THE ALPHABET PARADE

Various animals, a couple of people and a few objects, all starting with the appropriate letter, parade through the alphabet.

One or two letters and their designated representatives are featured on their own page as they take readers from A to Z. An ostrich rides on a float with a large letter “O” behind it, while a panda and polar bear march with a banner sporting the letter “P.” One, two or three rhymed couplets accompany each scene, often heavy with alliteration: “C is for the clapping CLOWN who wears a cowboy hat. / D is for the dancing DOG who waltzes with a cat! // E is for the ELEPHANT who waves at everyone. / F is for the friendly FOX who fiddles just for fun.” There are some clever moments here and there (“L is for the LEOPARD who likes to count his spots”), but mostly the text is nothing new. The lively paintings of friendly creatures in bright colors drawn with playful line are what give the book energy, although some of the visuals come across as improbable rather than whimsical (a unicorn carrying an umbrella in its hoof?). The letters are written in a variety of typefaces, colors, patterns and fonts, so this may be best for more experienced alphabet-book readers.

While not spectacular, it is an amusing spectacle all the same.