Gyo Fujikawa’s A to Z Picture Book

Copyright 1974

 

This is a book to read slowly, and over and over again.  It’s just an A to Z alphabet book – but the illustrations by Gyo Fujikawa elevate it to a higher level. 

Some pages are color, others black and white, and all are filled with drawings of objects and actions beginning with each letter of the alphabet.  Not only are the children pictured of many nationalities, but some of the words are more culturally diverse than the usual Alphabet book.  Children can learn beginning letter sounds here, but they can also learn rich vocabulary.  Here are some of the less typical words and phrases in this book – black eye, Joshua tree, Kenny is kowtowing, moo goo gai pan, queue, vaccination, valise, and even zombie. 

 

My favorite two-page spread reads, “D is for dreams, all kinds of dreams, dangerous…and delicious ones…dreadful…delightful…and disgusting ones!”

It’s the little details that make this book so enticing and one that you can return to again and again!