From Albatross to Zoo: An Alphabet Book in Five Languages - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- The names of animals and related places (zoos, nests, etc.) are listed alphabetically in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian; five words, usually beginning with the same letter, appear with each creature or place. The concept is intriguing, but imperfect. While ``J'' for jaguar is carried through in four languages, it begins with a ``g'' in Italian. Likewise, ``W'' for wombat translates to vombato in Italian, and ``X'' has no words at all, but displays little frogs with x-shaped feet. Even though these discrepancies are explained in a note that appears before the title page, they could be confusing for small fry just learning the alphabet. However, this work has use as a pattern book for older foreign language students, who may be inspired to try out the concept themselves. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations show animals sprawling across the pages; the cartoon style is reminiscent of Chris Demarest's and has a similar frantic charm, but at times the pictures are just too cluttered. The text, which flows around the illustrated forms, is not always easy to read. However, children will follow with alacrity the adventures of the hapless bird who tries to fly from one end of the book to the other. A slightly better designed book, athough in only four languages, is Ruth Brown's Alphabet Times Four (Dutton, 1991). --Ann Welton, Thomas Academy, Kent, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.