Tt is for Tumbling. Julie Morstad. Vancouver, BC: Simply Read Books, 2014. 26 boxed cards, $15.95. ISBN 978-1-927018-44-6. Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 2-6. Review by Janice Foster. **** /4

excerpt:

Aa acrobat     Rr red hat     Ww waiting

Tt is for Tumbling, by award-winning illustrator and fine artist Julie Morstad, provides a captivating alternative to the typical ABC book. Morstad presents an attractive collection of 26 flashcards depicting novel subjects for each letter. Nouns such as “Aa acrobat”, adjectives such a “Nn new coat”, verbs such a “Tt tumbling” and adverbs such a “Ss slowly” provide an interesting representation of the alphabet.

     The inclusion of humour in the fine ink and watercolour drawings adds interest and whimsy to the illustrations. Some examples of this humour include a monkey strumming a “Bb banjo”, a giant bear and a little girl dancing a “Jj jig” and a boy riding a tortoise “Ss slowly”. The inclusion of nontraditional subjects for some letters, such as “Qq quetzal” and “Ww waiting”, as well as variations in representing some more traditional subjects, such as “Oo owl” with the owl standing on teacups or “Yy yarn” with two girls wrapped inside an unravelling ball of yarn, draws closer attention to each letter resulting in conversation possibly leading to other language activities.

      Morstad’s artistic approach to the alphabet, together with the sturdy card format that enables the child to hold a single card at a time, creates the opportunity for interaction and fun for both the child and the adult. The flashcard format lends itself to a potential card game, a display such as a frieze, or even placement on the fridge with magnets to represent a ‘letter’ of the day. The delicate line drawings with detailed simplicity blend art and alphabet into a special early childhood learning experience.

Highly Recommended.

Janice Foster is a retired teacher and teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

Next Review | Table of Contents For This Issue - March 13, 2015
CM Home | Back Issues | Search | CM Archive | Profiles Archive