What do you think?
Rate this book
A Was Once an Apple Pie
Hand painted cut paper artwork by Caldecott winner Suse MacDonald illustrates this adaptation of Edward Lear's classic ABC rhyme.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Edward Lear
807 books214 followersEdward Lear was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, who is known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry and prose and especially his limericks, a form he popularised.
His principal areas of work as an artist were threefold: as a draughtsman employed to make illustrations of birds and animals; making coloured drawings during his journeys, which he reworked later, sometimes as plates for his travel books; and as a (minor) illustrator of Alfred Tennyson's poems.
As an author, he is known principally for his popular nonsense collections of poems, songs, short stories, botanical drawings, recipes and alphabets. He also composed and published twelve musical settings of Tennyson's poetry.
His principal areas of work as an artist were threefold: as a draughtsman employed to make illustrations of birds and animals; making coloured drawings during his journeys, which he reworked later, sometimes as plates for his travel books; and as a (minor) illustrator of Alfred Tennyson's poems.
As an author, he is known principally for his popular nonsense collections of poems, songs, short stories, botanical drawings, recipes and alphabets. He also composed and published twelve musical settings of Tennyson's poetry.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 23, 2017
I was surprised by this one. So silly and so perfect. It might be just another ABC book, but it's sillier than all the others.
My one complaint as I read it was that I wished each letter had its own page or spread. Also, I would love to see this in board book format.
My one complaint as I read it was that I wished each letter had its own page or spread. Also, I would love to see this in board book format.
August 26, 2013
This is a wonderful alphabet book for ECE readers. It not only shows letters and things that start with those letters, but it also makes up rhyming words that go along with these objects. This is great for letter knowledge, phonological awareness, print awareness, and just plain fun! A refreshing take on the traditional alphabet book!
October 29, 2018
1. Awards received: none
2. Appropriate grade levels: Pre-k to Kindergarten
3. Original Summary: "A Was Once an Apple Pie" is a book of poems adapted from the originals by Edward Lear. Each letter has an illustration for something beginning with that letter accompanied by a short poem with rhymes. The illustrations are colorful and engaging.
4. Original Review: "A Was Once an Apple Pie" is definitely a good way to get early learners into learning the alphabet. The repetition of the rhyme scheme along with the fun illustrations will make learning fun and easy! I do find that some of the references are a bit outdated like "ink" for the letter "i."
5. This book could help beginning learners with alphabet instruction. The letters are in alphabetical order and each include a picture of something starting with that letter which will help the letters be remembered more easily.
This book could also be used to help teach rhyming words. Each letter poem has a number of rhyming words to help children start to learn how rhyming words sound together.
2. Appropriate grade levels: Pre-k to Kindergarten
3. Original Summary: "A Was Once an Apple Pie" is a book of poems adapted from the originals by Edward Lear. Each letter has an illustration for something beginning with that letter accompanied by a short poem with rhymes. The illustrations are colorful and engaging.
4. Original Review: "A Was Once an Apple Pie" is definitely a good way to get early learners into learning the alphabet. The repetition of the rhyme scheme along with the fun illustrations will make learning fun and easy! I do find that some of the references are a bit outdated like "ink" for the letter "i."
5. This book could help beginning learners with alphabet instruction. The letters are in alphabetical order and each include a picture of something starting with that letter which will help the letters be remembered more easily.
This book could also be used to help teach rhyming words. Each letter poem has a number of rhyming words to help children start to learn how rhyming words sound together.
October 7, 2019
Genre: Picture Book - Alphabet Book
Awards: None
Audience: PreK - 1st grade
A. This book goes through the alphabet and has picture examples for each letter. For example, for the letter G, there are pictures of geese on the page.
B. The illustrations in this book are very vibrant and colorful. The illustrator used color to make the book more engaging for a young audience to follow since there are so many pretty colors throughout the book.
C. I would use this book with a class of students to teach them the alphabet. The book also has rhyming words for each letter (ex. the letter D has "dolly, molly, polly" on the page), so I could also use this book to teach students about rhymes.
D. Where did the little mousey live? The little mousey lived in the housy.
Awards: None
Audience: PreK - 1st grade
A. This book goes through the alphabet and has picture examples for each letter. For example, for the letter G, there are pictures of geese on the page.
B. The illustrations in this book are very vibrant and colorful. The illustrator used color to make the book more engaging for a young audience to follow since there are so many pretty colors throughout the book.
C. I would use this book with a class of students to teach them the alphabet. The book also has rhyming words for each letter (ex. the letter D has "dolly, molly, polly" on the page), so I could also use this book to teach students about rhymes.
D. Where did the little mousey live? The little mousey lived in the housy.
February 18, 2019
Genre: Picture Book-Alphabet Book (Free Choice)
Awards: N/A
Grades: Pre-K-1
A. I know this book is an alphabet picture book because it goes through the entire alphabet while showing examples of each, accompanied by things that rhyme with it.
B. This book uses great texture on the characters and objects. It makes all of the aspects more real, such as almost being able to smell the apply pie and feel the bears fur.
C. I would use this book to build language with rhymes and to show the full alphabet in the world around us.
D. What rhymed with the G word, goose, in the book? Goosey > moosey.
Awards: N/A
Grades: Pre-K-1
A. I know this book is an alphabet picture book because it goes through the entire alphabet while showing examples of each, accompanied by things that rhyme with it.
B. This book uses great texture on the characters and objects. It makes all of the aspects more real, such as almost being able to smell the apply pie and feel the bears fur.
C. I would use this book to build language with rhymes and to show the full alphabet in the world around us.
D. What rhymed with the G word, goose, in the book? Goosey > moosey.
April 2, 2019
1. Awards received: N/A
2. Appropriate grade levels: Pre-k to Kindergarten
3. Original Summary: A fun alphabet book with wacky rhymes and fun alliteration. Tongue twisting and humorous, Lear successfully writes an engaging book to help familiar children with their letters.
4. Original Review: I love how silly the rhymes are in this book and the Illustrations are fabulously fun. The goofy nature of this book makes it an engaging read
5.Children could be encouraged to draw their own alphabet characters along with a list of adjectives starting with the same letter- real or made-up.
2. Appropriate grade levels: Pre-k to Kindergarten
3. Original Summary: A fun alphabet book with wacky rhymes and fun alliteration. Tongue twisting and humorous, Lear successfully writes an engaging book to help familiar children with their letters.
4. Original Review: I love how silly the rhymes are in this book and the Illustrations are fabulously fun. The goofy nature of this book makes it an engaging read
5.Children could be encouraged to draw their own alphabet characters along with a list of adjectives starting with the same letter- real or made-up.
February 19, 2020
Mikayla Presley (5 stars)
A was Once an Apple Pie
Genre: Alphabet book
Awards:n/a
Audience: Preschool- 2nd
A was Once an Apple Pie is a book that goes through the entire alphabet and gives a phrase and object for each letter of the alphabet.
The texture of the book is interesting. Each picture in the book has a certain texture that brings life to the book. The illustrator of “A Was Once an Apple Pie” uses the texture adds life to the book which in turn adds life to the story of each letter.
I would use this book in a small group for rhyming words and letter recognition.
A was Once an Apple Pie
Genre: Alphabet book
Awards:n/a
Audience: Preschool- 2nd
A was Once an Apple Pie is a book that goes through the entire alphabet and gives a phrase and object for each letter of the alphabet.
The texture of the book is interesting. Each picture in the book has a certain texture that brings life to the book. The illustrator of “A Was Once an Apple Pie” uses the texture adds life to the book which in turn adds life to the story of each letter.
I would use this book in a small group for rhyming words and letter recognition.
October 25, 2020
Alphabet books are typically geared toward children that are becoming familiar with the alphabet and expanding their vocabularies. This book does not work well for that. The poem that this book is based on uses nonsense words to make rhymes, which is very unhelpful for young ones trying to learn words. I did like the illustrations!
September 27, 2017
This is a letter identification book, and it's awesome! For example:
A was one an apple pie,
pidy, widy, tidy, pidy,
nice insidy, apple pie!
This is great.
A was one an apple pie,
pidy, widy, tidy, pidy,
nice insidy, apple pie!
This is great.
October 24, 2017
Genre: Fiction
This book is great for Kindergarten. One unique feature of this text is the alphabet is listed throughout the book with many words in the sentence starting with that letter.
This book is great for Kindergarten. One unique feature of this text is the alphabet is listed throughout the book with many words in the sentence starting with that letter.
May 6, 2018
A silly, rhymy alphabet book that was thoroughly enjoyed by the kindergarten.
February 17, 2019
Funny poems using rhyming invented words. Had my almost 3 year old in giggles.
February 28, 2019
I always liked Edward Lear. Some rare words, big pictures.
May 30, 2019
not a fan
rhymes
but hard to read aloud
rhymes
but hard to read aloud
October 14, 2019
I might use this for a final fast read book.
October 30, 2019
A rhyming book based around the alphabet. A fun way to engage EYFS and KS1 into rhyming and learning the alphabet.
December 10, 2019
The incessant rhyming!!! 🥴
February 8, 2020
I love the nonsense of Edward Lear's alphabet.
June 17, 2021
I found this book annoying AF. The rhymes were dumb and irritating. This one is going back to the library after reading once.
February 26, 2023
This book can be a very good tool because it uses so much rhyming! It is also a very silly book, i read it to my pre-k kids and they could not stop laughing it!
June 1, 2023
Rhyming book that teaches the alphabet. Bright, basic pictures that are perfect for preschoolers.
May 26, 2025
It was a different illustrator. Very very cute!! Evelyn paid pretty close attention and did not cry!!
July 6, 2026
Fun rhyming book to learn ABCs.
June 2, 2016
Title: A Was Once An Apple Pie
Author: Edward Lear
Illustrator: Suse Macdonald
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Rhyming
Opening line/sentence:
A was once an apple pie,
Pidy,widy,tidy,pidy
Nice insidy, apple pie!
Brief Book Summary:
The book progresses through the letters of the alphabet providing a word that starts with the same letter and then a rhyme. The letters of the alphabet are linked together through the illustrations on the open pages.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Karin Snelson (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 22))
Caldecott Honor artist MacDonald has adapted and illustrated Edward Lear's beloved 1871 nonsensical alphabet.This engaging read-aloud is certainly fun; Lear's adapted jolly singsong alphabet goes Technicolor with Eric Carle-style cut paper collage illustrations, mostly of friendly-looking animals. Unfortunately, however, some of the oomph has been extracted from the wonderfully quirky, time-tested poem. The Great King Xerxes entry, so mighty and intriguing in the original, is replaced by a more milquetoast rhyme about an ox (and no, ox is does not start with x.) Cat replaces Lear's cake with a string of adjectives (catty, batty, matty, catty) instead of the clever, action-oriented "caky / baky / maky / caky / taky / caky, Little-cake!" Pump replaces pig, unicorn replaces urn, and zebra replaces zinc, as if children won't be intrigued by objects they may have never seen. Poetry purists, reach instead for Vladimir Radunsky's An Edward Lear Alphabet. Nonpurist book lovers and preschool storytime readers, embrace this colorful introduction to Lear's classic poem.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Tina Dybvik (Children's Literature)
These read-aloud nonsense rhymes are a nice introduction to birds and animals with a few inanimate objects also thrown in (including the title of the rhyme). This is a classic alphabet book with no story line. It is all about fun with pictures and words. Hand-painted illustrations appear on every page in primary colors that appeal to young children. Preschoolers will recognize common images like cats and dogs and learn about less familiar creatures like eels and quail. The list-filled poems are easy to memorize and encourage reading alone, and a string of rhyming words on every page-- nesty, besty, zesty, nesty --promotes sounding out of the first letter. It is a nice book for teachers to place in their reading centers, or for grandparents to have on hand when the kids come to visit. There is not much to dislike in this classic text, and MacDonald s illustrations are sure to please.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of these reviews touch upon the fact that the book makes great use of animals to help illustrate letters. Children seem to have an innate interest in animals of all shapes and sizes, and using them to help teach letters could be a powerful tool. Both reviews also touch upon the illustrations in the book and how they contribute a positive, playful atmosphere to the book. The reviews differ however, on how they feel the string of rhyming words on every page impacts the reader. Snelson writes that Macdonald took away from the original rhymes, while Dybvik writes that the words add to the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was written with its audience in mind. The author knows that this is a book to help young students try to grasp the abstract concept of words being represented on a page, and the style is kept simple to accommodate this task. The rhyming sequences on each page are an interesting addition. Using these, you could teach your children about rhyming and they could also work on sounding words out as the ending of each word is the same. Because the ending of each word in the sequence is the same, it frees up the child’s mind to focus on just the first letter and what sound it makes. As with any alphabet book, the plot is minimal as to make sure the children are focusing on the letters and aren’t distracted by anything else.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This story would be ideal for young children, I would say mostly kindergarten or preschool aged. One lesson the teacher could possibly carry out would be giving the children cut outs of the letters and having each child raise their letter when the book got to them. Additionally, each child could draw what their letter corresponds to after reading the book which could help the child with letter identification.
Author: Edward Lear
Illustrator: Suse Macdonald
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Rhyming
Opening line/sentence:
A was once an apple pie,
Pidy,widy,tidy,pidy
Nice insidy, apple pie!
Brief Book Summary:
The book progresses through the letters of the alphabet providing a word that starts with the same letter and then a rhyme. The letters of the alphabet are linked together through the illustrations on the open pages.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Karin Snelson (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 22))
Caldecott Honor artist MacDonald has adapted and illustrated Edward Lear's beloved 1871 nonsensical alphabet.This engaging read-aloud is certainly fun; Lear's adapted jolly singsong alphabet goes Technicolor with Eric Carle-style cut paper collage illustrations, mostly of friendly-looking animals. Unfortunately, however, some of the oomph has been extracted from the wonderfully quirky, time-tested poem. The Great King Xerxes entry, so mighty and intriguing in the original, is replaced by a more milquetoast rhyme about an ox (and no, ox is does not start with x.) Cat replaces Lear's cake with a string of adjectives (catty, batty, matty, catty) instead of the clever, action-oriented "caky / baky / maky / caky / taky / caky, Little-cake!" Pump replaces pig, unicorn replaces urn, and zebra replaces zinc, as if children won't be intrigued by objects they may have never seen. Poetry purists, reach instead for Vladimir Radunsky's An Edward Lear Alphabet. Nonpurist book lovers and preschool storytime readers, embrace this colorful introduction to Lear's classic poem.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Tina Dybvik (Children's Literature)
These read-aloud nonsense rhymes are a nice introduction to birds and animals with a few inanimate objects also thrown in (including the title of the rhyme). This is a classic alphabet book with no story line. It is all about fun with pictures and words. Hand-painted illustrations appear on every page in primary colors that appeal to young children. Preschoolers will recognize common images like cats and dogs and learn about less familiar creatures like eels and quail. The list-filled poems are easy to memorize and encourage reading alone, and a string of rhyming words on every page-- nesty, besty, zesty, nesty --promotes sounding out of the first letter. It is a nice book for teachers to place in their reading centers, or for grandparents to have on hand when the kids come to visit. There is not much to dislike in this classic text, and MacDonald s illustrations are sure to please.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of these reviews touch upon the fact that the book makes great use of animals to help illustrate letters. Children seem to have an innate interest in animals of all shapes and sizes, and using them to help teach letters could be a powerful tool. Both reviews also touch upon the illustrations in the book and how they contribute a positive, playful atmosphere to the book. The reviews differ however, on how they feel the string of rhyming words on every page impacts the reader. Snelson writes that Macdonald took away from the original rhymes, while Dybvik writes that the words add to the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was written with its audience in mind. The author knows that this is a book to help young students try to grasp the abstract concept of words being represented on a page, and the style is kept simple to accommodate this task. The rhyming sequences on each page are an interesting addition. Using these, you could teach your children about rhyming and they could also work on sounding words out as the ending of each word is the same. Because the ending of each word in the sequence is the same, it frees up the child’s mind to focus on just the first letter and what sound it makes. As with any alphabet book, the plot is minimal as to make sure the children are focusing on the letters and aren’t distracted by anything else.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This story would be ideal for young children, I would say mostly kindergarten or preschool aged. One lesson the teacher could possibly carry out would be giving the children cut outs of the letters and having each child raise their letter when the book got to them. Additionally, each child could draw what their letter corresponds to after reading the book which could help the child with letter identification.
Read
October 16, 2015Title: A was once an Apple Pie
Author: Edward Lear
Illustrator: Suse Macdonald
Genre: Alphabet book, Concept book
Theme(s): animals, alphabet, and poetry
Opening line/sentence: A was once an apple pie, pidy, widy, tidy, pity, nice insidy, apple pie.
Brief Book Summary: This book goes through the letters of the alphabet. Each verse has a different animal and short rhyme scheme that follows. The book starts with A and this is the only letter that does not have an animal but instead apple pie is used to describe the letter A. The book ends at the with a little zebra and rhyme that as follows “ zeebie, deebie, heebie, jeebie, weebie, meebie, little zebra”.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (Horn Books)
Scholastic/Orchard (Scholastic Trade Division) 2005.
(3) PS Adapted by Suse MacDonald. This adaptation of Lear's alphabet ditty retains most of the original verses but adds more animals and changes some unfamiliar words (e.g., Lear's urn is now a unicorn). Purists may complain, but others will enjoy this updated version of Lear's silly-sounding nonsense rhyme. MacDonald's eye-catching cut-paper illustrations are set on dramatic white space.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (Publishers weekly)
A was once an apple pie, / pidy/ widy/ tidy/ nice insidy/ Apple pie.” SO begins Lear’s alphabet, a beguiling collection of verses that stretch poetry, language and meaning but wisely opt for silliness instead of outright nonsense. The result is a rhythmic, lilting progression full of simple, childlike image and the illustrations are a happy match, containing hints of whimsy that complement without overpowering the playfulness of the rhymes. They have a clean crisp, yet varied design and a quietly folksy feel. Ages 2-up.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews talk about the silliness of Lear’s rhyme schemes. I agree, this book is a great way to introduce the Alphabet to children. It takes the an original concept and adds images, animals, and words that will make a student want to flip to the next page.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is clearly designed for young readers. The letters on each page are bolded to help show the book is an alphabet book. The illustrations are realistic, big and bright. All three of those attributions are what makes this a great fit for younger readers. The rhyme schemes are silly, but do not take away from learning the letters.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be used in two different ways. The first way is to introduce the alphabet to young children. The other way this book could be used in schools is to teach students about rhymes schemes. Each letter has it’s own rhyme scheme in addition to being the first letter of the animal on the page.
Author: Edward Lear
Illustrator: Suse Macdonald
Genre: Alphabet book, Concept book
Theme(s): animals, alphabet, and poetry
Opening line/sentence: A was once an apple pie, pidy, widy, tidy, pity, nice insidy, apple pie.
Brief Book Summary: This book goes through the letters of the alphabet. Each verse has a different animal and short rhyme scheme that follows. The book starts with A and this is the only letter that does not have an animal but instead apple pie is used to describe the letter A. The book ends at the with a little zebra and rhyme that as follows “ zeebie, deebie, heebie, jeebie, weebie, meebie, little zebra”.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (Horn Books)
Scholastic/Orchard (Scholastic Trade Division) 2005.
(3) PS Adapted by Suse MacDonald. This adaptation of Lear's alphabet ditty retains most of the original verses but adds more animals and changes some unfamiliar words (e.g., Lear's urn is now a unicorn). Purists may complain, but others will enjoy this updated version of Lear's silly-sounding nonsense rhyme. MacDonald's eye-catching cut-paper illustrations are set on dramatic white space.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (Publishers weekly)
A was once an apple pie, / pidy/ widy/ tidy/ nice insidy/ Apple pie.” SO begins Lear’s alphabet, a beguiling collection of verses that stretch poetry, language and meaning but wisely opt for silliness instead of outright nonsense. The result is a rhythmic, lilting progression full of simple, childlike image and the illustrations are a happy match, containing hints of whimsy that complement without overpowering the playfulness of the rhymes. They have a clean crisp, yet varied design and a quietly folksy feel. Ages 2-up.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews talk about the silliness of Lear’s rhyme schemes. I agree, this book is a great way to introduce the Alphabet to children. It takes the an original concept and adds images, animals, and words that will make a student want to flip to the next page.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is clearly designed for young readers. The letters on each page are bolded to help show the book is an alphabet book. The illustrations are realistic, big and bright. All three of those attributions are what makes this a great fit for younger readers. The rhyme schemes are silly, but do not take away from learning the letters.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be used in two different ways. The first way is to introduce the alphabet to young children. The other way this book could be used in schools is to teach students about rhymes schemes. Each letter has it’s own rhyme scheme in addition to being the first letter of the animal on the page.
February 4, 2020
o Genre: Picture books - Alphabet or counting
o Awards: No awards were given
o Grades: Pre 5- 2nd
o Why it’s in this category: This is an alphabet picture book. Each page has a letter with a sentence using words that start with that letter.
o Color: the visual direction and pattern of the brush strokes used in the pictures shows the variety of the colors and shows the importance of the pictures illustrating the letters. Everything else is white, so that the child can focus on the letters and pictures.
o How to use it: This would be a good tool to teach the alphabet.
o Awards: No awards were given
o Grades: Pre 5- 2nd
o Why it’s in this category: This is an alphabet picture book. Each page has a letter with a sentence using words that start with that letter.
o Color: the visual direction and pattern of the brush strokes used in the pictures shows the variety of the colors and shows the importance of the pictures illustrating the letters. Everything else is white, so that the child can focus on the letters and pictures.
o How to use it: This would be a good tool to teach the alphabet.
February 24, 2026
poetry k-1st
This is such a great book for students who are learning to read. This is a great read-along book for people learning the alphabet. It has rhyme and letters; you can practice your letter sounds while you read it. I would definatly resoment to have around in any young classrooms.
This is such a great book for students who are learning to read. This is a great read-along book for people learning the alphabet. It has rhyme and letters; you can practice your letter sounds while you read it. I would definatly resoment to have around in any young classrooms.
February 22, 2016
Handpainted cut paper artwork by Caldecott winner Suse Macdonald illustrates this stunning adaptation of Edward Lear's classic ABC rhyme.
A was once an apple pie,
Piedy
Widey
Tidy
Piedy
Nice insidey, APPLE PIE!
Suse MacDonald adapts Edward Lear's fun-to-say, alphabet rhyme in a picture book that combines the classic with the up-to-date. Bright, bold illustrations are created with handpainted cut paper. A Bear sniffs an Apple pie, a Cat and Dog are friends, an Eel and Fish share an ocean,
a Goose spills a bottle of Ink, while a Hen laughs and later a Mouse is observed by an Owl in a Nest!
A stunning book!
Notes
Edward Lear was born in Holloway, England, to Jeremiah (a stockbroker) and Ann Lear, tutored at home by his sister, and briefly attended the Royal Academy schools. Both an author and an illustrator, he earned his living as an artist from the age of 15, mainly by doing landscapes. What he is remembered for is his nonsense books, especially his popularization of the limerick. Along with Lewis Carroll, he is considered to be the founder of nonsense poetry.
In addition to his limericks, he created longer nonsense poems. The best---and best known---is The Jumblies, in which the title characters go to sea in a sieve; it is a brilliant, profound, silly, and sad expression of the need to leave the security of the known world and experience the wonder and danger of the unknown. His other most notable work is The Owl and the Pussy Cat, a less complex poem whose title characters also go to sea. Lear produced humorous alphabets and botany books as well.
His wordplay, involving puns, neologisms, portmanteau words, and anticlimax, retains its vitality today and has influenced such contemporary writers of children's nonsense verse as Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, and Laura Richards.
Subject:
Children's poetry, American
English poetry
A was once an apple pie,
Piedy
Widey
Tidy
Piedy
Nice insidey, APPLE PIE!
Suse MacDonald adapts Edward Lear's fun-to-say, alphabet rhyme in a picture book that combines the classic with the up-to-date. Bright, bold illustrations are created with handpainted cut paper. A Bear sniffs an Apple pie, a Cat and Dog are friends, an Eel and Fish share an ocean,
a Goose spills a bottle of Ink, while a Hen laughs and later a Mouse is observed by an Owl in a Nest!
A stunning book!
Notes
Edward Lear was born in Holloway, England, to Jeremiah (a stockbroker) and Ann Lear, tutored at home by his sister, and briefly attended the Royal Academy schools. Both an author and an illustrator, he earned his living as an artist from the age of 15, mainly by doing landscapes. What he is remembered for is his nonsense books, especially his popularization of the limerick. Along with Lewis Carroll, he is considered to be the founder of nonsense poetry.
In addition to his limericks, he created longer nonsense poems. The best---and best known---is The Jumblies, in which the title characters go to sea in a sieve; it is a brilliant, profound, silly, and sad expression of the need to leave the security of the known world and experience the wonder and danger of the unknown. His other most notable work is The Owl and the Pussy Cat, a less complex poem whose title characters also go to sea. Lear produced humorous alphabets and botany books as well.
His wordplay, involving puns, neologisms, portmanteau words, and anticlimax, retains its vitality today and has influenced such contemporary writers of children's nonsense verse as Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, and Laura Richards.
Subject:
Children's poetry, American
English poetry
November 21, 2019
My almost 3 year old loooooves this book. It's the perfect thing to encourage rhyming (which helps teach phonics sounds!)
September 19, 2015
1. A Was Once an Apple Pie
2. Awards: None
3. Genre: ABC book
4. No particular setting
5. This book offers two very important learning tools. The ABC's are addressed in this book by using different animals and things. Along with the ABC's rhyming is incorporated. The author takes the first word which and from there he will rhyme a series of about five to eight words. Both of these are very important concepts in the classroom. Children learn and think about words completely differently when words are involved. It opens up creativity, how to think about words, and in the future rhyming helps with spelling. This book could be good for several grade levels but I would start in preschool because it is such a good introduction to the mentioned concepts.
2. Awards: None
3. Genre: ABC book
4. No particular setting
5. This book offers two very important learning tools. The ABC's are addressed in this book by using different animals and things. Along with the ABC's rhyming is incorporated. The author takes the first word which and from there he will rhyme a series of about five to eight words. Both of these are very important concepts in the classroom. Children learn and think about words completely differently when words are involved. It opens up creativity, how to think about words, and in the future rhyming helps with spelling. This book could be good for several grade levels but I would start in preschool because it is such a good introduction to the mentioned concepts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews