Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson (All Ages)

Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson (All Ages)

Johnson, Stephen. (1995). Alphabet City. New York: Penguin Group.

Genre: Picture Book

Lexile: Picture Book

Alphabet City is a picture book of letters that are found throughout the city. The author uses cityscapes to and finds letters within the sites. All of the letters are found in an urban setting from: doors, lights, seasons, or other urban items. For example the letter a train yard holds the letter O on one of the trains wheels. All of the pictures are paintings done by Stephen Johnson.

Picture books allow for children to write their own stories. Alphabet books help identify familiar objects to letters and sounds. The alphabet books helps students identify letters in other objects- because other things are surrounding the letter in these pictures it improves children’s observation skills. This book is a alphabet book but because of all the detail is appropriate for older children as well as young children. Stephen Johnson’s book allows for comparisons to be made with letters. Some of the letters are easy to find and others may take time and careful observation.

Shape is a way to convey meaning as well. The book reflects shapes of various letters and is another way to emphasize the mood of a book. The city scene is the mood set by these letters and is apparent in the paintings of the book.

This book plays a role in cognitive development of children through observing. Colorful books are great tools for developing observational skills. Since this book is full of images it can be a tool for older children to practice their observing as well as younger students.

Mini Lesson- This could be used as a start to creating a students own alphabet book. For older children choosing a page and writing about their observations would be a way to start thinking of descriptive words.

Enjoyment- This book is enjoyable for all types and ages of readers because of the detailing in the pictures.