©Carolyn Gabb

Category: Alphabet Book
(written by a college student of Dr. Gabb)

Book title: The Butterfly Alphabet
Author: Kjell B. Sandved
Photographer: Kjell B. Sandved
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date: 1996
ISBN# 0439079470

This hardback book is composed of sixty-seven breathtaking pages of color photographs taken over a twenty-five year span by the gifted photographer, Kjell B. Sandved. There are two photographs for each letter of the alphabet. The first photograph for the letter is a picture of the butterfly. Then on the opposite page is an eight by ten close up of the section of the wing, which has the letter on it. Each page has a glossy cover, which makes the colors dance across the page as each one is turned. The photographs are so detailed, that it make the reader feel like they can touch and feel the textures of the wings. The detail in each photograph is impeccable. Every line, bump, and circle can be seen within the formation of the letter. Sometimes the letters in the wings are very obvious and sometimes they are a little harder to see and may have to be pointed out to small children. All the letters in the various wings are easy to see for a child who knows their alphabet.

On the opposite page of the eight by ten close up picture is another picture of the entire butterfly. At the very bottom of the page in the right hand corner is the name of the butterfly, which may not correspond to the letter of the alphabet. The name is written very small and only obvious to the person looking for the name of the butterfly. There is also a very large letter written on the page. This is the letter the child should see in the corresponding wing. There is also a sentence under the letter written in black. Within the sentence is a colored word starting with the designated letter. For instance, alphabet is for A and dance is for D. The words of the book dance across the page like the colors of the photographs.

The vocabulary in this book is difficult for young readers and may be difficult for them to understand. They will love the pictures and will recognize the letters within the text and photographs. This book should be used as an alphabet reinforcer, but not used to teach the alphabet.

In the back of the book there are a few pages which tell about butterflies in general and then tells about all of the butterflies in the story. Each butterfly has a small picture beside the description. There is an offer for the butterfly poster in the back of the book.

This book is one of the if not the most elegant books I have ever seen. After I read this book I went out and ordered it for my classroom and myself. I recommend this book to everyone who loves to read and loves books. This book is a wonderful book for adults and children to read together. Enjoy…