Oh yes, Oliver Jeffers serves up a fine feast in this alphabet book of stories, each and every letter treated to a full short story featuring the quirk and dry humour he's renowned for.
With A, we meet an Astronaut. He's been training for ages to go and meet some aliens. But there's a problem. He has a fear of heights.
With C, we meet Cup. He lives in a cupboard. It's cold and dark and he wants out. So he leaves. With dire consequences.
With J we meet a jelly door. Jemma makes a jelly door for her house because if she forgets her keys, she can just reach inside and grab them.
I just love this book. I love its kookyness, its (very) short tales and of course its divine illustration, using Jeffersesque, trademark colour and style. Kids will also be entranced by the illustrations and kooky tales ... if they can wrestle it out of your hands.
The price of Once Upon an Alphabet may be higher than other picture books, but its 112 pages and large format make it well worth the cost of three regular picture books.
Whack it on your Santa list, pronto.
Title: Once Upon an Alphabet: Short stories for all the letters
Author/Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins, $53.99 RRP
Publication Date: 14 October 2014
Format: Hard cover with dust jacket
ISBN: 9780399167911
For ages: 6+
Type: Picture Book
