Area librarians choose their all-time favorites!
Originally appeared in the Tri-City Herald, Tuesday, July 10, 2001

Bev Stubbles, Community Librarian at the Burbank Branch of the Walla Walla County Library, says: "My all-time favorite alphabet book  is Dr. Seuss’s ABC.   I consider this to be the single best alphabet book for preschool children. This book combines rhythm, rhyme, repetition of letter sounds, and classic illustrations to reinforce several important pre-reading concepts: names of the alphabet letters, alphabetic order, phonics, and letter case, i.e. ‘big’ (capital) letters and ‘little’ (lower case) letters. This title was consistently one of my daughter’s bedtime favorites and has become my standard baby gift to new parents. It is a joy to read and share with children, who soon hear the pattern and love to join in ‘reading’ the book, too. It’s a keeper!" [Random House, 1996]

Karen Recher, Children’s Librarian at the Kennewick Branch of the Mid-Columbia Library, picks The Christmas Alphabet, by Robert Sabuda, as her favorite. "Primary letters on colored doors open to white 3-D pop-ups; this book is unforgettable.   The items depicted are full of interest to all, like the "g" for gift; one must open the top to see what’s inside!" [Orchard Books, 1994]

Inez Freeman, Managing Librarian at the Othello Branch of the Mid-Columbia Library, likes On Market Street, by Arnold Lobel, illustrated by Anita Lobel. "One of my favorite alphabet books, because I use it successfully in story time, is one that doesn’t meet all the criteria of good alphabet books. It certainly does not display clearly both upper and lower case letters. Still, I like Arnold Lobel’s rhythmic opening and closing paragraphs and Anita Lobel’s paintings. Constructed of books, ribbons, zippers and other objects, her imaginative mannequins illustrate the alphabet. A child could spend hours studying the wares displayedOn Market Street." [Greenwillow Books, 1981]

Kelly Reed, Children’s Librarian at Richland Public Library, uses   Old Black Fly, written by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, in her storytimes. "Follow this mischievous fly as he buzzes through the house and lands everywhere he shouldn’t. From eating the crust of the apple pie to landing on a table with a "zzzzzz," he makes a stop at every letter of the alphabet. A rolling rhythm makes this a fun book to read aloud and it won’t be long before kids will be joining in for the "Shoo Fly! Shoo Fly! Shoo!" parts. [Henry Holt, 1992]

Connie Farr, a Reference Librarian at Richland Public Library, chooses  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert. "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Will there be enough room in your life to read this rollicking, rhythmic tale several times a day??? You’ll want to make time for this fun tale of the 26 ‘little’ letters racing to the top of the coconut tree. You and your youngster will enjoy it immensely. The joyous tempo of the simple story is enhanced by Ehlert’s clean, vibrant illustrations. So skit, skat skoodle doot, flip flap flee! Sit right down and read this book to me!" [Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1989]

Brian Soneda, Assistant Director, Public Services, Mid-Columbia Library selected Brian Wildsmith’s ABC   as his favorite. "Alphabet books don’t get much simpler than this: on the left hand page, the name of the depicted animal, person or object in both lower case and capital letters, and on the right hand page, the drawing. The drawings have both character and clarity, as one subject and one subject alone is depicted. A black cat stares intently at the reader opposite "cat CAT". A "yak YAK" that is both belligerent and cuddly challenges you. There are artier, fancier, more clever, more complex and even better drawn alphabet books in any library’s collection. But overall, there just aren’t any better ones." [Franklin Watts, 1962]