Why mix up the ABCs?
In the early reading years, letter identification is an essential skill. Teachers and parents of young readers need tools and resources that will keep the learning fun and playful, but provide the practice opportunities children need. The practice they receive reading this book is similar to using alphabet flash cards, but built into authentic literature immersed in the brilliant illustrations of Daniel Wlodarski.
Many children can be taught to sing the alphabet song confidently well before they can identify all 26 letters. Music, rhythm, and rhyme can serve as memory guides as children correlate the alphabet song to the written letters.
Interestingly, some of the letter names rhyme with each other. A, K, and J all have rhyming sounds. Likewise, E, D, G, P, Z, C, T, etc. also rhyme with each other. Because of the similarities in the sounds of the names of the letters, children who can rhyme will have an additional auditory cue when trying to remember the names of the letters as they sing the alphabet song, even if some rhyming letters are mixed up.
This book allows the reader to sing the alphabet song over and over again with some surprises along the way. This triggers smiles and giggles in children as they sing, “L M N O B” and other silly patterns. It also forces close reading for proper letter identification as the letters appear in unexpected places in the song. Watch and listen carefully as the children sing aloud--you might notice that it is a little harder than you expect! Because of this, the book provides good practice for children even up into second and third grades--especially those who had reduced time in the early grades due to the global pandemic.
By the end of the book, children will have had six opportunities to sing the alphabet song and practice saying the letters when they see them. The first and last time they sing, the letters are in correct alphabetical order to help reinforce the proper sequence.
Accompanying teacher materials and activities are available for classroom centers and for independent practice time.
This first book in the series features upper-case letters only. After this book launches, a subsequent book will be created featuring the lower case letters using the same auditory memory cues.
The author, Dr. Aaron Wills, has been working and playing in elementary education for over 25 years and currently designs learning experiences for children and teachers as an elementary school principal in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
Enjoy the book, and please share your feedback!
Click here to order the paperback, hardcover, or eBook.
Introductory Video for Teachers (2 min.)
Teacher Reviews from Amazon:
5 out of 5 stars Excellent for educators and music therapists!
Your students will love this book, and will ask to do it again and again! I am a music therapist servicing public schools, and my students adore this book. They find it engaging, silly and interactive. The book has repetition built right in to it, but by mixing up the letters, students are really forced to slow down and pay attention to the letters actually in the song. With companion activities, your student can make up their own alphabet, sing with a peer, and repeat the activity again and again. By building on a super familiar song, the authors have tapped into the power of song in a fun, easily accessible way! And don't worry, I promise your students/child won't care if you can sing on pitch...just sing!
5 out of 5 stars Kids of ALL ages will love this book!
I am an elementary school librarian and shared this book with my classes. It is geared toward the younger grades, and let me tell you...they LOVED reading the book together. They giggled while they were singing, and they would say, "no, no, no...that's not right" and then proceed to sing their ABC song the correct way multiple times while reading the book. I also shared the book with my older grades to ask them why they thought this book would be so popular with younger kids. Hearing their thoughts on patterns and having fun singing and the pictures that go along with the letters in the book became such teachable moments. I highly encourage any educator to purchase this book, but I also encourage anyone who has young people in their lives to purchase this book, as well. The illustrations are beautiful and the book is charming and fun. This is a best seller for sure!
5 out of 5 stars SOOO MUCH FUN!!!
I don't even know where to start to put into words how much fun this book is to read not only with kiddos but even as an adult. I find myself head bopping along with it. So creative and catchy while being an excellent aid for students. The illustrations are beautiful and bright. Definitely recommend this book to anyone that has kids in their life.
5 out of 5 stars This book is creative and cheerful
This book is so creative and cheerful to read/sing. As I was reading this book, it reminded me of my children learning the alphabets and singing it the exact same way the book was written with all the mixed up letters. What I love about this book, is that it was written the way one hears the sounds of a letter. It was interpreted without any judgements and allowed children to sing the alphabet their own way and that's it okay! Great book!
5 out of 5 stars What a fun, silly, and creative book on the ABC song
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a fun and silly spin on the ABC song. It’s a creative way to help children not only learn the ABC but show them it’s okay to be silly. I found it to be interactive as well as I sang every version provided. I like the repetition of the mixes. Great flow from beginning to end. And the illustrations are amazing! Great work!
5 out of 5 stars My students LOVED this book!
I read this book to my Kindergarten students and their smiles and laughter said it all! They loved reading this book together and singing all the mixed up alphabets! What a fun way to help students learn to recognize their letters!
5 out of 5 stars Such a fun idea!
My preschool class loves this book. It's such a cute and fun way to review letter recognition vs memorization of the song. I love the rhyming of the letters. This book shows that you don't always have to do thing in the common way, you can do it your own way! I recommend this book to all.
My Pre-kindergarten students laughed out loud and become more creative. They have been sharing their alphabet knowledge in other places now.
5 out of 5 stars Very creative!
This is such a fun book and the kids loved the different ways to say their ABC’s! I would definitely recommend this book!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Engaging!
I showed my class of five-year-old’s the pdf. version of the book and it was an instant hit! Those who are struggling with the alphabet felt confident and those who have a lot of experience with the alphabet were able to really enjoy manipulating the letters to work with the song. A big bonus for rhyming practice-finding letters that rhyme. Just downloaded the Kindle version and can’t wait for my hard copy to arrive!
Visit the Amazon page to read all the reviews!