100 Best Alphabet Books of All Time
We've researched and ranked the best alphabet books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more
A told B,
and B told C,
"I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree."
So begins the lively alphabet rhyme that children and their parents love to recite. Martin and Archambault's rhythmic chant and Caldecott Honor artist Lois Ehlert's bold, cheerful art make this rollicking story an ideal companion to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. less
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If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters.
The most inventive and irresistible book of the year spans a mere 26 letters (don't they all!) and 112 pages. From an Astronaut who's afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and... more
The urban landscape will never look the same again. As Stephen T. Johnson demonstrates in a series of strikingly realistic pastels and watercolors, a simple sawhorse can contain the letter "A"--while lampposts alongside a highway can form a row of elegant, soaring Ys. A 1996 Caldecott Honor book, this sophisticated, wordless alphabet book is sure to appeal to young and old alike. less
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
It's sleepy time in Alphabet Town. But the twenty-six little letters of the alphabet all have something they need--or want--to do before BIG-letter moms and dads tuck them in. Not since the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom has there been such an appealing way to teach the youngest child the ABCs while providing a one-minute goodnight story. Of course, Melissa Sweet's animated watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations may beg for a little more time to match up all the toys... more
It starts with an ALLIGATOR and a BEAR chasing a CAT. When a DRAGON (and a chicken and an egg!) join in pursuit, things start to get REALLY interesting. A wild and wacky chase through snow and ice, and to jungles and over mountaintops, leads the whole crew to a wonderful realization: They're better off as friends.
From New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Honor recipient Patrick McDonnell comes an exciting new take on the... more
June Sobel's hilarious text and Henry Cole's adventurous animal pirates harmonize in an irresistible book for alphabet-learning, pirate-loving kids everywhere.
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A is for Always, that's where we embark . . .Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam.
Will they find the treasure? Will they make it out alive?
The Dangerous Alphabet is a tale of adventure, piracy, danger, and heroism told in twenty-six alphabetical lines—although even the alphabet is not to be relied upon here. A delightfully dangerous journey from national bestselling author Neil Gaiman and the... more
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Mouse airbrushes the A,
buttons the B,
carves the C . . .
Mouse is hard at work constructing each letter of the alphabet. He dyes the D, erases the E, and folds the F. Mouse works his way right through to Z, constructing an alphabet that surpasses even the wildest artistic imagination.
A bright, beautiful concept book from best selling picture book Denise Fleming. less
This whimsical, funky book from Raj Haldar (aka rapper Lushlife) turns the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head, poking fun at the most mischievous words in the English language and demonstrating how to pronounce them. Fun and informative for word nerds of all ages! less
Here is a world of wonders, from A to Z. Inspired by seventeenth-century French trade engravings, Anita Lobel's brilliant paintings of the shopkeepers on Market Street—each composed of his or her wares—will provide blissful hours for all who join the Lobels on an unforgettable shopping spree. "In a delightful and unusual book, a boy trots down Market Street buying... more
Apples! Berries! Cereal! Is there anything this Busy Creature can't crunch?
Mo Willems tells an alphabetical tale of hunger, hubris, regret, and redemption as a Busy Creature hilariously chomps and chews its way from A to P and then to Z less
the wind, find strength in banding together to form words. Then a clever
caterpillar teaches the letters to become even stronger by forming sentences
with a message of peace in a gentle parable about the power of the written word. less
All the little letters from Charley's Alphabet have learned their proper order, from a to z. They're ready to go to school, but suddenly something is wrong! Little i has lost her dot, and none of the letters can find it. Can you?
Children, parents, and teachers will have a great time finding and identifying the "little" letters on every page -- and when the little letters meet up with a party of "big" letters, the entire alphabet, large and small, can be found in one exuberant scene. From games of hide-and-seek to a... more
"Multifaceted and appealing, this book can be enjoyed in many ways, at home and at school." more
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
With ten wide tires, one really big appetite, and an even bigger smell, this truck's got it all. His job? Eating your garbage and loving every stinky second of it!
And you thought nighttime was just for sleeping. less
From ant to butterfly to caterpillar . . . to zebra and then back again, Animalphabet is an entertaining puzzle as well as a gorgeous alphabet book to treasure.
Who can slither better than a rabbit? A snake! Who can growl better than a snake? A tiger! There are clever hints and peekaboo holes within the artwork that will amaze and delight young children as they learn to use the alphabet. This is a preschool must-have. less
Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you’d never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers.
Sara O’Leary pulls back the curtain on the animal world and gives us an absolutely charming little one-line “fact” about one animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably rendered creatures, and perhaps will be comforted to know... more
Instagram superstar Eva Chen, author of Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes, is back with an alphabet board book depicting feminist icons in A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World, featuring spirited illustrations by Derek Desierto. less
Kyle HarrisonDuring my 24 hour trip to LA I picked up this great book for Brooke! Strongly recommend! https://t.co/87O60N1OKL (Source)
nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages,
and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages. less
APPLE PIE ABC is a delicious twist on traditional verse brought to life by Alison Murray's simple words and whimsical illustrations. Sure to delight readers of all ages, it's a book to savor again and again. less
Suddenly "awake" in the middle of winter, a "big bear" explores a "cozy cabin," which Bear of course "enters excitedly." But the cabin isn't empty--a little girl lives there. So begins an unlikely friendship and an unexpected adventure as the girl attempts to figure out what a bear is supposed to be doing in the winter. (Hint: It's not eating pancakes or visiting the library!)
With her... more
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Jerry Pallotta's lighthearted text and Ralph Masiello's vivid illustrations make this alphabetic exploration of small animal life both fun and informative. less
The peas have rolled through the uppercase letters, numbers, colors, and the months of the year. Now they’re back with all of their signature jaunty and joyful perfect-for-preschoolers energy in this sequel to LMNO Peas. Like the first book, this one is filled with unique jobs, activities, roles, and hobbies. But this time the peas are bouncing through the lowercase alphabet! With an exuberant rhyming text and playful pea-packed illustrations, learning the... more
A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight... more
Yuyi Morales takes us on a new journey with Señor Calvera, the skeleton from Day of the Dead celebrations. Señor Calvera is worried. He can’t figure out what to give Grandma Beetle for her birthday. Misunderstanding the advice of Zelmiro the Ghost, Señor Calvera decides not to get her one gift, but instead one gift for every letter of the alphabet, just in case. Una Acordéon: An accordion for her to dance to. Bigotes: A mustache because she has none. Cosquillas: Tickles to make her laugh… only to find out at the end of the alphabet that the best gift... more
A is for Aerial lift.
B is for Backhoe.
C is for Cement Mixer.
Readers explore construction equipment in this noisy alphabet book. Jerry Pallotta's trademark humor punctuates the informative text. Vibrant oil paintings bring to life a busy construction site. less
Geographer and designer duo Benedikt Gross and Joey Lee have taken the alphabet to new heights—literally! Using satellite imagery and computer technology, the pair has discovered "accidental letters" all over the world: in roads, rivers, buildings, lakes, and more. Take a journey around the Earth in 26 letters with this special book. less
He ate on the crust
of the Apple pie.
He bothered the Baby
and made her cry.
Shoo fly!
Shoo fly!
Shooo.
Once upon a time there was no alphabet, only numbers
Life was fine. Orderly. Dull as gray paint. Very numberly. But our five jaunty heroes weren't willing to accept that this was all there could be. They knew there had to be more.
So they broke out hard hats and welders, hammers and glue guns, and they started knocking some numbers together. Removing a piece here. Adding a piece there. At first, it was awful. But the five kept at... more
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Silly and zany, and armed with the most unusual skills, the cast of superheroes that fill these pages will make learning ABCs an out-of-this-world experience.
Meet Bubble-Man, who blows big bubbles at bullies; Laughing Lass, who laughs loudly at lawbreakers; and many more hilarious and irresistible characters from renowned comic-book... more
Clickety-clack!
The cows on Farmer Brown's farm are typing again. Duck can't wait to show everyone their latest note. Just what are they up to this time? Duck's not telling, but if you follow the alphabet one letter at a time, you'll find out. And you'll have as much fun as the animals are going to have, and learn your letters, too!
This alphabetical adventure for the very youngest fans of Duck brings alphabet books to a whole new level -- click, clack, quackity-quack! less
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Numbers and letters, the colorful characters in this story, compete to be the stars of this book. Their debate escalates when funny animals and props arrive—starting with 1 alligator, 2 bears, and 3 cars. Who is this book really about?
In the end, the answer is clear. This fresh and funny picture book plays with both numbers and letters in the most imaginative way. less
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
"Brilliant . . . Hauntingly luminous."--The New... more
With a story that makes reading fun—and will even help listeners learn to read—this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift for that beginning reader. Fresh, charming art by Tad Hills, the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of Duck & Goose, will make this a... more
EARLY LEARNING NECESSITY: Studying with flash cards increases concentration and improves recall. Flash cards are a tried and true way to study successfully. These are a great addition to workbooks, worksheets and study lessons.
HOMESCHOOL HELPER: Use these in a kindergarten classroom or at home. Regardless of your homeschool curriculum, alphabet words flash... more
Alphabet
In 12 playful books, familiar animal friends introduce the 26 letters of the alphabet. Engaging, read-aloud stories captivate your child, while proven teaching principles support learning.
Introduces uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Uses consistent intial sounds in well-known words to introduce each letter.
Presents simple, humorous stories that combine the featured letter sounds and wors with hilarious pictures.
Challenges kids to find other objects with featured sound in the pictures.
The Parent Guide offers easy... more
Engaging alphabet books are perennial bestsellers with unlimited demand, and so are books about fire trucks. This splendid book is a surefire winner! As in their previous collaborations, the Woods bring lowercase letters to life in a fun adventure that is sure to have children learning their alphabet without even realizing they are studying. In this action-packed adventure, we witness the lowercase... more
With bold colors and her unique handmade paper art, Denise Fleming makes learning into a game. Long-time fans and sharp-eyed newcomers will be happy to see that Mouse returns on every page, shouting along with the crowd! less
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Little ones can count along with Mother Rabbit through her rambling house and garden as she tucks in a whole alphabet of baby bunnies, from Abel through Zed. This cozy bedtime book has the comforting familiarity of a lullaby combined with the basic concepts toddlers enjoy exploring.
Rick Walton and Paige Miglio’s sweet tale has charmed readers throughout the years. This board book edition is perfect for small hands. less
Step 1: Master the writing of the alphabet beginning with tracing lines and curves
Step 2: Writing sight words
Step 3: Progress to successfully writing simple sentences
Your child will learn to practice holding a pencil or crayon correctly while tracing each letter of the alphabet.... more
In this wonderfully creative alphabet book, letters are pulled, twisted, reversed, and curled until they become part of what they represent. F becomes a fish, and Y becomes a yak!
Young readers will be fascinated with the way the letters evolve into the final creation. They'll never look at the alphabet the same way again. less
Harold is going on an alphabet adventure from A to Z with his trusty purple crayon! This imaginative classic story is just right for little ones learning their ABCs.
“A unique kind of ABC book.” (The Horn Book) less
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Inside this spine-chilling coloring book, you'll discover 23 of the world's most notorious serial killers, depicted with stunning and detailed illustrations for you to color. You'll find:
Ted Bundy
Ed Gein
Pablo Escobar
Charles... more
In his first picture book, graphic artist Paul Thurlby presents a stunning alphabet that helps to make the shape of each letter memorable. From an awesome A to a zippy Z, this is the perfect ABC book for the young and hip. less
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland) is an 1865 novel written by English mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. It tells of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures. The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity... more
Foti PanagioAs for a non-business book, it’s got to be Alice in Wonderland by C. S. Lewis. It’s an unrivalled work of imagination and shows what it looks like to “think outside the box”. Sometimes I like to flick through a copy and look at the illustrations if I’m stuck on a problem and need some inspiration. (Source)
Luckily, Albert is one clever carpenter. He not only finishes on time, he builds what could be the most ingenious alphabet ever! less
Discover hundreds of animals, great and small. Lion and lizard, whale and wombat. Learn one wild fact about each animal. (Did you know that gorillas yawn when they are nervous?) Look carefully, because for each letter of the alphabet, one animal is pictured eight times. Why 8? Come inside and find out. less
It's time for jammies, blankies, and snuggles with a cozy bedtime story.
Your little one will love to go on an adventure night after night and see something new each time in this adorable, colorful storybook.
Little baby zoo animals ready for bed make their way to dreamland, but not before they go on an adorable, colorful pajama parade.
It's time for bed... Hip hip hooray! Let's all give a cheer! The day is through. We've had such fun. Now sleepy time draws near. Before you drift away to dream, let's check in at the... more
This unique alphabet book features four works of art from different cultures and periods for each letter of the alphabet. Simple words matched with intriguing illustrations provide an opportunity for endless exploration. Children will be fascinated to discover that a boat, a rose, a tree, and even a window can be so different from one another -- and from the objects they see every day. Adults will love the visual and cultural richness of this alphabetical tour through the Metropolitan... more
that rings loud and clear.
B is for Boots
stowed in our bunker gear.
From A to Z, volunteer firefighter and fine artist Chris Demarest presents a day-in-the-life of firefighters whose job it is to answer the call to put out fires and save property and lives.
In a simple, informative text and with glowing realistic illustrations that thoroughly envelop the reader, the danger of fire and the courageous job firefighters do every day are brought to life for readers everywhere. less
An Amazing ABC Safari for Preschoolers!
In Matthew Van Fleet's incredible multiconcept book, over 100 creatures and plants from A to Z hilariously demonstrate action words, synonyms, opposites, and more. Young explorers are challenged to spot four plants or animals that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Twenty-three textures plus foils, flaps, pull tabs, and even a scratch-and-sniff scent add to the interactive surprises on every page. Also includes a removable full-color... more
Don't have time to read the top Alphabet books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.