7 Awesome Alphabet Books to Get Kids Excited about the ABCs

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room? All of the lowercase letters of the alphabet are scrambling to the top of the coconut tree one by one. But once little x, y, and z make it to the top, the weight proves too much, and the whole lot come tumbling down in this colorful, lively book. Kids and grownups alike will enjoy the delightful chant of the rollicking, rhyming text.

Dr. Seuss’s ABC, by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss has a creative and nonsensical alphabetical alliteration for every letter of the alphabet—from Aunt Annie’s alligator to a Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz. Kids will love the silly suggestions for each letter—like F’s “four fluffy feathers on a Fiffer-feffer-feff” and “What begins with T? Ten tired turtles on a tuttle-tuttle tree”—and the whimsical illustrations accompanying each spread.

The Handmade Alphabet, by Laura Rankin
Laura Rankin’s unique book sets itself apart, showcasing pencil illustrations of a beautifully diverse set of hands making each of the letters of the alphabet in American Sign Language. The author was inspired by her deaf stepson to create this special book. In each hand image, there’s also an item starting with the same letter of the alphabet—stalks of asparagus for A, a teacup for C, fog for F, and more.

LMNO Peas, by Keith Baker
The alphabet peas are a busy bunch in this lively trip through the ABCs. The peas have many hobbies and occupations, from acrobats and artists, hikers and inventors, all the way to zoologists. With its bouncy rhymes and playful illustrations, this book by Keith Baker will make an awesome addition to your library of alphabet books. And when it comes time to learn numbers, be sure to check out 1-2-3 Peas.

Z Is for Moose, by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky
Moose is super-excited for his page in this funny alphabet book—so much so that he keeps popping up on pages before readers get to M. But his letter is coming … it’s coming … it’s right after “L is for lollipop”—right? Not so fast! Young readers will giggle their way through the alphabet as they watch Moose try to force his way into the book.

On Market Street, by Arnold Lobel
The narrator is taking a walk through a very unusual market. While on his shopping spree, the boy encounters a person made up entirely of whatever he or she happens to be selling—from apples and books to Xmas trees, yarn, and zippers. Kids and parents will love the enchanting paintings and the delightful notion behind the tale.

Animalia, by Graeme Base
Graeme Base’s book is a truly unique volume. Each page is devoted to a different letter of the alphabet and is comprised of incredible illustrations, containing a wealth of hidden creatures and items. Alliterative text accompanies each page—like, “Diabolical dragons daintily devouring delicious delicacies”—but the real fun is in taking in the images and looking for new things each time that begin with that letter.
What are your favorite alphabet picture books?