ABC ALPHABET BAKERY

A simple picture book that introduces young children to the ABCs via names of foods, including several baked goods.

Author/illustrator Callahan presents the alphabet using small, cute, smiling characters (the titular Chibis) who represent food terms in capitalized and lowercase forms from A to Z. However, the author keeps things very basic and doesn’t make connections between foods; for example, E is for eggsand empanadasbut there’s no explanation that the eggs are used in empanada dough, nor does the book explain how iceand ice cream are related. However, this may provide opportunities for discussion between kids and caregivers. The letter X is represented by “xylocarp (coconut),” which is a bit of stretch; a footnote explains that it’s “a fruit with a hard outer shell.” The book’s overall concept is sound, and the use of foods from around the world, such as empanadas, key limes, and quince, is informative. The characters and illustrations are kid-friendly for emergent readers, as the characters wear costumes that represent the different foods; one wears a doughnut on its head, for instance. The letters on each page are surrounded by a heart, which makes for a visual that’s appealing.

A pleasant elementary alphabet book that allows for further conversation.