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Backseat A-B-See
by
Maria van Lieshout (Goodreads Author)
Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see? Whether on a cross-country road trip or a quick jaunt across town, there's no end to what a child can see from the backseat of a car. Using familiar road signs, this striking book introduces little ones not just to the alphabet but also to the world around them. Equally perfect for transportation-obsessed children and those...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 11th 2012
by Chronicle Books
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Backseat A-B-See is a bit of an update of Tana Hoban’s I Read Signs, which is fantastic and still works but also looks a bit dated. Lieshout gives us digital illustrations rather than photographs. The endpapers are a top-down view of a road (genius), and (further genius) she has an author’s note on the first page in a caution sign and a “WRONG WAY” sign blazing on the back endpaper. From there, we see a child and parent heading off in a car, finding signs that correspond to each letter of the al...more
I like that this ABC book theme is signs kids can see from the backseat. As a child, I don't remember paying much attention to signs. Except for states' border signs. Otherwise, I was looking at other things out the window. I only saw signs if my parents pointed them out. I had to start training myself to look at them when I began driving--who knew how helpful they could be. But it also took some time before I could fully tell/remember what they were meaning. So this book wouldn't have been grea...more
The reason this is a 5 star book is because of the potential this book holds! Recently I went on a car trip with some friends and they had "car bingo" cards. On these cards we would check off when we saw various signs or things on the road. This made the trip go much faster because it gave us things to focus on and chat about. This book would be PERFECT if you left it in the car and adhered a post-it note to each page (Since writing in books is a big no-no.). Then as the child sees that sign the...more
I like the idea for this book--considering what can be seen from the backseat of a car. The author/illustrator uses common road signs to cover the letters of the alphabet. Although I'm not sure why the view needs to be from the backseat since those signs are actually pretty useful for the driver to see when negotiating his/her move from lane to lane or off the highway, but maybe she means it in the way we typically call someone a backseat driver. At any rate, this title will certainly be useful...more
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A great example of environmental print as this alphabet is composed entirely of road signs -- all things a toddler can see from the back seat! Simple and boldly designed, with black backgrounds and white road markings behind each sign. Each letter is in large white font against the black. Most signs will be recognizable as well; J for Junction is a little difficult, and Q for quack is for the duck crossing sign, one of my personal favorites. My very favorite is L for Library (of course!) Perfect...more
Nov 14, 2012
Melissa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
5-reading,
6-print-awareness,
concepts,
elem,
fave-2012,
going-places,
list,
shapes,
things-that-go,
preschool-storytime
EXCELLENT design, great selection (Yay LIBRARY!) of signs...I was a little surprised that the only one that was a "stretch" was "Quack;" I anticipated that more of the signs would be unusual but almost all of them can be seen on a day-to-day basis.
Love the small but perfect expressions on the child in the backseat...a smile once the first sign is seen, then a sleepy face on the Z page. Love the "wrong way" sign on the back endpapers! And the road motif is a perfect conduit through the book.
Love the small but perfect expressions on the child in the backseat...a smile once the first sign is seen, then a sleepy face on the Z page. Love the "wrong way" sign on the back endpapers! And the road motif is a perfect conduit through the book.
Someone suggested in their review that this would be perfect for a game in the car and I agree. The graphic design is EXCELLENT--against the bold black road with the white dash divider the colors of the signs pop perfectly.
This is reminiscent of some of Donald Crews books, and I hope it's recognized as such. Terrific!
This is reminiscent of some of Donald Crews books, and I hope it's recognized as such. Terrific!
Another super ABC book to work into our lesson on Categorization and Classification. Presenting street and highway signs as a means of teaching the alphabet has design written all over it (bringing in our reading of Daniel H. Pink's book, A WHOLE NEW MIND).
The crisp hard feel of the book and its pages coupled with a simple color scheme assures that the book never "breaks character."
The crisp hard feel of the book and its pages coupled with a simple color scheme assures that the book never "breaks character."
This is a creative alphabet book that uses common road signs that begin with the letters of the alphabet. The background of each page adds to the theme of the book by using a black road with a white dashed line through the middle. Each of the highlighted road signs visually pop upon the black background. Even the end pages keep the theme of the book by adding a road sign for the author's introduction, a yellow car with an adult driving a child, and a "Wrong Way" sign at the end. This is a fun bo...more
I chose this book for general storytime because I haven't seen a book in this subject for so long. The book worked really well because the kids had a chance to observe and describe the different signs presented in the book. This is definitely recommended for different ages.
A great example of environmental print as this alphabet is composed entirely of road signs -- all things a toddler can see from the back seat! - Robin, Youth Librarian
Reserve a library copy!
Reserve a library copy!
Jul 13, 2012
Sandy
added it
Backseat riders will "spot" the alphabet in road signs just like the ones realistically depicted in this simple concept alphabet book. Supports developmental association of icons with word/letter knowledge in a game-like way that invites repeated readings.
This is an adorable alphabet book about street signs. I remember reading the word Stop for the first time from the backseat of my mom's Cavalier. The Q, X, and Z letters are always tricky in alphabet books and I thought this one was well done.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I had guessed from the title that it would be about the sights a child can see from the back seat of the car. What I hadn't expected was that the book would be all about road signs from A to Z. Very clever!
I love the binding of this book. I kept touching it. I love learning the stories behind good graphic art (you've gotta read the book about the NYC subway fonts, which are NOT ALL Helvetica, contrary to popular belief). HECK YES, I5 is featured!!!
This book is great for your child learning road signs, but is great for younger children because of the bold and silhouette imagery. My son enjoys signs so this was right up his alley.
What a fun ride! I loved the use of every day road signs against the dark, black background. I wondered how those tricky letters would be incorporated . . .
Clever concept! Wonderful "ABC" book that will get lots of use, especially on car rides! Love the sweet face of the backseat passenger!
Bold black background and vibrant oranges, greens, reds, and yellows invite readers to travel along an alphabetical journey of road signs.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a unique ABC book and I know students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 will love it.
Loved this alphabet book of road signs - great for environmental print lesson!
A clever ABC using road signs. Highly praised by my preschool clients.
what do you see from the backseat?
lots of signs all the way
lots of signs all the way
Just when you think you've seen every ABC book concept. Nicely done!
An alphabet book featuring road signs.
I won this in a giveaway from My Four Monkeys blog.
I won this in a giveaway from My Four Monkeys blog.
A must-have in my blocks and cars in my classroom!
Great book for environmental print and/or alphabet!
Road sign alphabet. Awesome concept book!
Great example of print in real life.
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Maria was born and raised in Holland. She graduated from The George Washington University with a BFA in Visual Communications, and was Creative Director for The Coca-Cola Company.
She currently lives in San Francisco in a creaky 100-year old Victorian with her husband Peter and their son Max.
More about Maria van Lieshout...
She currently lives in San Francisco in a creaky 100-year old Victorian with her husband Peter and their son Max.
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