Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is alphabet-book-as-art-project, and it's genuinely cool. Van Allsburg (of Jumanji and Polar Express fame) brings his signature mysterious, slightly dark aesthetic to the ABCs, turning each letter into a character in a theatrical production meeting an alliterative fate.

The illustrations alone are worth the price of admission—dramatic lighting, careful composition, and a film noir vibe that makes this feel more like a gallery exhibition than a preschool lesson. Kids who've outgrown simple ABC books but still enjoy wordplay and visual puzzles will eat this up.

That said, it's definitely not for every kid. The tone is sophisticated and slightly ominous, which might confuse toddlers expecting bright colors and friendly animals. And while the alliteration is clever, it's more about aesthetic experience than phonics instruction. Think of it as the alphabet book you pull out when you want to show kids that books can be art, not just the one you use for daily letter practice.

At nearly 40 years old, it holds up remarkably well—black-and-white illustrations are timeless in a way that 80s color palettes are not. A solid choice for families who appreciate Van Allsburg's particular brand of sophisticated children's literature.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-9, especially kids who've moved beyond basic alphabet recognition and can appreciate sophisticated wordplay and artistic illustration. The theatrical concept and Van Allsburg's moody aesthetic will resonate most with early elementary readers who like a touch of mystery.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Van Allsburg's signature dark humor and dramatic staging create a sophisticated, slightly mysterious tone that's never mean-spirited or scary. Each letter meets its fate in a theatrical way (A is avalanched, B is badly bitten, Z is zapped), but it's all stylized wordplay rather than genuinely upsetting content. The black-and-white illustrations give it an elegant, almost noir aesthetic that feels more clever than chaotic.

Imaginative

88

This is alphabet theater at its finest—each letter gets its own 'act' with a dramatic transformation that plays on alliteration and visual wit. The theatrical framing (it's literally presented as 'A Play in Twenty-Six Acts') invites kids to think about letters as characters with stories. Van Allsburg's meticulous illustrations reward close looking, and the format naturally sparks kids to invent their own letter dramas or alternative alphabets.

Safe

92

This is a picture book with zero concerning content. The 'violence' is entirely abstract and playful—letters experiencing alliterative mishaps in stylized black-and-white drawings. Nothing gory, scary, or inappropriate. The only slight consideration is that very sensitive preschoolers might find some images (like B being 'badly bitten') momentarily startling, but it's presented with such theatrical distance that it reads as clever rather than threatening.

Enriching

79

Strong vocabulary builder through alliteration and sophisticated word choices (avalanched, crushed, deflated). The theatrical framing introduces kids to performance concepts and stage vocabulary. The alphabet structure makes it useful for early literacy, though it's more art piece than instructional tool. Van Allsburg's illustrations teach visual literacy and encourage close observation. However, it's more about aesthetic appreciation and wordplay than deep cognitive or emotional growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Chris Van Allsburg's meticulous illustrations turn the alphabet into high art—each page is a mini masterpiece of light, shadow, and composition
Brilliant alliteration and vocabulary building (avalanched, deflated, engulfed) that makes letter sounds memorable through wordplay
The theatrical framing ('A Play in Twenty-Six Acts') gives kids a sophisticated way to think about storytelling and performance
Dark humor and mysterious tone set it apart from typical cheerful alphabet books—this one has actual atmosphere
Invites creative imitation: kids love making their own alphabet dramas after reading

⚠

What to Watch For

This is not your typical bright, bouncy ABC book—the tone is dramatic and slightly ominous, which some very young kids might find confusing or unsettling
More of an art experience than a teaching tool; don't expect it to replace phonics instruction
Published in 1987, so a few references (like 'N was nailed' showing a letter being hammered) might feel dated in execution

Conversation Starters

"Which letter had the most dramatic thing happen to it? What would you do for that letter's act?"
"If we made our own alphabet play, what would happen to the first letter of your name?"
"Why do you think the artist used only black and white instead of colors?"
"Can you find all the little details in each picture that show what's about to happen to the letter?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about The Z Was Zapped? Put this WISE score on your site