The pleasures of learning one's ABCs

Alphabet books are a secret passion among book lovers. The sheer number of ABC books published demonstrates that they hold a special place in the world of children's books. Entering the term on Amazon.com delivers 13,089 results (and that was a few days ago -- it's probably up to 14,000 by now). Almost any author you can name has done an ABC book, from Edward Lear to Maira Kalman, from Beatrix Potter to William Steig, from Edward Gorey to Chris Van Allsburg, from H.A. Rey to Mitsumasa Anno, from Jon Agee to -- drat, I can't find a Z! -- Jane Yolen.

By Sonja Bolle

October 19, 2008