★ 10/06/2014
Just when it feels like there's nothing new under the abecedarian sun, Escoffier and Di Giacomo, the team behind Brief Thief and other titles, showcase the magic of subtraction as it relates to letters, revealing how removing a single letter from a word transforms it into something else entirely. "Without the A, the beast is the best," Escoffier begins, as Di Giacomo pictures a gray, fanged monster hoisting a trophy into the air while wearing a sash that pronounces him "scariest & hairiest." (The competition wasn't exactly stiff: a nonthreatening duck and a forlorn fish occupy the second- and third-place spots on the podium.) The scenarios that follow can be romantic (after losing a G, "the glove falls in love"—with a blushing octopus), whimsical, or downright unsettling. "Without the P, the plate is too late" accompanies a scene that show mice frantically trying to deliver dinner to a cat, which has a mouse's tail dangling from its mouth. Beyond the inherent fun of the concept (which has plenty of potential for classroom activities), every scene tells a story—it's practically 26 books in one. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2014
A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2014
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice Book of 2014
"...everything about this attractive book warmly addresses a child. Di Giacomo’s palimpsest-like illustrations featuring appealing animal protagonists are their own reward. A little white rat threads its way through, its tiny reaction shots standing in for the child reader’s. Wolves, witches, a fiddling cat and seven dwarves dance across the pages, gesturing to the wealth of children’s literature beyond the ABCs. [...] All alphabet books require mastery of the letters in order to read them, but this one manages that paradox with genius." — The New York Times Book Review
"Just when it feels like there's nothing new under the abecedarian sun, Escoffier and Di Giacomo, the team behind Brief Thief and other titles, showcase the magic of subtraction as it relates to letters, revealing how removing a single letter from a word transforms it into something else entirely...Beyond the inherent fun of the concept (which has plenty of potential for classroom activities), every scene tells a story—it's practically 26 books in one." — STARRRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
“Amid the flood of alphabet books, now and then one rises to the surface. This one is a prize catch . . . Without a doubt, these inventive images are imaginative and engaging—chock full of inspiration for kids to try their own wordplay and a boon to teachers.” — STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
“Engaging from page one and smart as a whip, the team who brought Brief Thief to the world takes on an old standard and creates something delightfully fresh...what I appreciate most about this book is that it adds a layer of complexity to a children’s lit staple while remaining a squarely for kids...An alphabet book that isn't satisfied just covering the ABC's, Take Away the A" has substantial classroom appeal as well. It's something new under the sun." — Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes, School Library Journal
"What emerges is a playful celebration of language not as a dry, mathematical exercise in letter-organization but as a living organism, in which letters make meaning through a vast mesh of metaphorical associations driven by the imagination — the very faculty that is the hallmark of children's minds." —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
“Beyond all this fun, we’ve also got subtle, essential, vital reminders about the creative power of language. Learn your letters, shift them at will, and you’ve got the unlimited ability to express anything and everything . . . With his Stateside debut, Escoffier is delightedly, demonstrating his power over language, or rather languages. We should all cultivate such superpowers!” — Book Dragon
“. . . a creative sophisticated twist on the traditional alphabet book . . . text and art play effortlessly off each other to enhance humor and meaning.” — The Horn Book
“You will want this book. I guarantee it. Best. Alphabet Book. Ever.” — Mary Lee, A Year of Reading
“ Take Away the A has fun with the way a word can be transformed by the removal of a single letter. Droll, delicate, slightly dis tempered illustrations by Kris Di Giacomo add humor to this alphabetical caper. This literary treat for 4- to 8-year-olds will have children yanking letters out of words for fun in no time.” — Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal
11/01/2014
Gr 1–3—This is a clever and engaging "alphabeast of a book" for children capable of basic word recognition. The premise is that less is indeed more, as Escoffier moves through the alphabet, and removes a letter on each spread. Taking away an "A," "B," or "C," etc., transforms each highlighted word into a totally new one, and the wacky, almost surreal (plants wearing pants) images reinforce the humor and add to the literal wordplay. For example, "Without the D DICE are ICE" shows a wolf and a goose playing cards, while sipping umbrella drinks with ivory cubes inside. "Without the K the MONKEY makes MONEY" features a monkey ringing up sales on a cash register at his banana stand. Kids will have fun coming up with, and illustrating, reductive examples of their own. Inspired and instructive silliness.—Luann Toth, School Library Journal
★ 2014-07-29
Amid the flood of alphabet books, now and then one rises to the surface. This one is a prize catch. In a distinctive, refreshing approach, the text takes a word and subtracts one letter, turning it into a different word. "Without the A / the BEAST is the BEST." The stylized illustration on the double-page spread gives form to the concept by depicting a photographer (a buzzard) focusing on the winners of a competition: A monster wearing a "Scariest and Hairiest" sash stands in first place, with a goose and fish in second and third. "Without the B / the BRIDE goes for a RIDE." A worried-looking buck holding a balloon and a doe wearing a bridal veil are riding on a Ferris wheel. Now picture these: The chair has hair; the dice are ice; plants are pants; the crab hails a cab; and so on. All of the figures are animals fashioned with touches of humor; a white mouse pops in and out throughout the scenes. For Q, the word "faquir" (a turbaned tiger) attends a "fair"; for X, "foxes" become "foes." The artwork is deceptively simple; subtle details betray its sophistication. Altogether, the fascinating illustrations, crafty composition and tall format give the book real flair. Without a doubt, these inventive images are imaginative and engaging—chock full of inspiration for kids to try their own wordplay and a boon to teachers. (Alphabet picture book. 7-10)
