About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to spark a sense of playfulness around early literacy or when your child needs a break from traditional, cartoonish primers. While many alphabet books rely on simple illustrations, William Wegman uses his famous Weimaraner dogs to literally embody the alphabet, posing their sleek bodies to form letters. This book is perfect for the child who is starting to recognize shapes and letters but responds best to humor and real-world imagery. It encourages a sophisticated way of looking at the world, showing that art and creativity can be found in the most unexpected places: like the curve of a dog's ear or the stretch of a silver paw. It is a gentle, witty, and visually arresting experience that builds vocabulary while celebrating the bond between humans and their pets.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The book is entirely secular and safe for all audiences.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler who is obsessed with animals and starting to show interest in letters. It is also excellent for a child who may be a visual learner or who finds traditional illustrations overstimulating: the clean, photographic style provides a different cognitive entry point.
Parent Prep
No prep is needed. The book can be read cold. Some vocabulary words associated with the letters may be slightly more advanced (e.g., 'A' for 'Acrobat'), providing good opportunities for definition. A parent might choose this after seeing their child struggle with abstract letter shapes, or perhaps after noticing the child trying to make shapes with their own body or toys.
