Reviews: (by author)

Michael McCurdy, illustrator. The Sailor's Alphabet. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998. $16.00. ISBN 0-3958-4167-4.

This is an attractive picture alphabet book mainly targeted for boys, since all the large, quaint pictures are of men and boys aboard a U.S. Navy frigate circa 1837. However any child who like sailboats and sailboat terms might respond to this book. The text itself is a version of the genuine sea chantey, "The Sailor's Alphabet," created in the 1800's by an anonymous sailor--the words have a rollicking rhythm of their own. Each letter illustrates some part of a sailing ship, as for example, "J is the jib that weathers the bleat," and at the bottom of each page are explanatory notes for the benefit of an adult reader (a definition of "bleat," for example). Three maritime museum curators advised the illustrator on this book. It has a certain patriotic tone, in keeping with its focus on a U.S. Naval vessel.

Recommended reading level: Age 4-7

Reviewed by Evelyn Butler

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