Review by Deborah K Frontiera
A Is for Agates is a great alphabet book that, literally, has it all—for the child being read to and the adult reading it to a child, or children. Words roll easily out when reading it aloud—rhymes and rhythm flow without any tongue tripping. So it’s a joy to read out loud, and a joy to hear. Young children love rhyme and rhythm—which helps them memorize words and phrases. I can still recite from memory most of AA Milne’s poems read to me as a child, and I’m in my mid-70s now. I can also recite what I read to my own children years ago and to hundreds of kindergarten children over the course of my teaching career, as well as to my grandchildren, who are now past the picture book stage. Would you like to hear “Christopher Robin had sneezels and wheezels, they bundled him into his bed …” or “I do not like Green Eggs and Ham, I do not like them Sam I am”?
The text also employs plenty of learning. Science with plants and animals and the use of terms like “estuary”. The weather on the lake includes wind, waves, fog, and all four seasons. Geography with the map of Lake Superior—the wolf’s head facing west, plus including Canadian places and scenes. Lake Superior is more than the United States side. History with V for voyageurs, and the French spelling to boot. And, of course, letters and sounds. The letter x is always hard, because so few words actually have the “ks” sound at the beginning. Most alphabet books, including this, go with “x” in an “ex” word.
The illustrations are particularly artistic! Sweeping panoramas and close-ups with intricate details, accurate in every way already mentioned. Fog and spiderwebs, a mouse with a leaf umbrella in a rainstorm, a bald eagle flying in the background, a reflection of waves and shore on the hull of a boat. Aurora Borealis in the night sky. In each illustration, there are details to catch a child’s eye, spark a question, and add to the learning. In a picture book, words and illustrations work together to build meaning for a child. Adults will enjoy the art for its own sake.
Even the layout of A Is for Agates was designed with care. Single pages for each letter at the beginning, but wonderful double spreads in the center with M and N, and again with Y and Z for a dramatic conclusion. It’s a book that makes me (almost) wish I were still teaching or had grandchildren in the picture book stage so I could read A Is for Agates to them. AND picture books aren’t just for young children! Don’t miss this one.
A Is for Agate by Patti Baraks, illustrated by Lisa Perrin-Kosmo
ISBN 978-1-643345-04-6, Ret. $21.95 hardcover
