Reviews

Format: Paperback This is a brilliantly put together book. Being an English major, and parent of two, I have never seen anything like this before. Every book that I have read that helps with the sound of letters comes across as either boring or like it is trying to imprint the information into your child's brain. The approach that this author takes in teaching the young reader, through fun examples of repeating letter sounds helps the child to understand the concept of what sounds each letter can make, without just force-feeding it to them. Breakdown of the book: -- Fun characters -- Witty use of letter sounds -- Easy-to-understand variations of each letter sound I'd just like to put on here, that I have no idea where we came about getting this book (I'm guessing from my child's teacher). But my daughter pulled it off the shelf for us to read tonight and I was so impressed with it that I had to jump on here and write something. I just want to say to the author: Thank you! Fantastic book! Luke Glassock Amazon Review This unique picture book features a talking, multicolored alphabet to teach basic sounds, from Andy and his apples to Zelda the zebra. English has many quirks, but Nyssen's sunny ABC book keeps things simple by addressing only single letters... With characters such as Andy, April, Alma, Grandpa Goose and George the giraffe, the differences in the oft-changing pronunciation of some letters becomes obvious. For example, through "Yolanda the yellow yak," "Lynn" and her "cymbals" and "Kyle's pig sty," Nyssen clearly explains the letter "y" and its mysterious ability to make three sounds and be both a consonant and a vowel. Beginning in simple, sporadic rhyme, Nyssen opts for an alliterative and more effective free verse for most of the book. The real strength is her novel color scheme for letters that shows, for example, the short "a" in green letters, the long "a" in red and its "third sound" in brown... Motz's inventive illustrations radiate charm and imagination, greatly helping to distinguish Nyssen's book from other early reader alphabets. An excellent study guide with clever illustrations to assist with the basics." Kirkus Reviews The following 2 national award winning books were specially designed by author Mary Jo Nyssen for use by teachers and their early learner students for use in their classrooms to noticeably improve reading skills. 1. A Colorful Journey Through the Land of Talking Letters 2. An Amazing Circus of Phonograms-Act 1 QUOTES FROM REVIEWS Book 1 ...it helps teach children the sounds that all the letters make. Writer's Digest-Judge's commentary December 21, 2015 ...an excellent study guide... Kirkus Reviews I am encouraging all my Warner Pacific Collage Teacher Education students to purchase and use Mary Jo's book. ... Steve Arndt-Senior Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Warner Pacific Collage, Portland, Or ...will enforce concepts, reiterate rules, and increase fun while teaching necessary phonetic skill. ... The Old Schoolhouse Magazine LLC-by Melissa Cummins ...it's an excellent resource for parents and teachers. ... Joyce Bower-Adjunct Professor of English/Writing-Linn Benton Community Collage, Albany, Or ...If a letter can have two or more sounds, she has a story to cover each one with all of that letter appearing in the color to go with its sound. I loved it! Writer's Digest-Judge's commentary December 21, 2015 Book 2 ...my kindergartens love the different stories and listening for the sounds Kristen Mikilas-Kindergarten teacher, Albany, Or.. We read 2-4 pages a day. Each page is a mini-story of its own centered around a sound... Amazon Review- Patricia Tharp June 20, 2015 more to be included-