THE CHRISTMAS ALPHABET
illustrated by Robert Sabuda
The Christmas book of the year. These 26 dazzling, magical pop-ups commemorate holiday sights and symbols in unforgettable ways. Each effect (there are four per spread) with its one-word label, is hidden behind a flap of undecorated colored paper, glued onto a plain white background. Most of the pop-ups themselves are white, which gives them an elegant look, and Sabuda (Saint Valentine, 1992) has designed them all to move gracefully when the flaps are opened. The ``Angel'' rises up reverently; a halo spins behind the ``Candle'' flame; a pair of snow ``Friends'' wave cheerily; ribbon swirls around a ``Gift'' (lift the box cover to find out what it is); the ``Snowflake'' and ``Poinsettia'' seem to explode out; and, at the end, Santa is seen catching a few Zs. Besides being an imaginative paper designer, Sabuda uses form, color, and space expertly: a rare combination. Just terrific. (Pop- up/Picture book. All ages)