The cheeky toddler alphabet by Davina Bell. Illus. by Jennifer Falkner

Pairs of lines are devoted to each page as rhyming words are used to depict each letter of the alphabet. Some words are predictable, but others surprise as the pages are turned. Smaller children will love all the words and predict the rhyming word, encouraged to say them out loud, practising the new words and the ways they are used. Starting with A and showing a child belly surfing on her mother’s legs, it introduces the exuberant child as she dances, runs, plays, giggles, and draws her way through the book. Alliteration is front and forward as J is for joyfully jumping in puddles, and N is for night-night and nursery rhymes, P is for pasta and please, then picnics with peaches and plums in a pie, as well as a poke in the eye. Some very surprising things are attached to each letter and will give children the idea of adding their own words and talking about the things they love.

Each page reflects not only the letter and a group of words, but reinforces the value of a warm, loving family surrounding the child. Even if the child is doing something the parents do not like, the warmth of the family is still apparent. The vibrant illustrations cover every page, drawing the readers’ eyes into the page, checking out the detail, looking at how the families live and what is in their houses. The family is shown in a variety of situations: having a meal together where the young girl tries out some new words (W) she has heard, mum absolutely tired out watching her child throw tantrums (T) and then having a lovely time together jumping in puddles with their umbrellas (U).

All good fun, the illustrations and text will result in laughter from the reader and the audience as they laugh at the family shown, recognising situations which have occurred in their own family.

Themes: Alphabet, Family, Humour.

Fran Knight