Grade: 2

This picture book is a lively vocabulary stretcher. Van Allsburg presents the alphabet as a 26-act play. Each letter is one act, one image: “Act 1: The A was in an avalanche.” “Act II: The B was badly bitten.” First you see the image and then you turn the page to read the clever twist on each black-and-white letter.

“There’s a lemur in my lunch box
My banana’s just a peel,
And my candy bar’s a wrapper
This is not a happy meal.”

Fish tanks in classrooms and a hamster or two aren’t unusual. But when Miss Darling’s students ask for a pet, they get one, in poetry form, for every letter in the alphabet.

The story of a moose who was too hospitable for his own good is told in verses which march in double-quick time. The pictures are scenes of happy confusion.

Sarah’s Russian grandmother, Catherine, immigrated to America a long time ago with two suitcases and not a word of English. When she insists on no gifts for her next birthday, her guests begin planning the perfect “no presents” to give “Catherine the Great.” At the party, one guest performs a song, another does a dance, and still another styles her hair. But Sarah gives her a “no gift” from the heart when she offers to teach her English.

This alphabet book stretches readers’ imaginations as they think ahead to complete the sentences. “A is for seed — tomorrow’s APPLE. B is for eggs — tomorrow’s BIRDS.” The challenge will keep students thinking and the possibilities will keep them talking. For another variation of alphabet puzzles, read A Is for Salad by Mike Lester (Puffin, 2000).

Toot and Puddle, two pigs, are best friends with different interests. When Toot sets off to see the world, Puddle prefers to stay home. Through the postcards Toot sends from Egypt, Spain, Antarctica, and other faraway places, Puddle learns about his friend’s travels. But Puddle has his own fun at home — ice skating, making maple syrup, and swimming in the pond. When Toot decides to return home, the friends celebrate being together again.

Late one night, Rosalinda wakes to see her lovingly cared for lemon tree being robbed of all its fruit. The next day she sees the thief with his family — selling her limones! Then Rosalinda meets the spirit of La Anciana, The Old One, who makes things grow. She gives Rosalinda a remedy that will heal her lemon tree (and her bitter feelings). That night Rosalinda follows the spirit’s instructions and then slumbers under the lemon tree beneath a full yellow moon. When she awakes, the tree is full of fruit and her heart is full of compassion for the man who stole her lemons. This magical story gives practical messages about giving and forgiveness.

This book is packed with information about how common household items really work, but its real treasure is the imaginative explanations that the children in the story concoct before being told the truth.