WONDERFUL WORLD ABC

Learn about various animals and natural features that are part of our “wonderful world.”

Structured to follow the traditional “Aa” is for “acorn” pattern, this spiffy board book takes a trip around the natural world, from ABC favorites such as “butterfly” and “fish” to the lesser-seen “volcano” and then all the way out of our “universe.” Although the theme is overwhelming in its scope (the world after all, is a pretty big place), Hopgood does a commendable job of choosing engaging images. His most effective pages are sweeping landscapes, especially a red-tinged “desert” complete with towering saguaro cacti, an isolated “island” teeming with plants and animals, and a lush double-page “jungle” spread. That’s not to say the pictures of animals aren’t strong—there’s a definite Eric Carle vibe, particularly on the “polar bear”—but it’s illustrations such as an oversized splotchy “moon” with pines standing majestically beneath that truly capture the eye. While the renderings vary in artistic style from letter to letter, Hopgood doesn’t shy away from dramatic, intense colors and lots of stark contrast in his speckled and richly textured illustrations. A functional mirror on letter Y is a highlight, allowing little ones to gaze in at “you.” Occasional pages that contain two letters feel crammed—what could that stylized, graphic “rainbow” have looked like with more space? One human appears, a pale-skinned child admiring the “clouds.”

An elegantly executed abecedary.