Take Away the a

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.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

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

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"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
"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. The fear in this sort of thing is that your ABC book might go over the heads of the kids who read ABC books. Take Away the A isn't a wink for the adult reader - it's for the kids, through and through." — Travis Jonker, 100scopenotes, SLJ
"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

"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