Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends. Here is another book I’ve been anxious to spotlight…ever since I read an early draft of it during a manuscript exchange with one of my critique buddies. It’s actually just hot off the press as you’ll see by the publication date below. I am so darn excited for the talented Beth Anderson…and you’ll get to meet her tomorrow when she stops by to chat on Will Write for Cookies. Plus she’s graciously agreed to do a giveaway…so make sure you leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of her debut picture book, AN INCOVENIENT ALPHABET: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution.
AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET: BEN FRANKLIN & NOAH WEBSTER’S SPELLING REVOLUTION
Written by Beth Anderson
Illustrated by Elizabeth Buddeley
Published by Simon and Schuster (September 25, 2018)
Ages: 4-8
Themes: American history, spelling, humor
Synopsis: From Amazon:
“Delightful, relatable, and eye-catchingly illustrated.” —School Library Journal
“Deelytful and iloominaating for noo and seesuned reeders alyk.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Thought-provoking and entertaining.” —School Library Connection
“Engaging…A comprehensible, lively read.” —Publishers Weekly
Do you ever wish English was eez-ee-yer to spell? Ben Franklin and Noah Webster did! Debut author Beth Anderson and the New York Times bestselling illustrator of I Dissent, Elizabeth Baddeley, tell the story of two patriots and their attempt to revolutionize the English alphabet.
Once upon a revolutionary time, two great American patriots tried to make life easier. They knew how hard it was to spell words in English. They knew that sounds didn’t match letters. They knew that the problem was an inconvenient English alphabet.
In 1786, Ben Franklin, at age eighty, and Noah Webster, twenty-eight, teamed up. Their goal? Make English easier to read and write. But even for great thinkers, what seems easy can turn out to be hard.
Children today will be delighted to learn that when they “sound out” words, they are doing eg-zakt-lee what Ben and Noah wanted.
Why I like this book:
- I love books that bring history alive – especially little known stories like this one. Why didn’t they have books like this when I was a kid?
- The text is fabulous…punny and funny and shows a great depth of research on the part of Beth Anderson, the author.
- Illustrator Elizabeth Baddeley’s work is absolutely breathtaking! Bold! Hilarious! And totally Spot On! Kids are going to LOVE this book and so will teachers, librarians, and parents!
- Wonderfully informative author’s note at the end of the book.
- PLUS…there is also a super cool CURRICULUM GUIDE for teachers and school librarians who want to extend the learning experience after reading AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Photo courtesy: https://www.123homeschool4me.com/2017/01/26-alphabet-crafts_20.html
There are crafts here from A to Z. For detailed instructions: https://www.123homeschool4me.com/2017/01/26-alphabet-crafts_20.html
For more wonderful picture book reviews and activities for kids, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post where lots of lovers of picture books congregrate.
I hope you all have a super weekend. The fall foliage is in full swing in New England and I hope, wherever you are, you are getting out to enjoy your days. Please don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book…when you read the book, don’t forget to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads…and please do come back tomorrow to chat with Beth on Will Write for Cookies.
Cool book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I luv this book! I reseeved (okay, enough of that!) my copy this week and am not ready to part with it. If I should happen to win this one, I’ll gladly post it for another lucky person’s chance to win. This is such a fun book. I know it will soar and become a favorite with kids!….and, I personally see no use for c and k!!! Do you think I can start another alphabet revolutions?!?!? Great job, Beth Anderson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Mona! As usual, anything too inconvenient just doesn’t make it… 😉 There are a lot of things that don’t make sense…don’t get me started – haha!
LikeLike
Thank goodness for Ben and Noah! I took an old English class in college and trying to decipher what I was reading was horrible. Congrats, Beth and thank you for giving us a book like this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jodi! Standardized spelling really is huge! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m happy to learn more about this book, Vivian, and like you, I wonder where these great books were when I was a kid. No matter, they are here for our grandkids! Congratulations, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I know, history was never this fun when I was young!
LikeLike
Yay! I can’t wait to read this one! Fun! Great activity ideas! Thanks, Vivian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve also added an Activity Packet to my website book page. Hopefully there will be activities galore – something for everyone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great!
LikeLike
CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – I feel an intensity in those caps and am honored by all those exclamation points! 😆
LikeLike
This book is going to be fun for me as a word lover. This is cool history to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely interesting history for word nerds! I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
This looks great, Vivian! Putting it on hold 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks wonderful! Thanks for the post and congratulations! Requesting it at my library right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Elizabeth! I hope you enjoy it! And don’t miss Elizabeth Baddeley’s genius illustration details 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations Beth! I love books that bring history alive for youth! Must admit I didn’t know the story about Franklin and Webster. Sounds like a fun book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Patricia! It was one of those obscure historical tidbits that tends to be reduced to a few sentences in most bios.
LikeLike
Ohh, this sounds like such a fun book, especially since my father is English and continually adds /u/ to words 🙂 Looking forward to reading it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elizabeth Baddeley’s illustrations are phenomenal! I hope you enjoy the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe this book wasn’t already on order at the San Francisco Public Library. I just sent them the info. I’m sure they’ll rectify the situation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for taking care of this oversight!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you are! I was looking froward to reading your review. This is a great book! Congrats Beth and thanks Vivian for fun crafts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maria, thanks for all your encouragement and support!
LikeLike
cannot wait to read this book! On order for our library system… but if they don’t hurry up and get it on the shelf I may have to get my own copy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your revolutionary attitude!! 🙂
LikeLike
So looking forward to reading this – I love learning little-known stories about historical icons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m all about quirky historical tidbits that always turn out to have something meaningful behind them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a book that will appeal to all ages. Congratulations Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Keila!
LikeLike
Sounds like a great idea for a book. I’d read this to my class asap!
LikeLike
I really can’t wait for this one. It makes you wonder what could have been for dreadful spellers like me.
LikeLike
this is just the kind of story I love
LikeLike