During story time yesterday baby and I read an animal ABC book. The book, first published in 1954, was rather drab...A is for Alligator, B is for Bear, C is for Cat, D is for Deer, E is for Ermine...Eh? The letter E was apparently the curve-ball, the "are-you still-awake-out there?" page. Considering the previous four letters I was anticipating something mainstream and generic, like elephant or eagle or elk or earthworm or ewe.
But, curious George that I am, page 5 and this mystery animal prompted a little zoological exploration. (Perhaps this was the author's intention?) After a little research I have learned that an ermine is in fact a short-tailed weasel, also known as a stoat and lives in mostly northern climes, like Canada and Alaska.
The letter X animal was another interesting page; X is (obviously!) for Xenurus, as in Xenurus unicintus, the Latin name for armadillo. Right, I bet your three-year old will make a connection with that one. (***Note to self, share this story with your child the next time you drive through west Texas and carefully help him identify the Xenurus roadkill).
I guess I am a children's book snob, but I am not terribly motivated to read that particular ABC book again. I could, on the other hand, read Dr. Seuss's ABC book every day to my little boy. Dr. Seuss, who published his ABC book in 1963, not only understands his audience, he understands how important it is to educate AND entertain his audience. The variety, repetition, and word combination patterns are fantastic--bursting with creativity and fun. B isn't just for Bear, it is for barber, baby, bubbles, and a bumblebee. What little kid wouldn't giggle at the feast for the ears in "four fluffy feathers on a fiffer-feeffer-feff" or "the quick Queen of Quincy and her quacking quaker-oo"?! Y isn't just for Yak, it is a yawning, yellow yak with Yolanda on his back! I love it! Now that is a story time to look forward to!
p.s.--for older kids I love Graeme Base's Animalia, another alliterative alphabet book with stunning illustrations.
