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PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLYFISHES by Brian P. Cleary

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLYFISHES

A Very Silly Alphabet Book

by Brian P. Cleary & illustrated by Betsy E. Snyder

Pub Date: April 1st, 2007
ISBN: 0-8225-6188-3
Publisher: Millbrook

Billing itself as “very silly” isn’t an exaggeration for this zany alphabet book as it pairs letters with corresponding offbeat combinations like Elvis with evergreens and newts with necklaces. Written in a rhythmic rhyme that conjures the verse of Edward Lear, this text reads like a tongue twister and would work best aloud, except when transitioning from the letter G to H, where the rhyme breaks down completely, potentially leaving even an experienced reader tongue-tied. Bright, digital collage illustrations, which experiment with textual patterns and bold colors, can be seen from a distance and sync up well with the text. A short introduction invites readers to pick out slightly hidden elements that reflect the corresponding letter on each page. Busy endpapers provide answers for this challenge, potentially building vocabulary and reinforcing letters. Playful and fun. (Picture book. 4-6)