The Alphabet: how Pine Cone and Pepper Pot (with the help of Tiptoes Lightly and Farmer John) learned Tom Nutcracker and June Berry their letters

by Reg Down

Summer is almost over and Tom Nutcracker is soon to go to school. But deep in the forest on his father’s farm two gnomes called Pine Cone and Pepper Pot are worried. What if the school does not teach Tom his letters properly? What if the teacher messes the alphabet up? Then Tom might spell Pine Cone as NEPI NOEC, or Pepper Pot as PREPREP TOP. He might even spell the famous Tiptoes Lightly as TOESPIT THIGLLY. That would be a disaster. A huge disaster! So the two gnomes, with the help of Tiptoes Lightly and Farmer John, set out to teach Tom his letters. Tom’s younger sister, June Berry, insists on being taught too, and never will they, or anyone else who reads this tale, forget their ABC’s – or their LMNOP’s or QRST’s either. Whether your child knows their alphabet or not Pine Cone and Pepper Pot guarantee that they will see the letters and their shapes with new and creative eyes. The Alphabet is filled with stories, songs, pictures, plays and adventures silly and bold. The Alphabet is a large format, full color book, suitable for children from late kindergarten to grade three - and for teachers or homeschoolers seeking to enrich the art of learning to write. PS - the humorous use of the word 'learned' instead of 'taught' in the subtitle, while colloquial, is correct. It dates from circa 1300 and extends into our times. I am in the learned company of Shakespeare, Disraeli, Wodehouse et al. in its use. :)

90 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2015

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this book was engaging for both my 7 year old daughter and my 4 year old son. I choose this book because my son still needs help with the names of the alphabet and he wants pictures in his book but not a baby alphabet book. My daughter was an early reader and does not need the alphabet knowledge, but this book was still so engaging and fun for both of them. It has lots of wonderful illustrations to keep them both interested. Also the chapters are short so I choose to do a letter or two at bedtime. It can be difficult to find books that they both want to read at the same time. This was a huge hit. We don't do waldorf school but I love much of the waldorf inspired literature. We have enjoyed several of Reg Downs books now. I recommend them highly.

[LivingLoveLearning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both my 6 and 8 year old enjoyed reading this one each morning. The stories are whimsical and engaging and encourages children to look around them and identify not only shapes in their environment but shapes of letters. Very fun edition to learning letters and their sounds.