This is the story of the twenty-six children of Zeal Monachorum who did not know their ABC, until one day Perkin the Pedlar came by. He told them a story and a verse for each letter of the alphabet, starting with Appledore and ending with their own Zeal Monarchorum.

Eleanor Farjeon's unique gifts appear at their best in this enchanting alphabet book, where the little stories are in the enduring tradition of English folktale, and the verses pure, delightful poetry.