The Imaginary Alphabet by Sylvie Daigneault (Pajama Press, September 2023) is a gorgeous addition to an alliterative abecedaria book shelf. Each spread features a letter of the alphabet with an alliterative phrase. The imaginative illustrations, done with colored pencil, bring the silly sentences to life. For example, one favorite of mine is “Quick-tempered Quails Quarrelling in a Queue.”
The illustrations on each page feature the animals out of their natural habitats doing ridiculous human things. In addition to the illustrated scenes, an illuminated letter on each two-page spread is drawn with a concept that begins with the letter (such as bubbles for the letter B, vines for the letter V). The Imaginary Alphabet also becomes a seek-and-find book as readers examine each scene for more items that begin with the letter that are hiding in the illustrations. Can you find them all?
Overall, the ridiculous-ness of the scenes and the delight children will have in seeking all the items starting with that letter make The Imaginary Alphabet a lovely and imaginative book to add to any alphabet book shelf.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
