening Line: Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see?
Synopsis: (from Maria van Lieshout’s site) Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see? Using familiar road signs, this book introduces little ones to the alphabet as well as to the signage they see from the backseat of a car.
Link to Resources: In an author’s note, Maria van Lieshout shares some background on signs. On a road trip, see how many ABCs you can find in the signs. You can also discuss the colors and shapes of signs. This lesson plan has a variety of activities including a street sign gallery.
Why I like this book: I decided to share a few diverse ABCs from my recent study. I enjoyed this one, because it showed an everyday object in a unique light. Author Illustrator Maria van Lieshout wrote: “When I discovered my young son was equally Smitten with road signs, I set out to create a book that celebrates them.”
For more PPBF selections, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Today, author and illustrator Salina Yoon is being interviewed on Darshana’s blog Flowering Minds. She reviewed Yoon’s Penguin series on Thursday. I love Penguin (thank you Cathy for the introduction!). I find the Penguin books to be perfect in so many ways and can’t wait to read the interview. I’ll post a direct link to the interview when it’s live.
Teresa Robeson
I remember Mira mentioning this book in her class when she talked about her crit group members and I meant to check it out but never did, so thanks for the reminder to do so this time (unless I flake out again). 🙂
stacy
I really need to request the author’s other books. She has a fun looking list. Maybe I’ll find an ABC of Colleges that will appeal to you Teresa. 🙂
Julie Rowan-Zoch
I like the ABC of Colleges idea too, Stacy!
stacy
Julie, You and Teresa could collaborate on that. I still need to do the ABC of preschool that isn’t just an ABC book.
Sue Heavenrich
it’s just like the games we played with our kids in the car – the ABC game with signs!
stacy
Sue, I’m sure your kids have fun memories of those games!
Wendy Greenley
What a great book for car trips! Our library puts together bags with small toys and books that families can borrow for summer treks. I’ll have to mention this one to them!
stacy
Wendy, it would be a great one for summer treks.
Rosi
I hadn’t heard of this book, but it seems like a great book for car trips. Thanks for telling me about it.
stacy
Rosi, it will be fun for car trips.
Patricia Tilton
Great book kids can use in the car. I loved games like this as a kid to pass the time traveling. I’ve enjoyed the fun ABC books that you’ve tracked down. I believe I saw an ABC Book for Google. Can’t remember where.
stacy
I’ll have to look for that one! ABC for Google.
Sue Wang
Cute and educational. As a driver for a long time now, I don’t like sit in the back… So great this book makes it fun and interesting for the back seat peeps.
stacy
It’s a fun one for the younger set of backseat drivers. Might be a good choice for adult backseat drivers too. 🙂
Laura Anne Miller
I love ABC games and road signs. We made a Xcountry road trip twice. My favorite sign was a MOOSE crossing sign. We never saw moose – but just the thought they were around was awesome.
stacy
I saw a moose in a Colorado city once … roaming around. Lots of fun animal signs around the country.
Joanna
I need to read books like this to learn to write for the very young.
stacy
I love books like this Joanna, because it’s a simple topic and really great execution.
Kirsten Larson
What a clever play on words. My kids love playing “I Spy” in the car, and street signs are a feature they frequently spy. This book looks fun.
stacy
Great for I Spy and to think about everyday objects like signs in the ABC form.
The Armchair Squid
What a great idea! Kids spend a lot of time in cars, staring out the window.
stacy
Yes. It’s a great book for road trips.
Rhythm
My Princesses read me this book over Skype. They thought it was excellent!
stacy
Skype is great for books and Princesses! Very cool they were able to read to you.
Joanne Roberts
Ha. I wish I’d had this book when the kids were younger. I’ll definitely have to look for it now. Thanks.
stacy
I know a great book.