The Alphabet Tree (Dragonfly Books)

An under-recognized masterpiece. I’m confounded by other reviewers bemoaning the “political” message at the end of the book. They’re clearly not aware of what an enlightened and insightful artist Leo Lionni was, or how he wrote stories that could educate and inspire adults under the guise of innocent children’s books. This book was written and released at the time of the Vietnam War. Of course it would have a strong moral compass. That’s the point. It was protest children’s literature the way Sesame Street was protest children’s television.

Good read

I bought this book because it seemed like a great educational book for my special ed students struggling with basic literacy concepts. I love how Lionni begins with single letters, and then puts 2 or 3 together to create words - great teachable moment. Then, the words are put together to create sentences. There are countless related activities that can be done with this book, as simple as identifying single letters on the leaves, or getting a little more complicated by having kids go through the whole process of letter to word, word to sentence, sentences to meaningful paragraph.The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the somewhat political message at the end. Not that I'm opposed to author's including their moral beliefs into their works, it just felt a little out of place with the rest of the book, and I find it a little difficult to weave into my teaching objectives while working with primary aged kids. That's just my opinion as a teacher of literacy basics, though. If my objective were to teach my students or children a kind of life lesson, I might enjoy it a little more.

Great to use in my class

Great book, but too advanced for the 3 year old I purchased it for. Passed it on to another teacher who will be able to use it.

My daughter first started desiring to read after reading this book together at age 2. She knows sight words now, a year later, and we used this book a lot to learn from by picking out short words in each page as sight words. She loves Leo Lionni books.

this book appeals at so many levels. as a story, we learn that standing together in unity can protect us as well as give meaning to our actions. at another level, its about how letters come together to make words, and words come together to make sentences. its a great story for telling, for readng aloud and for acting as a little drama in pre-school classes.

This is a great teaching tool to use when beginning a lesson on the difference between letters, words, and sentences.

I didn't have very high hopes for this book being a hit with my son (3 when this was purchased). Initially the story didn't resonate with him (the alphabet tree is made up of letters that band together to make words, and then sentences, to prevent themselves from being blown away by the wind), but as his reading has progressed so his enjoyment has increased and we now talk about the sounds and words and how they make sentences when we read the book.The illustrations are beautiful and really help to bring the book to life.The paperback version of the book is a little thin and flimsy - it has lasted a couple of years so must be doing something right, but nonetheless, doesn't feel like a very substantial book.

Excellent as usual

Quick read, child is interested in it.

I'm now a big fan of Leo Lionni's children's books

Another beautiful title from Leo Lionni. It captured my 3 year old's attention right away. He's interested in knowing alphabets so the more apt read.