Pick of the Week: The Sleepy Little Alphabet

The Sleepy Little Alphabet: a bedtime story from alphabet town by Judy Sierra, with illustrations by Melissa Sweet (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)

Alphabet books abound, but this new title from Judy Sierra and Melissa Sweet is worth checking out. Judy Sierra (author of Counting Crocodiles and Preschool to the Rescue among other titles) works magic with rhyme as she tells the story of a little alphabet that won't go to bed. Each letter has a no-bedtime excuse. I is busy jumping on the bed..."m is mopey, n is naughty. Oops!  o and p upset the potty". But eventually, as we reach the end of the alphabet, the little ones are in fact growing very sleepy. The parents in this animated alphabet are represented by upper case letters, and the little ones are rendered in lower case. This is a fun take on a perennially favorite preschool topic!

Time for the ABCs

According to research, Letter Knowledge is one of the six important skills that every child needs in order to become a successful reader. Letter knowledge includes learning that letters have names and are different from each other, and that specific sounds go with specific letters.

To help your child with this skill, share books and music about the alphabet. Here are some staff favorites:

Alphabet Jam: Songs & Rhymes to Build Early Reading Skills! by Cathy Bollinger (2006).

This cd presents 36 songs for learning the alphabet as a sing-a-long activity for building reading skills. Title track "Alphabet Jam" kicks off the sing-along fun, followed by at least one catchy song per letter.

Flora McDonnell's ABC by Flora McDonnell (1997).

Flora McDonnell's ABC is a great book for introducing the alphabet with young children. Bright, striking colorful illustrations depict each letter of the alphabet in both upper and lower case. A large and small object or animal illustrates each letter.


SuperHero ABC by Bob McCleod (2006).

This picture book, receiving starred reviews, is perfect for the child who loves superheroes. From A to Z, superheroes practically leap off of the pages in heroic excitement. Check out this book and you'll meet AstroMan who is "Always Alert for An Alien Attack" and "Quiet Knight [who] Keeps Kindergarten Kids safe." This book begs to be read aloud in a booming "announcer" voice.

Alphabet Rescue by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Bruce Wood (2006).

While on vacation in Alphabet City, Little e and the other lowercase letters repair an old fire truck and come to the rescue when a fire engulfs the letter-making factory. Also try Alphabet Adventure and Alphabet Mystery by the same author.

To extend your alphabet fun, try creating different letters using playdough. Enjoy!