C D B !

By William Steig

Copyright 1968

William Steig, author of many children’s books, including  Abel’s Island, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Brave Irene, and Shrek, was years ahead of his time.  He was writing in text-speak way before cell phones existed.  His play with letters and sound in C D B requires a little creative thinking, but it is well worth the effort to figure out.  It is just like trying to decipher some of those vanity license plates.  The entire book consists of a collection of pictures with captions written in code.

D N S 5 X

This doesn’t make sense until you read the names of the letters and number out loud.  If you still have trouble, just look at the drawing.  Then you’ll see it is actually a full sentence:  The hen has five eggs.

This is an X-L-N book for readers of all ages who enjoy a little challenge.   

S E-Z 4 U, S?

This is D N of this post.  N Q for reading it.