Alligator, Bear, Crab

Alligator, Bear, Crab: A Baby’s ABC is a book for babies and toddlers alike that introduces the shapes and sounds of the alphabet with a colourful collection of critters. Lesley Wynne Pechter uses a soothing palette of creamy pastels and bright colours to attract youngsters to her friendly looking characters. Although it’s larger and thicker than the other books reviewed here, it’s still perfectly sized for a child’s small hands. The critters are from land and sea and although many animals are Canadian, she has not excluded the iguana, koala and zebra — who join the orca, quail, urchin, vole and others to create a more unique menagerie for her ABC book. The animals all have a playful appeal to them — enticing little ones to keep turning those pages to discover what’s next. I especially liked her choice for the letter Y, as she chose the word YOU and included a picture of a baby. It’s a nice touch, as little ones always like to be included in a book. I have always had an inclination towards ABC books and this one is no exception. I love the warm colours and sweet critters that decorated the pages and would certainly include it in a gift for a newborn or toddler’s birthday.