Delightful D and More Letters by Daigneault

Lynn: When you think of the letter B do you think of “Big Baboons Bathing in Blue Bubbles”? Or does the letter P evoke thoughts of “Perky Penquins Painting Pretty Pictures”? Well, I haven’t but after reading Sylvie Daigneault’s stunning Imaginary Alphabet (Pajama Press, 2023) those images will always be in my head.

Long-time readers may remember that alphabet books are a real favorite of mine. As I’ve said in the past, the infinite variety of them astonishes me. Each time I think there can’t be anything new to match, someone creates something that does. It’s a really basic premise, after all, so how inventive can people be? VERY inventive and Sylvie Daigneault joins the list of illustrators who have taken the ABC’s to new heights.

In the Preface, Daigneault tells readers that the idea had been in her mind for a long time and during the Pandemic, she began to really work on the book. Perhaps I should say play instead of work because playfulness is a huge part of this book, both in the bouncy alliterative text and in the exuberant whimsy of the illustrations. The book is slightly oversized and each 2-page spread features a letter and on the opposite page an intricate illustrative example of words beginning with the letter. All are done in colored pencil and full of exquisite details worked carefully into the overall illustration. For example, the letter R features a scene of “Reckless Raccoons Riding the River Rapid” and the scene shows not only a rowboat load of raccoons on a racing river but it also includes raspberry bushes, a reindeer, roses, rain, a rainbow, rabbits, a railroad, ropes, and a robin. Every letter is a new delight and each page requires and deserves careful examination and appreciation.

There is a list of over 300 items included in the pictures. I’m not sure if it is better to go through first and then look at the list or look at each letter, and then check the list. Either way is fun and awe-inspiring.

This book is a visual and imaginative treat and an absolute delight to read—even the endpapers are beautiful! A must-purchase for all elementary classrooms and libraries. I’m supposed to be winnowing my huge, out-of-control collection of books to fit in a proposed new home but I don’t think I can resist adding this one anyway! Enjoy!