Alphabet books, like Mother Goose rhymes, were among the earliest books published for children.
The colonists often used primers illustrated with the ABCs to teach reading as well as moral values and religious lessons. For example, the letter A was prominently used in the didactic verse, "In Adam's Fall/we sinned all," illustrated with simple black-and-white woodcut prints.
This is not the case with today's ABC books. Artistic illustrations form a centerpiece for the sequenced A-to-Z formats with text that extends beyond the rudimentary letter or object identification. Many alphabet books are based on sophisticated and timely concepts with themes appropriate for all ages.
The following are exemplary of recent ABC books:
"A Treasury of Alphabets" (Scholastic) is a collection of five books that celebrate rhythmic language and contemporary art styles. The classical "A Was Once an Apple Pie" by Edward Lear is followed by folk-art illustrations in "The Shaker Abecedarius" and "A Was an Archer." "An Alphabet of Nursery Rhymes" and "The Christmas Alphabet" are based on cartoon-like art. This treasury of ABCs is a winner.
"Alphabeasts" by Wallace Edwards (Kids Can Press) is a fantasy trip to 26 animals-in-residence. "L is for Lion/styling his locks" displays a mighty beast with brush, comb, braids and curly locks. The 26 watercolor and pencil portraits are stunning, a feast for the imagination.
Two books use classic paintings to illustrate the ABCs. "Museum ABC from the Metropolitan Museum of Art" (Little/Brown) displays four contrasting pictures for each letter of the alphabet; for example, C is presented in American embroidery, a woodcut, a Chinese ink scroll and an oil painting from the Netherlands. Selections represent dozens of artists and centuries of illustration. Detailed references about the painting and artist add to the great value of this book.
"Baby Einstein: The ABCs of Art" by Julie Aigner-Clark and Nadeem Zaidi (Hyperion) presents a more focused adaptation of great art prints while still depicting a broad range of styles and forms selected from hundreds of years of art exhibition.
(The Baby Einstein Co. was organized to present music, poetry, language and art in a "baby-friendly way." The company's 20 concept books are presented in large full-color format that appeals to the very youngest reader.)
Laura Krauss Melmed and Frane Lessac have combined lively text and folk art gauche paintings in "Capital! Washington D.C. from A to Z" (Harper Collins). From A (Air and Space Museum) to Z (National Zoo), readers will find monuments, historical buildings and renowned museums. The end papers serve as a map to one of the most visited cities in America.