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AlphaOops!
Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First
It's backwards! It's inside out! It's every letter for itself! This laugh-out-loud romp is not your average alphabet book!
Z is tired of always having to be last when the alphabet family lines up. He is demanding fair and equal treatment! The letters (more or less) agree to go backwards, but it's not long before P has some ideas of his own. And so does H, for that matter. In fact, it seems as if almost every letter has a different opinion about how the alphabet should be arranged. It's chaos! It's pandemonium! And it's definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar's colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis's snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own.
Z is tired of always having to be last when the alphabet family lines up. He is demanding fair and equal treatment! The letters (more or less) agree to go backwards, but it's not long before P has some ideas of his own. And so does H, for that matter. In fact, it seems as if almost every letter has a different opinion about how the alphabet should be arranged. It's chaos! It's pandemonium! And it's definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar's colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis's snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Alethea Kontis
150 books1,487 followers"A veritable badass fairy princess." --Jim Butcher
"The faerie princess of the worlds of weird." --Jonathan Maberry
"Alethea Kontis IS fairy tales." --Jim C. Hines, author of Libriomancer
"Alethea Kontis: Awesome, racks up award nominations, wears tiaras." --SF author Ferrett Steinmetz
"I want to live in [Alethea's] head because I think that might be the most interesting place in the world!!!!" --Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy
"Alethea Kontis, the woman who writes like Shakespeare would if he were alive today." --Aaron Pound
"The beauty of a princess, the confidence of a queen, the brilliance of a writer, and the demeanor of a cheerful fairy comedian!" --Cheyenne Z.
"This was the story before all of the other stories, and it was the other tales that were changed over time." --Nerdophiles, on ENCHANTED
"The faerie princess of the worlds of weird." --Jonathan Maberry
"Alethea Kontis IS fairy tales." --Jim C. Hines, author of Libriomancer
"Alethea Kontis: Awesome, racks up award nominations, wears tiaras." --SF author Ferrett Steinmetz
"I want to live in [Alethea's] head because I think that might be the most interesting place in the world!!!!" --Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy
"Alethea Kontis, the woman who writes like Shakespeare would if he were alive today." --Aaron Pound
"The beauty of a princess, the confidence of a queen, the brilliance of a writer, and the demeanor of a cheerful fairy comedian!" --Cheyenne Z.
"This was the story before all of the other stories, and it was the other tales that were changed over time." --Nerdophiles, on ENCHANTED
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
December 12, 2017
This early concept informational book is perfect for the younger grades who are still trying to learn the sounds each letter makes. The characters in the story are the letters of the alphabet and the plot revolves around when Z decides he is tired of always having to be last and deserves equal treatment. The illustrations and humorous play on words make this book interesting for the younger age group and I think because the author wrote it this way it would be easy to refer back to it when children were having difficulties with their letter sounds. If they could relate what happened in the story to the sound the letter makes in the story and so on, they are more likely to remember their letter sounds.
March 23, 2014
This book is about the alphabet, but all the letters are out of order. Each letter is personified and has a personality. The book starts out with the letter A (with eyes, mouth, arms and legs) saying “A is for app—,” but the letter A is cut off by the letter Z. The letter Z is upset because it always gets stuck at the end, so it jumps in and decides to start the alphabet from Z. Then, P gets upset about still being stuck in the middle, so then the letters decide to go in a completely random order. Z is the “leader” of the alphabet, and each letter gets a chance to “say” what their letter represents. It’s quite enjoyable because each letter’s personality traits create funny scenarios and build anticipation for what may come next.
This is an alphabet picture book because it helps reinforce phonemic awareness and increase vocabulary, while utilizing pictures, colors and other aesthetics to helps make the connections. This book would be great for a teacher-lead read-aloud in a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom because suspense is built on each page—what letter will come next?! Additionally, this book can be used to teach why we use the alphabet in a particular order and that the order doesn’t matter for some instances (depending on which angle you go with).
This is an alphabet picture book because it helps reinforce phonemic awareness and increase vocabulary, while utilizing pictures, colors and other aesthetics to helps make the connections. This book would be great for a teacher-lead read-aloud in a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom because suspense is built on each page—what letter will come next?! Additionally, this book can be used to teach why we use the alphabet in a particular order and that the order doesn’t matter for some instances (depending on which angle you go with).
September 1, 2011
This is a fun book to use to assess the students alphabet skills. In this book the letter Z goes first and then Y. All the letters are all mixed up. The students will have fun trying to figure out which letter comes next.
January 30, 2013
A fun twist/variation of an alphabet book. The letters each have their own quirks and there are opportunities to discuss sharing, feelings, taking turns, etc. Bright illustrations, humorous dialogue, and side stories make this a great book!
April 27, 2011
The entire family was sorry to see this one go back to the library. Kara could quote the entire thing, which was quite entertaining.
April 20, 2012
Best Alphabet book ever! Favorite line is by the letter G, "Oh... V is for violence." Also, the kids as for it repeatedly.
November 7, 2017
1. This book has not won any awards.
2. I think this is a good book for preschoolers and kindergartners.
3. This book is about the day Z wanted to go first in the alphabet. In AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First, all of the letters in the alphabet have a new place, except for H because she "happens to like where [she] always is." The book relates each letter to one or more words and pictures throughout the chaos.
4. I like that this book put a humorous spin on the average alphabet book. I found myself pausing though wondering which letters were left, but I think kids will enjoy that the alphabet is not in order. I really liked that the letters were characters and that Alethea Kontis gave them their own personalities and opinions.
5. I could use this book to talk about the alphabet, of course, but I think there are a few lessons within the book I could also discuss. One thing I would do with the book is talk about routines with my class. Throughout the school year the everyday routine can get a bit boring and too repetitive. I would read this book to the children and compare it our daily schedules. I would then move around our schedule for that day a little to offer some variety. Another use I would do is talk about class rules. While reading, I would point out how Z, P, and H take things into their own hands and go in their own order. I would compare that to not raising your hand and calling out. Also, at the end A tells Z that next time, just ask. I would compare this to students asking permission for various things. I think it would be fun to base a list of class rules off of this book.
2. I think this is a good book for preschoolers and kindergartners.
3. This book is about the day Z wanted to go first in the alphabet. In AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First, all of the letters in the alphabet have a new place, except for H because she "happens to like where [she] always is." The book relates each letter to one or more words and pictures throughout the chaos.
4. I like that this book put a humorous spin on the average alphabet book. I found myself pausing though wondering which letters were left, but I think kids will enjoy that the alphabet is not in order. I really liked that the letters were characters and that Alethea Kontis gave them their own personalities and opinions.
5. I could use this book to talk about the alphabet, of course, but I think there are a few lessons within the book I could also discuss. One thing I would do with the book is talk about routines with my class. Throughout the school year the everyday routine can get a bit boring and too repetitive. I would read this book to the children and compare it our daily schedules. I would then move around our schedule for that day a little to offer some variety. Another use I would do is talk about class rules. While reading, I would point out how Z, P, and H take things into their own hands and go in their own order. I would compare that to not raising your hand and calling out. Also, at the end A tells Z that next time, just ask. I would compare this to students asking permission for various things. I think it would be fun to base a list of class rules off of this book.
July 5, 2017
Z is tired of always going last when the alphabet letters line up and put on a show. So instead, Z insists on going first and all the letters start to show up backwards. But soon, P shows up out of (reverse) order and it becomes a chaotic free-for-all.
What I like most about this is the chaos. This is another book that plays with the rigidity of the alphabet's order and it does so in a playful, humorous way. Still, a child who really wants to track what's going on can follow along the bottom of the page. The "new" order is indicated there as the book progresses.
The visual details are great, and my kids love labeling all the things that start with the various letters. But what sells me on this book is the sight of my kids laughing. Both of them really get the overall joke. Humor based on things being out of place is an important type of humor to get (it comes up a lot). It's nice to see how easily anxiety/rigidity can be funneled into laughter with a skilled writer and illustrator at the helm.
That said, I do skip over or heavily edit down a lot of the back-and-forth comic chatting between the letters as they discuss who's turn is next and why and how unusual this all is. These parts involve a large number of characters and are just too confusing for my kids to track.
****
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is from a longer blog post about great books for kids with autism who REALLY love the alphabet: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/obsesse...
What I like most about this is the chaos. This is another book that plays with the rigidity of the alphabet's order and it does so in a playful, humorous way. Still, a child who really wants to track what's going on can follow along the bottom of the page. The "new" order is indicated there as the book progresses.
The visual details are great, and my kids love labeling all the things that start with the various letters. But what sells me on this book is the sight of my kids laughing. Both of them really get the overall joke. Humor based on things being out of place is an important type of humor to get (it comes up a lot). It's nice to see how easily anxiety/rigidity can be funneled into laughter with a skilled writer and illustrator at the helm.
That said, I do skip over or heavily edit down a lot of the back-and-forth comic chatting between the letters as they discuss who's turn is next and why and how unusual this all is. These parts involve a large number of characters and are just too confusing for my kids to track.
****
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is from a longer blog post about great books for kids with autism who REALLY love the alphabet: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/obsesse...
December 8, 2018
Grade Levels = Pre-K, 1-2
Summary:
The ends of the alphabet were starting to get annoyed that they were always last, so they decided it was only fair if they went first this time. Some of the letters are always going to be in the middle, while others were always going to be at the end. So some of the letters decide to switch places and go randomly.
Review:
Humorous book to read to children as the letters get confused about their order. The illustrations did a great job incorporating all the different words that can be idenitfy with the letters of the alphabet. Children will have so much fun trying to find all the images in the book while learning the letters.
Possible Lesson Plans:
Teachers can ask students to pick a letter and write a short poem where they use as many adjectives/verbs to describe the letter as possible. This is a great way for students to practice their letters and be creative. Their letters have a chance to come alive and become something real. This might be too advanced, but teachers can ask students to identify words that sound the same but have different letters. They can then start a word wall to help students understand the difference. Teachers can also introduce tongue twisters for fun to show students how to use letters of the alphabet in a fun way!
Summary:
The ends of the alphabet were starting to get annoyed that they were always last, so they decided it was only fair if they went first this time. Some of the letters are always going to be in the middle, while others were always going to be at the end. So some of the letters decide to switch places and go randomly.
Review:
Humorous book to read to children as the letters get confused about their order. The illustrations did a great job incorporating all the different words that can be idenitfy with the letters of the alphabet. Children will have so much fun trying to find all the images in the book while learning the letters.
Possible Lesson Plans:
Teachers can ask students to pick a letter and write a short poem where they use as many adjectives/verbs to describe the letter as possible. This is a great way for students to practice their letters and be creative. Their letters have a chance to come alive and become something real. This might be too advanced, but teachers can ask students to identify words that sound the same but have different letters. They can then start a word wall to help students understand the difference. Teachers can also introduce tongue twisters for fun to show students how to use letters of the alphabet in a fun way!
October 20, 2017
1. This book has received no awards to date.
2. This book is appropriate for preschool-1st grade.
3. The book begins with the character A about to say “A is for Apple.” However, he is interrupted by Z who claims him and Zebra are tired of being last, convincing A they should get to go first this time. Overhearing this, all the letters decide that they want to come earlier in the alphabet, which leads to chaos. By the end, Z feels that is better off if they stay in order so they do not get confused as to where they belong.
4. I really loved this book because it suggests a new order for the alphabet, which is how many schools prefer to teach it; by the interest and usage of common letters. While the letters are in their new order, it is clear that all of the letters still have a turn within the alphabet. I like the moral behind the story because it shows that if one person gets what they want, then it could lead to everyone wanting something different.
5. Two in-class uses for this book:
-The story can be used as an interactive activity, giving each child a letter and having them rearrange themselves as the story proceeds.
-This book can be used to teach the correct order of the alphabet
2. This book is appropriate for preschool-1st grade.
3. The book begins with the character A about to say “A is for Apple.” However, he is interrupted by Z who claims him and Zebra are tired of being last, convincing A they should get to go first this time. Overhearing this, all the letters decide that they want to come earlier in the alphabet, which leads to chaos. By the end, Z feels that is better off if they stay in order so they do not get confused as to where they belong.
4. I really loved this book because it suggests a new order for the alphabet, which is how many schools prefer to teach it; by the interest and usage of common letters. While the letters are in their new order, it is clear that all of the letters still have a turn within the alphabet. I like the moral behind the story because it shows that if one person gets what they want, then it could lead to everyone wanting something different.
5. Two in-class uses for this book:
-The story can be used as an interactive activity, giving each child a letter and having them rearrange themselves as the story proceeds.
-This book can be used to teach the correct order of the alphabet
September 14, 2022
"Alpha Oops!", written by Alethea Kontis and illustrated by Bob Kolar, is a charming book that wonders what would happen if the alphabet were in a different order. The titular character, Z, launches the plot by expressing to the other letters that it would like to go first in the alphabet for a change. Confused but willing to oblige Z, the rest of the alphabet goes along. Chaos ensues as letters go out of order, use more and more words to describe themselves, and sometimes even go in order to confuse us even more. Eventually the letters of the alphabet realize that there is a reason they are ordered the way they are: to avoid confusion. The illustrations by Bob Kolar are stellar. He finely depicts every image that Kontis throws his way, my favorite being that C stands for cat and canary in cages. While this may seem like a simple book on the surface, there is much humor, and so it can be enjoyed at many different age levels. I would recommend it for the First Grade.
June 12, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
I love this fun twist on an alphabet book. In this one, the letters go whenever they feel like it instead of alphabetical order. Beautiful chaos ensues, full of subtle messages about trying new things and doing things in a different way (as well as asking nicely for what you want).
Fun illustrations and dialogue. This is a wonderful book. At the bottom of every page, each letter is superimposed onto the letter space that it took, allowing kids to see the actual order of the letters and the order used in the book. Very fun. Great way to test letter identification and expose kids to words that start with each letter.
I love this fun twist on an alphabet book. In this one, the letters go whenever they feel like it instead of alphabetical order. Beautiful chaos ensues, full of subtle messages about trying new things and doing things in a different way (as well as asking nicely for what you want).
Fun illustrations and dialogue. This is a wonderful book. At the bottom of every page, each letter is superimposed onto the letter space that it took, allowing kids to see the actual order of the letters and the order used in the book. Very fun. Great way to test letter identification and expose kids to words that start with each letter.
February 24, 2019
AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First is a cute story of how Z didn't feel like being at the end of the alphabet so all the letters go in a different order. The letters end up getting mixed up and then jealous when other letters try to pick more than one thing to go with their letter. In the end, A tells Z to just ask next time. This book is perfect for K-2 as it shows the alphabet and teaches kids about the order of the alphabet. This book also has phenomenal pictures and would be great for teaching kids about different words that start with different letters. I would most definitely use this in my classroom. Although, nowhere in the book does it show the correct order of the alphabet which could be problematic for younger readers.
February 1, 2022
I thought this book was really funny! The alphabet was putting on a show and Z wanted to go first instead of A. Then some of the letters wanted to mix it up even more because some of them are stuck in the middle so all the letters were going out of order whenever they wanted to go. My favorite part was "letter F is for flowers. And Fairies." then letter V said "hey, i didn't get to pick out two things. i think i should get another turn" and letter X was sad and said "i don't have much to choose from" V was about to go on stage to go again and letter Z holds him back and said "no more turns" and G says "ooh, V is for violence" Loved this book! Really funny!
September 11, 2017
This awesome picture book is about the letters of the alphabet putting on a talent show. Z is upset that he always has to come last in line, and so decides to cut to the front. After that, all the letters fall out of order and wonderful chaos ensues. This is a fun tool to use for letter recognition. It also gives multiple examples of words that go with each letter.
I had a kindergarten student with autism and this book was his favorite thing in the world. He loved explaining which letters were out of order to me and then telling me how they should be.
-Miss Emily
I had a kindergarten student with autism and this book was his favorite thing in the world. He loved explaining which letters were out of order to me and then telling me how they should be.
-Miss Emily
December 1, 2017
1. None.
2. Pre k- Kindergarten.
3. All the letters have an opinion about how the alphabet should start, especially Z. Z is tired of always being last and wants to be first for a change. All the other letters agree, but it is still chaos.
4. This is a imaginative alphabet book. It is filled with bright and colorful illustrations. It provides the perfect amount of humor for children.
5. Students can try saying the alphabet backwards. Student can sing alphabet by starting with the first letter that starts their name.
2. Pre k- Kindergarten.
3. All the letters have an opinion about how the alphabet should start, especially Z. Z is tired of always being last and wants to be first for a change. All the other letters agree, but it is still chaos.
4. This is a imaginative alphabet book. It is filled with bright and colorful illustrations. It provides the perfect amount of humor for children.
5. Students can try saying the alphabet backwards. Student can sing alphabet by starting with the first letter that starts their name.
May 1, 2018
For Ages: 3-6
Summary: A humorous story that brings the alphabet letters to life with some of them wanting a new place in the alphabet. The story explains some of the reasoning for their place and makes sure to put the letters back in order.
Review: A very comical story that is cute and exciting but can be rather confusing and hard to follow.
Classroom Use: Could be used in a preschool or Kindergarten classroom to asses that the children understand how the alphabet works.
Summary: A humorous story that brings the alphabet letters to life with some of them wanting a new place in the alphabet. The story explains some of the reasoning for their place and makes sure to put the letters back in order.
Review: A very comical story that is cute and exciting but can be rather confusing and hard to follow.
Classroom Use: Could be used in a preschool or Kindergarten classroom to asses that the children understand how the alphabet works.
August 11, 2018
Z is tired of going last, so he demands to be first.
It starts out fine, but then other letters want to not be in their normal middle spot either. Things are all re-arranged.
The letters argue about how many turns they get and how many things they can say.
Z gets bossy.
After a hunt to make sure they didn't skip anyone, A gives a triumphant finale.
It starts out fine, but then other letters want to not be in their normal middle spot either. Things are all re-arranged.
The letters argue about how many turns they get and how many things they can say.
Z gets bossy.
After a hunt to make sure they didn't skip anyone, A gives a triumphant finale.
January 10, 2021
Fun and Silly ABC book!
This was a holiday gift and it's quickly become a favorite of my little ones (5 and learning to read and 2 and learning his letters). They have a blast with the mixed up letters and ask to read it several times a day. I would highly recommend for any preschoolers or anyone looking for a fun but not quite formulaic ABC (or should I say ZYX) book.
This was a holiday gift and it's quickly become a favorite of my little ones (5 and learning to read and 2 and learning his letters). They have a blast with the mixed up letters and ask to read it several times a day. I would highly recommend for any preschoolers or anyone looking for a fun but not quite formulaic ABC (or should I say ZYX) book.
January 29, 2025
I think this book is fun and cute, but I think it should serve mainly as entertainment. It is a good way to introduce the concept on chaos to young children but aside from that it’s just an alphabet book. However I think it is unique and stands out amongst other alphabet book, and I enjoyed the mixed up alphabet line across the bottom of the book.
July 1, 2018
I would not read this book to younger elementary grades, 3rd is youngest I would go, as it is not just the alphabet going backwards, but the alphabet in all sorts of mixed up craziness. Having said that, this was a cute book with cute illustrations.
October 6, 2018
Concept Book 2006
I love how this book twists the idea of the ABC’s and makes it humorous. I would use this in my classroom for a younger grade to show why the alphabet is in order, but for older grades, it could just be a fun read!
I love how this book twists the idea of the ABC’s and makes it humorous. I would use this in my classroom for a younger grade to show why the alphabet is in order, but for older grades, it could just be a fun read!
October 26, 2020
Z is tired of being last in all of the alphabet activities, and some letters are tired of being in the middle. So in "Alpha Oops!" the letters go out of order. Although it was cute, it is not the best for teaching, or even reviewing the alphabet with how much there is going on.
August 3, 2018
unconventional alphabet story
excellent teaching moment with letter 'V'
loved it
excellent teaching moment with letter 'V'
loved it
November 13, 2018
Adore this book! It’s clever, funny and the best way to explore letters!
November 14, 2018
Has some really funny moments, but is a little long for storytime and might confuse some of the littles who are still learning. Would be really fun for some of the older kiddos.
November 19, 2018
cute, better for preschool and up
January 24, 2019
Fun story about a mixed up alphabet. Great book for preschool/kindergarten.
March 13, 2019
These letters have personality!!! The bold colorful illustrations go perfectly with the text.
April 21, 2019
A favorite of our kids when they were little.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews