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Little Concepts: A is for Apricat: Learn Your ABCs with These Deliciously Adorable Food & Critter Mash-Ups!
Learn the ABCs through cute, quirky mash-ups of animals and food, from Apricat to Zebrussels Sprout!
A is for Apricat is a fun, creative way for kids to learn their ABCs. Combining photos of fresh fruits and vegetables with cute illustrations of animals , illustrator Mauro Gatti has created a whole new kind of critter! The Apricat has the round, fuzzy body of a real apricot, with the adorable whiskers and face of a kitten. And the Turkale may have the head and neck of a turkey, but its body is fresh and green.
Each page features a letter with a new fruit or vegetable creature, paired with simple text to help kids learn the letter, the animal, and the food. A food facts page at the back explains the health benefits of each featured food with playful, kid-geared language.
Promoting healthy eating and imaginative thinking , this unique, lighthearted take on a basic concept will be enjoyed by kids and parents alike.
The Little Concepts series helps young readers learn their ABCs with adorable illustrations featuring unique animals, colors, languages, and healthy foods. From A to Z, learning the alphabet (even in Spanish and French!) has never been so surprising and engaging.
A is for Apricat is a fun, creative way for kids to learn their ABCs. Combining photos of fresh fruits and vegetables with cute illustrations of animals , illustrator Mauro Gatti has created a whole new kind of critter! The Apricat has the round, fuzzy body of a real apricot, with the adorable whiskers and face of a kitten. And the Turkale may have the head and neck of a turkey, but its body is fresh and green.
Each page features a letter with a new fruit or vegetable creature, paired with simple text to help kids learn the letter, the animal, and the food. A food facts page at the back explains the health benefits of each featured food with playful, kid-geared language.
Promoting healthy eating and imaginative thinking , this unique, lighthearted take on a basic concept will be enjoyed by kids and parents alike.
The Little Concepts series helps young readers learn their ABCs with adorable illustrations featuring unique animals, colors, languages, and healthy foods. From A to Z, learning the alphabet (even in Spanish and French!) has never been so surprising and engaging.
28 pages, Board Book
Published September 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 3, 2019
My kids are grown, but, I for sure would have purchased this book for them whilst teaching them about food and nutrition. Teaching no your children about the wisest choices of food and why should start early. This book makes it so much fun.
Turning the apricot into an AproCAT, is fun. You can also teach them colours in this very well illustrated book.
At the back there are lists of the food mentioned and what benefits it has on our bodies.
For sure this book is aimed at “children on your knee’ age, but can always be used later for reference. Some of the wording may go over a youngsters head but a well informed child is a wise child, don’t you think?
Turning the apricot into an AproCAT, is fun. You can also teach them colours in this very well illustrated book.
At the back there are lists of the food mentioned and what benefits it has on our bodies.
For sure this book is aimed at “children on your knee’ age, but can always be used later for reference. Some of the wording may go over a youngsters head but a well informed child is a wise child, don’t you think?
March 24, 2020
Everyone, please gather around and allow me to introduce you to my new obsession. It’s fruit, vegetables and other healthy yummies! It’s animals! It’s an entire alphabet of whimsical food/animal combinations and this kid in the adult suit is absolutely delighted by it. I can’t choose a favourite because they’re all so imaginative and fun. That’s fun spelled:
Oh, and if you like your educational mixed in with your cute factor, you’ll get a little fix of that too with Food Facts, bite sized (sorry, I had to get cheesy) pieces of information about every morsel you encountered as you made your way through the alphabet.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster, Jr. for granting my wish to read this book. I think I’m in need of a sequel that teaches me how to count.
Reread 24 March 2020
I’ve finally managed to get my hands on this board book (I love my library!) and it’s just as cute as I remember. My favourite letter during my reread was D:
I wish I could spell the entire alphabet to you because this book is just so smile-inducing! It’s times like this when I need to borrow someone’s child so I can see the look on their face as they figure out what’s made me so happy. Naturally they would then fall in love with the book too. Never fear, though; in the absence of a child I read this book to my mother instead. Because … that’s how I roll apparently? Needless to say, Mum loved it too and we’re both planning to reread it tomorrow.
Oh, and if you like your educational mixed in with your cute factor, you’ll get a little fix of that too with Food Facts, bite sized (sorry, I had to get cheesy) pieces of information about every morsel you encountered as you made your way through the alphabet.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster, Jr. for granting my wish to read this book. I think I’m in need of a sequel that teaches me how to count.
Reread 24 March 2020
I’ve finally managed to get my hands on this board book (I love my library!) and it’s just as cute as I remember. My favourite letter during my reread was D:
July 24, 2019
I'm a little bit confused as to who the audience for this book is supposed to be. A is for Apricat is a clever alphabet book that combines animals with foods. Are toddlers learning their ABCs really going to "get" the Kangaroot (kangaroo/turmeric root hybrid) or the Narwhanilla (narwhal/vanilla bean hybrid)? Some mashups, like the Apricat and Flamango, have the potential to reinforce the wrong spelling in kids who are just learning.
I like the inclusion at the back of the list of all the foods that are pictured. Still, I don't know if toddlers are going to care about antioxidants and the digestive health properties of various fruits and vegetables. Adults will likely find this book more entertaining than kids because of its pun-like nature. The problem is, to understand jokes like this, you need to understand the concepts they're derived from... and I'm not sure if the audience for an alphabet book has that understanding yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walter Foster Jr. for providing a digital ARC.
I like the inclusion at the back of the list of all the foods that are pictured. Still, I don't know if toddlers are going to care about antioxidants and the digestive health properties of various fruits and vegetables. Adults will likely find this book more entertaining than kids because of its pun-like nature. The problem is, to understand jokes like this, you need to understand the concepts they're derived from... and I'm not sure if the audience for an alphabet book has that understanding yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walter Foster Jr. for providing a digital ARC.
January 30, 2020
I think I enjoyed this book as much or even more than my granddaughter did. She loves fruits and vegetables, so she thought this was a pretty funny book. Turning the apricot into an Apricat, was cute and she insisted that it looked just like her cat, although I don't think Marmalade is that fat. We also used this book to reinforce colours, real animals and what is good to eat. I liked the end pages that included the foods in the book and what benefits they have for out bodies. I read it to her older brother when he got home from school and he thought it was pretty fat, he kept repeating the names of some of the new creatures and laughing. He obviously got more out of the back pages than his little sister did. This is a great book for families and schools. I can see this book being a fun way to teach nutrition in a primary health class. The publisher generously provided me with this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
April 25, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
A is for Apricat by Mauro Gatti is one of the most fun and adorable children's books I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. I just adored every single second of reading this book. Each animal was presented in a thoroughly fun way, simultaneously introducing children to each different food item along the way. I can already imagine a bunch of little kids making Apricats and Peanguins out of their apricots and peas as they eat.
Granted, I'm not sure how many parents want to encourage children to play with their food. I'd be alright with it, though.
An even more amazing fact about this book is that the end of it has a bunch of nutritional facts that you can teach your child about the various fruits and vegetables mentioned throughout. As someone who is not incredibly well versed in nutrition even to this day, that key was something I found to be incredibly useful. I know I'd definitely refer to it were I reading this to a child.
I personally don't think it would be a huge issue for the age range I imagine this book is typically geared toward, but it's possible that the spelling mashups might affect a child's understanding for how to spell the names of these fruits and vegetables. With that said, though, I don't picture most of the kids who will be reading this book spelling words like apricot at that period of their life.
All in all, I'm rather fond of this book.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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A is for Apricat by Mauro Gatti is one of the most fun and adorable children's books I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. I just adored every single second of reading this book. Each animal was presented in a thoroughly fun way, simultaneously introducing children to each different food item along the way. I can already imagine a bunch of little kids making Apricats and Peanguins out of their apricots and peas as they eat.
Granted, I'm not sure how many parents want to encourage children to play with their food. I'd be alright with it, though.
An even more amazing fact about this book is that the end of it has a bunch of nutritional facts that you can teach your child about the various fruits and vegetables mentioned throughout. As someone who is not incredibly well versed in nutrition even to this day, that key was something I found to be incredibly useful. I know I'd definitely refer to it were I reading this to a child.
I personally don't think it would be a huge issue for the age range I imagine this book is typically geared toward, but it's possible that the spelling mashups might affect a child's understanding for how to spell the names of these fruits and vegetables. With that said, though, I don't picture most of the kids who will be reading this book spelling words like apricot at that period of their life.
All in all, I'm rather fond of this book.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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January 22, 2024
Such a fun and funny read!
August 17, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A is for Apricat is a whimsically funny animal/plant mash-up ABC book by Mauro Gatti. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint, it's 28 pages and will be available in ebook and boardbook formats.
Each of the 26 illustrations is accompanied by a one sentence funny description. They are varied and cute and in fact some of the plants will probably be unfamiliar to many (adult) readers. I had never heard of ximenia, for example. I'll be keeping my eye out for it to try at some point.
This would make a lovely read-along book or bedtime read for babies to the youngest readers. It would also make a nice library or classroom read along for the appropriate age groups. All 26 of the foods in the ABCs are also included in a fact sheet at the end of the book.
Altogether a delightful and fun ABC book. I really loved it. It probably should be noted that there are 2 subtle mentions of the gassy properties of some foods (broccoli and beans). I found it amusing, some readers may be less amused. But really, have you ever met a 5 year old who didn't think that was the absolute pinnacle of humor?
5 stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A is for Apricat is a whimsically funny animal/plant mash-up ABC book by Mauro Gatti. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint, it's 28 pages and will be available in ebook and boardbook formats.
Each of the 26 illustrations is accompanied by a one sentence funny description. They are varied and cute and in fact some of the plants will probably be unfamiliar to many (adult) readers. I had never heard of ximenia, for example. I'll be keeping my eye out for it to try at some point.
This would make a lovely read-along book or bedtime read for babies to the youngest readers. It would also make a nice library or classroom read along for the appropriate age groups. All 26 of the foods in the ABCs are also included in a fact sheet at the end of the book.
Altogether a delightful and fun ABC book. I really loved it. It probably should be noted that there are 2 subtle mentions of the gassy properties of some foods (broccoli and beans). I found it amusing, some readers may be less amused. But really, have you ever met a 5 year old who didn't think that was the absolute pinnacle of humor?
5 stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 9, 2019
This delightful creative board book is a fun (and educational) way to expose wee ones to the letters of the alphabet. Combining photos of fresh fruits and vegetables with adorable illustrations of animals, Mauro Gatti has invented a whole new kind of critter!
Turn each page to a brand new letter of the alphabet featuring a sweet animal whose name begins with that letter and simple text to help kids learn that letter, the fractured animal's name, and the food. What a genius idea! The author has included a food facts page at the back to explain the health benefits of each highlighted food. The book promotes healthy eating and fresh out-of-the-produce-aisle ideas! I love the expressions on the cartoon-style animal faces with the reality of the fruit or vegetable presented creating one-of-a-kind critter mash-ups! Awesome!
I know that this book will be enjoyed by both young and old as it is very unique and very clever. Kids can learn the alphabet in Spanish and French also. I highly recommend this innovative book with its playful and fun language.
Turn each page to a brand new letter of the alphabet featuring a sweet animal whose name begins with that letter and simple text to help kids learn that letter, the fractured animal's name, and the food. What a genius idea! The author has included a food facts page at the back to explain the health benefits of each highlighted food. The book promotes healthy eating and fresh out-of-the-produce-aisle ideas! I love the expressions on the cartoon-style animal faces with the reality of the fruit or vegetable presented creating one-of-a-kind critter mash-ups! Awesome!
I know that this book will be enjoyed by both young and old as it is very unique and very clever. Kids can learn the alphabet in Spanish and French also. I highly recommend this innovative book with its playful and fun language.
August 26, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster, Jr. for an early copy of Little Concepts: A is for Apricat by Mauro Gatti. This book is an alphabet book that is told through mash-ups of food and animals such as the titled Apricat made up of an apricot and a cat. The pictures and ideas are very creative and the animals are cute, but the words that go with each letter/food-animal need to be cuter and more sing-song to appeal to the age group that would appreciate an alphabet book. The dialog was more appropriate for an older child who would not read an alphabet book. I read this book with a newly turned three year old and he lost interest about halfway through. The book ends with food facts for each food that was used, but most were not very fun or exciting.
My recommendation is to look at this book for the cute creative critters, but ignore the writing.
My recommendation is to look at this book for the cute creative critters, but ignore the writing.
August 8, 2019
ABC books for toddlers often have a sameness to them; they teach but do not always engage. A is for Apricat changes that. This is an original, funny, whimsical alphabet book that combines foods and animals to make unique critters. For example, there is the Flamango (flamingo and mango) or the moushroom (mouse and mushroom) and many more...26 in all. At the end of the book there is a section on Food Facts that talks about the nutrition involved in the foods. I can't end without a shout out for the engaging and imaginative illustrations. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a book that makes the alphabet fun.
All opinions are my own.
All opinions are my own.
February 5, 2026
This ABC board book carries the wit of the English language in hilarious mash-up puns. Fresh produce make up parts of the joke so it can be classified as a “clean eating” supporter without the seriousness. Some of my favorite critter mashups were of course the apricat, but the flamango & moushroom were spot on! I will start calling mushrooms moushrooms from now on. I cannot believe how easy uni-corn was to make: it’s been RIGHT there my whole life!
As a lover of puns, this is definitely a book I will be buying for baby showers & will regret not haven written, every time. Food facts at the end add a touch of reference material/seriousness.
As a lover of puns, this is definitely a book I will be buying for baby showers & will regret not haven written, every time. Food facts at the end add a touch of reference material/seriousness.
August 14, 2019
I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Board Book
I love the creature names throughout this book. Gatti takes healthy foods and combines them with an animal to match each alphabet letter. He also includes information about each food at the end of the book.
Perfect book to read together with toddlers and preschoolers. The colors are vibrant and the critter expressions pop off the pages. They look friendly and make new foods seem fun. Brief sentences on each page offer fun facts about each mashed-up critter.
Board Book
I love the creature names throughout this book. Gatti takes healthy foods and combines them with an animal to match each alphabet letter. He also includes information about each food at the end of the book.
Perfect book to read together with toddlers and preschoolers. The colors are vibrant and the critter expressions pop off the pages. They look friendly and make new foods seem fun. Brief sentences on each page offer fun facts about each mashed-up critter.
August 27, 2019
This book is utterly adorable. I would recommend it for 2-5 year olds.
There are so many funny veggie/animal mash-ups. There was only one I had no idea about - but that's because I didn't recognise the turmeric root in the Kangaroot! Glad the Food Facts in the back of the book set me right.
The book might be confusing to young readers in the U.K./Australia, where we calls yams sweet potatoes, but might be a good conversation starter about the variety of words we use in the English language for the exact same veggies: aubergine/eggplant, courgette/zucchini, etc!
There are so many funny veggie/animal mash-ups. There was only one I had no idea about - but that's because I didn't recognise the turmeric root in the Kangaroot! Glad the Food Facts in the back of the book set me right.
The book might be confusing to young readers in the U.K./Australia, where we calls yams sweet potatoes, but might be a good conversation starter about the variety of words we use in the English language for the exact same veggies: aubergine/eggplant, courgette/zucchini, etc!
September 15, 2019
Mash ups with an animal and a fruit or vegetable for each letter. Kids will laugh at such things as a “Hippotato” and “Queen Bean.” One letter and character per page. Nice crisp and colorful illustrations. A funny way to teach children the alphabet.
I received an ARC from Quarto Publishing through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.
I received an ARC from Quarto Publishing through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.
February 1, 2020
Miss 5 thought this was really funny. She loved the pictures (a mash-up of a photo and illustrations) and also liked trying to understand the linguistic puns - like 'Flamango'.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
September 15, 2019
A cute children's book with great illustrations to help teach young kids the ABCs in a fun way! If my children were a few years younger, I would definitely use this book with them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
September 15, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
Love this original idea for a children's book introducing fruit and vegetables to them that they may not have come across in a fun and innovative way. Love the colourful pictures - jellyfig and moushroom were my favourites. Would recommend this book to any parent or teacher wanting to get kids interesting in healthy eating.
Love this original idea for a children's book introducing fruit and vegetables to them that they may not have come across in a fun and innovative way. Love the colourful pictures - jellyfig and moushroom were my favourites. Would recommend this book to any parent or teacher wanting to get kids interesting in healthy eating.
April 16, 2021
I don't know who's behind this genius little book, but I think adult readers will be as engaged as their little ones! I love the combination of fruits, vegetables, and animals both fictional and real. Plenty to engage with and talk about here-- and potential for spinoff activities if used in a storytime!
October 1, 2019
An alphabet mash-up book, with each letter representing an animal crossed with a fruit or vegetable, giving us such delightful combinations as the Apricat, the Cowconut, and the Moushroom. Fun pictures. I think kids will enjoy figuring out what the combinations are supposed to be.
July 10, 2024
It's a cute alphabet book that uses various foods in cute illustrations. My 5 year old boy found it adorable. There are a few letters that are a bit too... obvious (looking at you Dragon Fruit), but overall a fun read.
July 23, 2019
Really cute alphabet book that combines animals and fruits. It will introduce kids to a lot of different fruits and vegetables that they might not know.
August 8, 2019
My word. This book is fun and funny! I love it when authors come up with a combination of unexpected things all in one. Kids tend to love alphabet books and I am sure this one will be a favorite!
October 21, 2019
This was a cute little book, that will definitely amuse the little ones (and the big ones alike). Original, fun, promoting fruit and veggies too.
November 8, 2019
This is adorable!
November 18, 2019
I will defer to the 4 year old book reviewer in this house and she really loved this book!! I can see us going back to it time and time again.
January 15, 2020
Pretty engaged, wanted to turn the pages
Want to Read
February 10, 2020Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
February 19, 2020
Super cute. Some of the combos work better than others, but still fantastically adorable.
August 25, 2020
I am a sucker for food puns! Four stars for "flamango" alone.
November 27, 2020
Funny book; ideally will read to the kids one day. Hopefully after they've learnt the alphabet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews