Book

A, My Name Is Alice

by Jane Bayer

📖 Overview

A, My Name Is Alice is an alphabet book that presents twenty-six jump rope rhymes, each featuring a different name starting with a successive letter. Each rhyme follows a consistent pattern beginning with "[Letter], my name is [Name]" and describes the character's location, companion, and favorite food. The text pairs with folk art illustrations depicting diverse children skipping rope in various settings across the United States. The artwork shows urban and rural backgrounds, different seasons, and multiple cultural traditions. Through simple rhymes and repetition, this book serves as both an educational tool for learning the alphabet and a celebration of childhood games and traditions. The combination of movement, rhythm, and sequential learning makes this book well-suited for both individual reading and group activities.

👀 Reviews

Readers value this alphabet book for teaching letter sounds while incorporating movement and play through jump rope rhymes. Parents report their children enjoy chanting along and memorizing the verses. What readers liked: - Nostalgic connection to traditional jump rope songs - Clear rhythm that helps with memorization - Diverse names and places featured - Illustrations show kids of different backgrounds - Works well for both home and classroom use What readers disliked: - Some found the rhymes dated or simplistic - A few mentioned the illustrations look old-fashioned - Limited replay value once memorized Ratings: Goodreads: 4.05/5 (219 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (80 ratings) As one teacher wrote: "My kindergarteners request this book weekly - they love shouting the rhymes and pretending to jump rope." A parent noted: "The rhythm sticks in kids' heads, which helps them remember letter sounds naturally through play."

📚 Similar books

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault Letters climb up a coconut tree in this rhythmic alphabet adventure.

Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon Each letter connects to an unexpected word through clever transformations.

The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg Twenty-six theatrical vignettes present the letters through dramatic actions.

AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis The alphabet letters break tradition and present themselves in mixed-up order.

Eight Animals on the Town by Susan Middleton Elya Spanish and English words blend in this alphabet journey through city streets.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔤 This alphabet book, first published in 1984, features a unique "jump rope rhyme" format that children can chant while skipping rope. 📚 Each character in the book is deliberately shown doing everyday activities from different cultures and backgrounds, making it one of the early examples of multicultural representation in children's literature. 🎨 Artist Steven Kellogg, known for his detailed and whimsical illustrations, created the vibrant artwork that brings each alphabetical character to life. 🌟 The book's pattern follows a specific formula: "[Letter], my name is [Name] and my husband's/sister's/friend's name is [Name], we come from [Place] and we sell [Item]." 🎵 Teachers and librarians often use this book as a template for children to create their own alphabetical verses, encouraging creativity and language development through play.