Just when I think I have seen and experienced the royal gamut of alphabet-concept picture books, along comes award-winning artist Sylvie Daigneault’s The Imaginary Alphabet to surprise- nay, amaze me! A phenomenally illustrated, gorgeously detailed work of art and text, The Imaginary Alphabet takes readers on a splendid adventure through the twenty-six letters of the modern English alphabet. Each letter detail spreads over two pages and contains: a uniquely illustrated capital block letter of focus (with items matching the letter included); an alliterative phrase featuring the letter; and last, but not absolutely not least, a pictorial spread bringing the alliterative phrase to life. As an example: for the letter M, readers see a capital block letter M filled with macaroni with the phrase “Majestic Macaws Making a Magnificent Mess” on the left page; the illustrative spread on the right starring beautifully bright-plumed macaws making a noisy mess with maracas, spilled muffins and melons, as monkeys roam above. For the letter V, readers see vines detailing the block letter V, with “Velvety Vampires Vanishing in Vapor” and fabulous accompanying art. Every letter, every page here in The Imaginary Alphabet is a pure delight, with multiple layers of discovery- and opportunities for learning. The magical combination of Daigneault’s highly-detailed pencil illustrations and alliterative text create something truly standout here. For readers on the lookout for a new alphabet book to try; or for those simply looking for some lush animal-centred illustrations (along the lines of the great Wallace Edwards) to pore over, The Imaginary Alphabet is highly recommended reading. Be sure not to miss Daigneault’s Preface, which includes some fascinating details about the plans and process of writing and illustrating The Imaginary Alphabet; as well as an alphabetical list (at the book’s end) of 300 “little gems” to search for throughout the book! Bonus: Teaching Guide available via Pajama Press’s website.

Now it is time for another happy surprise! Many readers will already be familiar with “I Spy” (the game as well as the hugely popular book series!)- but there is another fabulous entry joining the mix: award-winning, prolific British author-illustrator Ruth Brown’s picture book Eye Spy. Billed as an “interpretation of the enduring childhood game I Spy”, Brown’s Eye Spy takes the general concept of I Spy and fuses a fresh breathe of awe into it. As the story opens, readers are met with a close-up illustration of a wide-open eye and the following poetic text: “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with S/It comes up in the East, it goes down in the West./It fills our days with warmth and light./It rhymes with fun…”. Readers will then be encouraged to closely explore the colourful illustrated spread on the facing page, testing if they can unearth exactly what the story has asked them to locate. The answer, along with a precision illustration of the “something” in question (e.g. the sun), follows on the next page, and immediately leads to the next poetic item to spy. The pace of the lyrical text, as well as Brown’s marvellously naturalist illustrative spreads (which are trickier than you think!), lend Eye Spy to more leisurely enjoyment rather than a wild rush to find and complete. In a lovely turn upon the last “find”, Eye Spy closes with a sweet rhyme and wish for goodnight, making it a terrific choice for interactive (yet hopefully quieter!) bedtime reading. Readers who are already fans of search-and-find books, or those who enjoy exploring quietly sophisticated animal-themed picture books may especially enjoy this title. Eye Spy is altogether an elegant jewel of a picture book to try!

I received a copy of The Imaginary Alphabet courtesy of Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review. I received a copy of Eye Spy courtesy of Firefly Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.