15 of the Best Alphabet Books for children of all ages
The alphabet is magical and wondrous. It is the building blocks of a complex code that unlocks the world of literacy. Children are exposed to letters at an early age from the environmental print around them. Learning keywords that start with the letters of the alphabet helps to strengthen alphabet knowledge and the connection between letters and sounds. Reading alphabet books aloud with your child will unlock the world of letters, vocabulary, and letter play. Here are 15 Reading Boots favorites for all age readers:
Baby & Toddler (Ages 0-3)
Alligator Alphabet, by Stella Blackstone, great first alphabet book with cute and colorful illustrations of animals and alphabet letters.
Eating Through the Alphabet, by Lois Ehlert, introduction to alphabet letters through vibrantly colored illustrations of fruits and vegetables.
B is for Bear, Roger Priddy, a rhyming alphabet book perfect for babies and toddlers with touch and feel pages.
LMNO Peas, by Keith Baker, cute little pea characters with interesting occupations interact with alphabet letters in a whole variety of funny ways.
Paul Thurlby’s Alphabet, by Paul Thurlby, features unique and funky graphics that make the letters come to life in this retro hip alphabet book.
Emergent & Beginning Reader (Ages 3-6)
Z is for Moose, by Kelly Bingham, an amusing and often hilarious story about a moose and a zebra putting on a show about the alphabet. At times letters are out of order which lends best to a beginning reader who has alphabetic understanding.
Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack, By Doreen Cronin, the beloved animals from Cronin “Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type” are planning a picnic in this alphabetical adventure.
Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABCs (the Hard Way), by Patrick McDonnell, a wordless alphabet book about a cat who gets into trouble when he comes across an alligator, a bear, a cat, and a dragon. Perfect for the reader who likes adventures.
A, B, See . . . The Beatles!, by Jill Davis, a blast from the past! Readers will get educated on the history of the Beatles while learning the ABCs. Perfect for the young and young at heart Beatle lovers.
A, B to Jay-Z, by Jessica Chiha, a perfect pick for the hip-hop rap lover.
A My Name is Alice, by Jane Bayer, a Reading Boots childhood favorite, is filled with alliterations about animals from around the world selling interesting things. It is sure to make lasting memories.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr., a popular alphabet book for little readers who love to see the letters race to the top of the coconut tree. Chanting this book adds an ounce of extra fun.Intermediate Reader (Ages 6-8)
Animalia, by Graeme Base, an alphabet animal fantasy adventure filled with exquisite illustrations, robust vocabulary words, and hidden pictures for the reader to find on each page.
Q is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game, by Michael Folsom, celebrating its 25th year, kids will delight in figuring out the alphabet riddles.
The Z was Zapped, by Chris Van Allsburg, amazing black and white pencil drawings add intrigue to the mysterious mishaps of alphabet letters on a theater stage.
Have fun diving into the wonderful world of the alphabet!
