The Imaginary Alphabet

"Dizzy Dinosaurs Dancing in the Dark," "Majestic Macaws Making a Magnificent Mess," "Wild Wolves Wandering the Wintery Woods." Unassuming at first glance, this sophisticated yet whimsical, alphabet book lures readers into a fantastical alliterative rabbit hole and is visually captivating, with the utmost attention to detail. A spread is devoted to each letter of the alphabet, highlighting illustrated letters on the left coupled with a surreal look-and-find scene on the right. Daigneault's digitally enhanced colored pencil drawings are vivid dreamscapes of nature, magic, and imagination that play along with each alliterative description that proceeds. Readers of all ages will linger and absorb the many whimsical plants, animals, and objects woven throughout each carefully crafted illustration. Back matter provides a guide for the hidden components incorporated into each illustration, and readers will surely scan each drawing to make sure all elements are discovered. Some details depicted will not be easily identifiable for the youngest readers, but when enjoyed with an older reader, the book may serve as an opportunity for extending vocabulary. Early elementary aged children will be drawn to the stunning illustrations and gamelike details of the book, but the most interest will likely be shown by grown-ups nostalgic for Graeme Base's Animalia. VERDICT An enchanting, artistic interpretation of the alphabet, sure to delight readers from A to Z.—Emily Brush

Alliterative lines accompany elaborate colored pencil drawings in this fantastical animal abecedarian for fans of Graeme Base. Each spread opens with a letter constructed from appropriate material (bubbles for B) that's situated above an introductory phrase ("Kind Koalas Keeping Kiwis for a King"); letter-specific details then fill facing pages, illustrating madcap moments. Representing H, hats, helicopters, and more appear around an iridescent "Happy Hippopotamus Hopping down the Hall." Numbats nestle beneath the North Star ("Noisy Numbats Nesting Nicely for the Night"). And "Two Toucans Taking the Train to Town" are shown with tigers, turtles, and tables. Daigneault's absorbing drawings incorporate vivid detail in depicting a wide range of subjects, and back matter guides readers seeking to identify objects tucked throughout. Ages 5-10. (Aug.)

Praise for The Imaginary Alphabet

49th Shelf Fall 2023 "Most Anticipated Books for Young Readers" Selection

CBC Books "45 Picture Books to Check Out This Fall 2023" Selection

"Each letter of the alphabet in this vivid collection gets a sentence along with a humorous tableau full of details that are meant to coax the young reader to identify other objects with names that begin with the same letter. The illustration for "I" is particularly funny....There's a prismatic intensity to Ms. Daigneault's pictures that gives them a giddy feel."—The Wall Street Journal, Closer Look Feature

★"Dreamy colored pencil illustrations elevate this alphabet book to a work of art....depicted in meticulous detail within illustrations that will enchant adults and children alike."—Foreword★Starred Review

"A menagerie of merry and meticulously embellished animals mingles with witty wordsmithing and a whimsical search-and-find component to create an extravagant abecedary for an extensive audience in Sylvie Daigneault's glorious, oversized picture book, The Imaginary Alphabet....Its limited lexicon is sophisticated enough to satisfy linguists while still approachable for its intended audience of early and emerging readers. Animal lovers and I Spy series enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate elaborate detail in picture book art, should find special joy in perusing these pages. This ornate, alliterative, and interactive alphabetical adventure invites discovery as it delights admirers with its eccentric animal reveries."—Shelf Awareness, Maximum Shelf

"The author/illustrator uses layers of colored pencil, digitally enhanced, to achieve her attentive artwork, which feels elegant and spacious while sustaining a fanciful tone with childish appeal. This is a dreamy addition to personal shelves and library collections."—Shelf Awareness

"[T]his sophisticated yet whimsical, alphabet book lures readers into a fantastical alliterative rabbit hole and is visually captivating, with the utmost attention to detail.....children will be drawn to the stunning illustrations and gamelike details of the book, but the most interest will likely be shown by grown-ups nostalgic for Graeme Base's Animalia.... An enchanting, artistic interpretation of the alphabet, sure to delight readers from A to Z."—School Library Journal

"Alliterative lines accompany elaborate colored pencil drawings in this fantastical animal abecedarian for fans of Graeme Base....Daigneault's absorbing drawings incorporate vivid detail in depicting a wide range of subjects, and back matter guides readers seeking to identify objects tucked throughout."—Publishers Weekly

"An alliterative animal abecedarium for avid apprentices. This whimsical yet elegant alphabet book unfolds in a series of 26 vignettes. Daigneault crafts scenes bursting with opportunity for further exploration....Fun with phonics."—Kirkus Reviews

"Every member of the alphabet receives meticulous attention in this lovely look and find book. Beautiful endpapers preview all the letters; each featured in a large, serif font and decorated with relevant items....A complete list of every pictured item closes out the book, which will encourage kids to flip back and forth through the pages."—Youth Services Book Review

"Young children will enjoy exploring the vivid and meticulously detailed coloured pencil illustrations for their own sake while older children will enjoy the challenge of trying to identify every hidden alliterative clue while expanding their vocabularies...Highly Recommended."—CM Reviews

"The large picture book is beautifully executed with heavy pages and gorgeous art. Playful words invite readers to find more objects starting with each letter of the alphabet in the luscious illustrations....A fun new alphabet book for readers of all ages."—The International Educator