Parents' Guide to

A Is for ART

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Abstract art + alphabetic alliteration = amazing ABC book.

Book Stephen T. Johnson Alphabet 2009
A Is for ART Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Kathysara
Kathysara Parent of 3-year-old
July 8, 2009
age 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.

This title has:

Educational value
mic0195
mic0195 Parent of 24-year-old
April 19, 2009
age 11+

the7 yearold club

ok this is a book about 7 yearolds.
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

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 important, 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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 each 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?

Book Details

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