How long is this book when it's fully unfolded?

It's surprisingly long—over two meters (about 6.5 feet). You'll want to clear a path on the rug if you're planning to use the play scene side.

Are the flaps easy for small fingers to open?

Yes, they have small thumb-notches, but the first time you open them, they might be a bit stiff. It's worth doing a 'pre-opening' pass yourself before handing it to a two-year-old.

Is the story a continuous narrative?

Not really. It's a series of rhyming couplets introducing different characters for each letter. It works better as a 'point and find' book than a bedtime story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Can it stand up on its own?

Yes, if you fold it in a concertina/zig-zag shape, it stands up quite well on a flat surface, creating a sturdy little wall for play.

Alphabet Street – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Alphabet Street

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

93%

WISE Score

A house-shaped board book that unfolds into a literal street for toy cars and figurines once you are done reading about the baking bear.

Alphabet Street

book

2018

93%

WISE Score

A house-shaped board book that unfolds into a literal street for toy cars and figurines once you are done reading about the baking bear.

Jump to

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.

Screenwise Verdict

Most alphabet books are a repetitive slog of 'A is for Apple,' but this one treats the book as an architectural object. It is a house-shaped board book that unfolds into a massive play scene, making it as much a toy as it is a reading lesson.

If you have a kid who loves opening doors, hiding small objects, or building little towns on the rug, this is a top-tier pick. The art is sophisticated enough to live on a coffee table, and the fold-out functionality gives it a longer shelf life than your average board book.

Age Fit

Designed specifically for the 2-to-5 crowd. It is simple enough for a toddler to engage with the flaps, but the play scene keeps it relevant for preschoolers who are deep into world-building with their own toys.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a gentle, rhyming introduction to a neighborhood of animals. The tone is warm, neighborly, and entirely age-appropriate for toddlers.

Imaginative

The house-shaped design and the fact that it unfolds into a two-meter-long play scene encourages kids to use the book as a physical backdrop for their own toys.

Safe

100

It is a physical board book with no digital components, ads, or tracking. The content is benign and safe for the youngest readers.

Enriching

Beyond basic letter recognition, the lift-the-flap mechanics build fine motor skills and the detailed illustrations reward visual scanning and vocabulary building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Ingela P. Arrhenius's art is mid-century modern eye candy that parents will actually enjoy looking at for the 400th time.
The fold-out play scene on the reverse side turns the book into a physical 3D backdrop for imaginative play with LEGO or Calico Critters.
Lift-the-flap mechanics are used cleverly to reveal small narrative details about the animal neighbors, not just hidden letters.
The rhyming text by Jonathan Emmett is bouncy and rhythmically solid, making it a low-friction read-aloud.

⚠

What to Watch For

The flaps are cardstock, not indestructible plastic. A determined two-year-old can and will rip a door off its hinges if left unsupervised.
It is a giant accordion when fully unfolded. You will need about six feet of clear floor space to use the play scene side properly.

Conversation Starters

"Which animal neighbor would you want to visit first if we lived on this street?"
"Can you find the letter that starts your name hidden behind one of the doors?"
"What do you think the bear is baking in his kitchen today?"
"If we built a house for our toys, what color would the front door be?"

Deep Dive

The Book as an Object

Alphabet Street belongs to a specific sub-genre of 'book-plus' media where the physical construction is the main event. While the rhyming text is perfectly serviceable, the real draw is the collaboration between Jonathan Emmett and illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius. Arrhenius is known for her bold, retro-inspired aesthetic, and she fills every window and storefront with character.

Durability Realities

Because this is a lift-the-flap book that also functions as a toy, it takes a beating. The hinges on the flaps are the primary point of failure. If you're buying this for a child who is still in the 'rip everything' phase, you might want to save the play-scene unfolding for supervised time. However, even if a flap or two goes missing, the play value of the standing 'street' remains high. It's a great example of how print media can compete with digital toys by offering a tactile, spatial experience that a tablet can't replicate.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Alphabet Street? Put this WISE score on your site

Alphabet Street

Alphabet Street

Where to Read

Age Fit

Why It Might Be Great

What to Watch For

Conversation Starters

Deep Dive

The Book as an Object

More Than a Reading Session

Durability Realities

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything