Book Review: Dr. Seuss's ABC's by Dr. Seuss

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Creative alphabet book is just too much fun

Cons: Some harder/imaginary words, but it's minor

The Bottom Line: 

Crazy alphabet

Full of imagination

Book above the rest

Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz and Other Alphabet Fun

The name Dr. Seuss invokes quite a few things.  Fun stories, great illustrations, and full on creativity.  All of those are on display in Dr. Seuss's ABC.

For those who are tired of the typical A is for Apple alphabet book, this one will be a breath of fresh air.  Yes, it starts off fairly simple, but as you proceed through the book, things get more wild.  We go from Aunt Annie’s alligator in A to yawning yacks for Y with side trips through a lazy lion licking a lollipop and Vera Violent Vinn and her very awful violin playing along the way.

All the while, we’re dealing with a rhythm and a rhyme.  That just shows off Dr. Seuss’ creativity and gifts as a wordsmith.

Another plus to this book is that is makes a point of showing both the upper case and lower case letters most of the time so that kids learning their letters will begin to learn what both versions looks like.

For illustrations, we get Dr. Seuss’ trademark pictures.  They are definitely stylized with some people and some animals substituting for humans.  For example, it’s one of his not quite distinguishable dog like animals that is standing in the pail as pop for P.  Meanwhile, L’s left leg and the girl in Y are both human.

My only complaint with this book is its classification.  It claims to be a Beginner Book.  And yes, Dr. Seuss was famous for some great beginner books.  But this book also features some of his made up words, like Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz for Z.  (Why he didn’t stick with zebra is beyond me.)  There are words here that kids will stumble over and need adult help sounding out if they can figure them out at all.

Mind you, I’m not saying that’s a flaw with the book.  Adults should have no problem reading it aloud to kids, and both will have a blast with the creative things included here.  I just think it should be classified as a pure picture book.

Even if you already have several alphabet books, you need Dr. Seuss's ABC.  You and your kids will both love it.  Just be careful about letting early readers tackle this one alone.