From Maurice Sendak’s Nutshell Library comes this nontraditional alligator alphabet book. Although a bit dated [it was written in 1962], the nonsensical, alliterative book features a family of alligators doing all sorts of things that families might do together, with each activity matching a letter of the alphabet.

Today “Imitating Indians” or “Pushing People” readily fall into problematic areas [the former being objectifying, the latter being behaviorally disturbing]; nevertheless, it is impossible to deny the uniqueness of the muted illustrations and the consistent pattern [letter, verb, noun] of the narrative that, fifty-eight years after its writing, continues to focus on helping young readers understand the alphabet. And young children love the nonsensical qualities . . . “ordering oatmeal” often earns giggles and the “forever fooling” Dad giving the young alligator a piggy-back ride is downright adorable.

Although inquisitive alphabet-learning readers may not entertain elephants or keep kangaroos [other than the stuffed varieties] or ride reindeer [except, perhaps, on the carousel], they will readily connect with catching colds and getting giggles and never napping. For young readers, “Alligators All Around” with its identifiable family doing things together [and sometimes behaving badly] is immensely engaging. Quirky, clever, charming, and silly, it’s a perfect alphabet introduction for young children.

Highly recommended. ( )

«A Aquí tenéis Coca, Coco y Cocodrilín paseando en el jardín» ?Lluvia de cocodrilos? es un clásico de Maurice Sendak, de 1962, del que Gloria Fuertes hizo una divertida versión que llega hasta nuestros días con toda su gracia y frescura. Se trata de un divertido alfabeto protagonizado por una familia de cocodrilos que, a través de situaciones muy diversas, nos van descubriendo las letras. De paseo, disfrazados, cocinando o jugando, cada estrofa rimada comienza sucesivamente por la A, la B, la C? describiendo la escena representada en cada página.

A simple, cute alphabet book that seems to want to show the reader that, 'Alligators are just like us!'. The silliness of Sendak has timeless appeal for children and the children inside of the adults reading to children. 'Spoiled' children seem to be a theme with Sendak! ( )

This is an alphabet book that starts with "Alligators all around" for "A." The trio of alligators (presumably a family) then illustrate the remaining pages with alliterative actions for the rest of the letters (e.g., "bursting balloons," "catching colds," etc.). There's the politically incorrect "imitating Indians," but otherwise the book holds up fairly well despite its age. It probably wouldn't be my first go-to for an alphabet book, but it's a decent enough choice, especially for those who are fans of Sendak's style of humor and illustrations. ( )

introducing different letters in the alphabet, discuss fun different alligator activities/objects
1 book