A Is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet
No Series
on Goodreads (106)
What’s inside...
A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet is a remarkable journey of discovery about art and language through painting, collage, and sculpture by Caldecott Honor artist Stephen T. Johnson. With literal renderings of each letter, complete with witty titles and playful, alliterative captions, Johnson's abstract art forges connections between words, objects, and ideas. Can you find the hidden letters? Look closely and you will see a letter C made of colorful candy, a letter H hidden in a hook, and an S in a soft shadow. From A to Z, each stunning, original work of art will stimulate the imagination and creativity of children and adults alike.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What colors and shapes can you see on this page? How do they make you feel?
Can you find a letter that starts with the same sound as your name? What else starts with that sound?
Why do you think the artist chose these items to represent this letter?
If you were going to create a piece of art with one of these letters, which items would you use?
How do the different textures and patterns in the book change the way you think about the alphabet?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the art, guiding them to explore colors, shapes, and textures.
Use the artwork to connect to your child’s daily experiences, such as matching letters with familiar objects or names.
Ask open-ended questions to foster creativity and critical thinking, avoiding 'yes' or 'no' answers to keep the conversation flowing.
Relate the depicted abstract concepts to real-life scenarios to make the connection stronger and more meaningful for your child.
Celebrate all responses to build confidence and reinforce their natural curiosity and interpretation of art.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Art
Explanation: The book uses the alphabet to introduce children to different forms of abstract art, encouraging them to see and think about art in diverse ways.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect various art forms and artistic expressions, enhancing their cultural awareness and aesthetic sensibility.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Each letter of the alphabet in the book is represented through creative and imaginative abstract designs, pushing the boundaries of traditional alphabet books.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination in daily play and learning activities, fostering inventive thinking.
Example Lesson: Visual Learning
Explanation: The book offers a visual representation of letters through art, which helps in the recognition and understanding of abstract concepts.
Real-World Application: Children can apply visual learning techniques in other subjects like math and science to improve comprehension and memory retention.
Example Lesson: Introduction to Alphabet and Phonetics
Explanation: By correlating each artistic illustration to a letter, children learn the alphabet in a visually stimulating way.
Real-World Application: This helps in early literacy skills, as children can recognize letters and begin forming words, aiding in their reading and writing capabilities.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The abstract illustrations challenge children to interpret and find meaning, thereby enhancing their analytical skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply critical thinking skills when faced with abstract or complex problems in their academic and personal lives.