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A Is for ART (by Stephen T. Johnson)

common sense media says

Abstract art + alphabetic alliteration = amazing ABC book.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this isn't their ordinary alphabet book. Sophisticated readers, as well as the youngest, will find something of interest here, and nothing inappropriate.

Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on A Is for ART

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how each illustration is a piece of art, and each list of words is poetic and playful. What do you like about each painting, collage, or sculpture? What does it say about the letter it represents? Can you find the letter in the artwork? What about the words? How do they sound alike, and what do they mean? How do you think the author/illustrator got the idea to make this book? How is this different from any other alphabet book you have read? How is it the same?

What's the story?

What's the story?
From A to Z, each page presents an imaginative and original work of abstract art, either a sculpture, painting, and collage, as well as a list of witty, and sometimes challenging, alliterative words to demonstrate the sound.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

If you're looking for a simple ABC book for a young reader, this may not be the right choice for you. But, if you want something original and different, a more sophisticated, avant-garde ABC book with amazing artwork, clever text, and language that will sweeten even a wordsmith's vocabulary, look no further. A IS FOR ART delivers what it promises: an abstract look at the alphabet, and it's for everyone.

Award winning author/illustrator Stephen T. Johnson is on an artistic quest. Of course, he wants kids to know the alphabet and learn to love language but, more importantly, he wants them to think about and question art. As he says in his notes, his "literal abstractions" are an attempt to transform ideas into the visual, and to inspire the imaginations of all his readers to do the same.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Stephen T. Johnson
Illustrator: Stephen T. Johnson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: September 9, 2009
Number of pages: 40
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 5
Read Alone: 7
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Kathysara
parent of 5 year old
3
 
Not your typical alphabet book
My son loves the alphabet so I picked this up after seeing it reviewed in the New York Times. If you want to introduce your child to the alphabet and the concept of abstract art, then this is the book for you. The artwork is interesting and although the language is definitely above the toddler level, it's great for those of us reading the book to our kids.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (2)
mic0195
parent of 26 year old
11
 
the7 yearold club
ok this is a book about 7 yearolds.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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