A feast for the eye and the intellect introduces 75 fruits and vegetables originating the world over. Their bright colors and distinctive shapes are arranged in a painted and cut assemblage labeled with upper and lower case first letters and names. A mouth-watering example of foods represented at the turn of a page is the M-N-O sequence containing a mango, melon nectarines, okra, an onion and oranges. Children generally can find at least one familiar food from in every section. The handsome graphic design utilizes negative space wisely and actively. An alphabetical glossary keyed by 26 capital letters and colored miniatures of the foods classifies each as a fruit or vegetable, gives a phonetic spelling and a brief history of its origin and early use. (Ages 2-9)

A vibrant and sturdy word book starring fruits and vegetables from around the world from Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Lois Ehlert. Features upper- and lowercase letters for preschoolers just learning language.

Each turn of the page reveals a mouth-watering arrangement of foods: Indian corn, jalapeno, jicama, kumquat, kiwifruit and kohlrabi. Lois Ehlert's lively watercolors paired with bold easy-to-read type make for a highly appealing and accessible book for parents and children to devour.

At the end of the book, Ehlert provides a detailed glossary that includes pronunciation, botanical information, the origin and history of the particular plant and occasional mythological references, with a small watercolor picture to remind the reader of what the plant looks like.

Apple to Zucchini,

come take a look.

Start eating your way

through this alphabet book.