LMNO Peas

This delightful alphabet picture-book from Keith Baker is a real "peas" of work!** "We're acrobats, artists, and astronauts in space. / We're builders, bathers, and bikers in a race," intone the Alphabet Peas, highlighting each letter, from A to Z, and demonstrating that, whatever the cliches might be about "peas in a pod," no two of them are alike.

The rollicking rhymes of Baker's simple narrative make LMNO Peas an ideal read-aloud selection with younger children - the perfect introduction to the alphabet, presented in an entertaining and creative way - while his digitally created artwork is colorful and full of fun. I don't know that I'm the greatest connoisseur of alphabet books (Chandra? Oh Chandra, where are you?), but I was won show more over by this charming title, with its very sweet peas!**

**Hey, don't blame me fellow readers, the author's profile on the rear dust-jacket flap describes his emotional life in full, from the times when he is "happea," to the days when he is "grumpea!" show less

LMNO Peas is a short, sweet Pre K-K level concept book that teaches the alphabet and strengthens vocabulary. While there is no storyline, this book would be an excellent pairing for a lesson on the alphabet because it not only has characters climbing on a large model of each letter, but it also reinforces the Alphabetic Principle by expressing occupations/hobbies that match each letter. This allows for students to understand that these letters are not just letters; they have a meaning in the English language. Example: "We're judges and jugglers--we're kickers, kayakers, and some of us are kings." Scholastic Book Wizard has identified this book as having a PreK-K readability level, which makes sense since those are the ages that students show more are learning the alphabet and still feel excited about some LMNO Peas! 4/5. show less

Several thousand alphabet books are currently available and over a dozen new ones are published each year. LMNO Peas by Keith Baker is a fresh and playful addition to the genre. Industrious anthropomorphic peas scurry across each page performing various tasks as the text exclaims that they are alphabet peas. These adorable busy little green peas drive or bicycle or fly around each page that also contains a bright letter that corresponds with their function or task. The rhyming text has wonderful cadence and includes a wide variety of occupations.

I was enchanted with this book. I picked it up several months ago as a gift for a friends daughter and loved it. The little peas are scattered about every page doing all sorts of activities. show more They look like they are having so much fun. Each time I page through it I notice another little pea doing something different. Keith Baker’s attention to detail is why his illustrations are always such a success. Much like in Big Fat Hen, I liked it without knowing exactly why. I just knew there was something special about it. I highly recommend LMNO Peas to anyone who appreciates zany illustrations, peas, or kids between two and six. show less

Rounded up because it's both amusing (note the two kinds of peas) and could prompt wonderful discussion in the family. I love that V is represented by Voters and Volunteers!

And then there's the premise itself, that all these "unique" peas have passions that give them purpose, and the last line is a call for self-reflection.

(Although I admit it would have made more sense to ask 'what do you like to do" rather than "who are you" which I, as a busy parent of a preschooler, would probably get confused by.)

LMNO Peas
Keith Baker
Beach Lane Books, 34p.
Hardcover Picture book (alphabet book)
2010
2-6 years
Each page of this alphabet book features charming and busy little green peas - they have many identities and activities starting with each letter of the alphabet. They are actors, artists, astronauts, builders, bakers, bikers in a race, and so on. The lilting rhyme of this book makes it a great read-aloud, but the detailed pictures make it better for leisurely lap reading than a large-group storytime. Children will enjoy finding the fun little details on each page, as the peas drive, dance, and kayak (for example) around the large, colorful letters of the alphabet.

I can't wait to use this book in my preschool classroom. The kids will love learning about the alphabet with these fun designs and colorful illustrations. The kids can also learn about different occupations and I can see some of them getting excited to tell me about the jobs or hobbies they want to do! I like this book because it introduces the ABCs with more than just the A if for Apple type books.

Such a fun series and I had actually read others before I came to this one, the original! Such cute and fun illustrations with catchy rhymes and large, bold letters on each page. The book is colorful, happy and a joy to read again and again, as little ones are likely to want you to do! The list of occupations and hobbies includes such a wide variety of roles humans take, from dancers to robbers, plumbers, quarterbacks, voters, and volunteeers. My only, very slight caveat, is that it might encourage children to identify themselves only as what they DO, versus who they ARE inside (kind, clever, optimistic, stubborn etc.). It would be important to discuss this at the end.