Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types

For the start of the year, the start of reading:

Alphabet animals of a different type.

Each traditional animal (alligator to zebra)

is made out of its starting letter.

Each is a different typeface.

From Giddyup to Extended Egyptian,

the writers explain and exploit the merits

of each, "A typeface is like a family."

The typeface idea makes for an oddly

sophisticated alphabet focusing on something 

readers usually overlook-the wonderfully

differing shapes of types 

"An E can be easygoing." 

"The uppercase Q is quietly sticking 

out its tongue."

While the pages have more words

and ideas than I usually think works

for most kids with autism, the pictures

are large and clear, the fish clearly a fish, 

the jumping kangaroo absolutely a kangaroo.

The additional pictures of additional alphabet

words are also clear and often funny.

The book promotes interactivity with large 

light liftable flaps much easier to use than 

the usual little sticky cardboard flaps. 

Kid reviews "I just like looking at the animals."

"I mean how the animals are created. Do they look funny?

I remember alligator, bat, camel, I think there was a dog . . .

maybe there was a lion in it. I remember an Xenops. I 

lifted the grass flap and I lifted the water flap and I don't 

know what else."

An Alphabeastie board book is also available if your kid

is still tearing things, and even Alphabeastie flash cards. 

Alphabeasties by Sharon Werner and Sharon Forss