Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z

Citation: Eating the Alphabet:  Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert, (Voyager Books, 1989). 34p. Alphabet Picture Book.

Summary: More than apples and zucchini.  Learn the alphabet from A to Z naming the various fruits and vegetables that begin with those letters.

Critique:

a.       Of course the regular fruits and vegetables come to mind when thinking of specific letters.  The entire alphabet is covered and is some food is unusual and surprising.

b.      A traditional alphabet book with a non-traditional twist.  Exploring the alphabet using depictions of fruits and vegetables is interesting enough to find the letter in each word while wondering what other foods are still to come.  While some examples are unfamiliar, every letter is represented with a traditional food name.

c.       Some foods are familiar and some are not.  Consider “C for corn, celery and currant” (p.6).  Imagine “K is for kiwifruit and Kohlrabi” (p.13). “X stands for Xigua” (p. 28).  I am intrigued and ready to try and eat the alphabet.

Curriculum Connection:  A wonderful addition to the library of alphabet books.  The familiar foods will allow children to make a connection with the letter.  Eating the Alphabet is a must have for all early childhood classrooms.