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From A to Z with Energy!: 26 Ways to Move and Play
An award-winning alphabet book that encourages playful movement and learning.
“Skate along the I ce for I ! For J we J am and J ive. K ’s for K icking as you swim and float and splash and dive.”
Watch the alphabet come to life as children run and twirl and jump and play and learn their way through the ABCs! Combining movement and learning, this imaginative alphabet book teaches young learners not only how to move from A to Z but also how to creatively have fun as they stay active and keep their bodies healthy and strong.
The book includes a special section for parents and educators with tips for using movement to teach problem-solving, listening, and other social and emotional skills.
“Skate along the I ce for I ! For J we J am and J ive. K ’s for K icking as you swim and float and splash and dive.”
Watch the alphabet come to life as children run and twirl and jump and play and learn their way through the ABCs! Combining movement and learning, this imaginative alphabet book teaches young learners not only how to move from A to Z but also how to creatively have fun as they stay active and keep their bodies healthy and strong.
The book includes a special section for parents and educators with tips for using movement to teach problem-solving, listening, and other social and emotional skills.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2019
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 18, 2019
I wish I this book had existed when I was teaching Kindergarten and first grade!
This book is colorful, stimulating, and engaging with its rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. In addition, it effectively conveys the importance of staying active by giving children a variety of physical activities to keep them moving. Dancing, baseball, soccer, exercising, skating, swimming, hiking--the list goes on and on. I liked the mention of eating a healthy lunch to stress the importance of nutrition and how it gives children 'fuel to grow'.
Perhaps the thing I liked most about this book was the diversity in the children and adults illustrated in the story. Several ethnic and religious groups and children with disabilities were depicted in the excellent illustrations. I felt the author and illustrator really reached out to all children through their creative words and pictures.
An added bonus was the back matter written by the author which includes a 'Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers' including sections on 'Physical Benefits of Movement', 'Social-Emotional Benefits of Movement', 'Five Activities to Support 'A to Z With Energy!', and 'Five Supplemental Movement Activities'. These valuable resources will aid educators and parents in how to encourage/nudge children to participate in physical activities--even if it is simply walking or playing a game of 'tag'.
Highly-recommended for parents/grandparents, teachers, childcare providers, youth/church group leaders, scout and camp leaders, and even adults who are interested in becoming more active!
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The publisher allowed me access to a digital Advance Readers Copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review. I received no compensation of any kind to post my thoughts here or on any other site.
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This book is colorful, stimulating, and engaging with its rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. In addition, it effectively conveys the importance of staying active by giving children a variety of physical activities to keep them moving. Dancing, baseball, soccer, exercising, skating, swimming, hiking--the list goes on and on. I liked the mention of eating a healthy lunch to stress the importance of nutrition and how it gives children 'fuel to grow'.
Perhaps the thing I liked most about this book was the diversity in the children and adults illustrated in the story. Several ethnic and religious groups and children with disabilities were depicted in the excellent illustrations. I felt the author and illustrator really reached out to all children through their creative words and pictures.
An added bonus was the back matter written by the author which includes a 'Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers' including sections on 'Physical Benefits of Movement', 'Social-Emotional Benefits of Movement', 'Five Activities to Support 'A to Z With Energy!', and 'Five Supplemental Movement Activities'. These valuable resources will aid educators and parents in how to encourage/nudge children to participate in physical activities--even if it is simply walking or playing a game of 'tag'.
Highly-recommended for parents/grandparents, teachers, childcare providers, youth/church group leaders, scout and camp leaders, and even adults who are interested in becoming more active!
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The publisher allowed me access to a digital Advance Readers Copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review. I received no compensation of any kind to post my thoughts here or on any other site.
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April 10, 2019
With its diverse cast, rhythmic rhyming text, and bright illustrations, I think it would make a great addition to any classroom.
This book teaches the alphabet and healthy habits at the same time. It takes the reader through the day and highlighting various fun and healthy activities they can engage in, including skating, dancing, swimming, and other sports, as well as eating healthy foods and getting a good night's sleep. The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and active, and I love that they display a diverse group of children engaged in physical activities together, including children of different ethnicities and religions, and children racing their wheelchairs.
This book includes educational back matter for adults about the physical and social/emotional benefits of movement – the author’s area of expertise. And there are several fun ideas for activities to engage children in movement that could be used at home or at school.
This book teaches the alphabet and healthy habits at the same time. It takes the reader through the day and highlighting various fun and healthy activities they can engage in, including skating, dancing, swimming, and other sports, as well as eating healthy foods and getting a good night's sleep. The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and active, and I love that they display a diverse group of children engaged in physical activities together, including children of different ethnicities and religions, and children racing their wheelchairs.
This book includes educational back matter for adults about the physical and social/emotional benefits of movement – the author’s area of expertise. And there are several fun ideas for activities to engage children in movement that could be used at home or at school.
May 27, 2019
From A to Z with Energy is such a lovely book for younger readers. I would definitely use this in a class room setting for pre-schoolers. I love the fact it joins two important skills for young children to master, gross motor skills and phonics! Connie Dow does a brilliant job of making the alphabet jump and jive and come alive. I definitely think things are easier to learn with movement and would recommend this in any preschool and infant library as a way to help children learn their alphabet. My daughter (aged 3) and I had lots of fun acting this book out. The illustrations are fun, colourful and lively and the rhythmic rhyming text made it a fun read aloud too!
January 23, 2020
“Skate along the Ice for I! For J we Jam and Jive. K’s for Kicking as you swim, and float and splash and dive.” Exercise activities and movement are paired with rhyming text in this ABC book filled with diverse skin color and physical abilities. Bright, bold colors and Pixar-esque illustrations will make this incredibly appealing for a class read-aloud. Free Spirit Publishing wins again!
Supplemental material includes physical benefits of moving, social emotional benefits of movement, and 10 movements activities.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Supplemental material includes physical benefits of moving, social emotional benefits of movement, and 10 movements activities.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
April 23, 2019
I was lucky enough to get to see an ARC of this book and read it to my daughter. Even though we’ve mostly moved on from alphabet books at age 6, this one caught her energetic attention! She loves moving and be active, so it really connected to her! The illustrations are colorful and charming, and children will find both mirrors and windows in the diverse characters. Also lots of great ideas for parents and teachers in the back. Highly recommended!
April 27, 2019
Read this book out loud, and you’ll have “Time to play and have some fun; trying new things one by one.” Don’t stop when you get to Z! There’s back matter for you and your child that includes the physical and emotional benefits of movement plus 5 supporting activities and 5 supplemental ones. Try them all, and you’ll have gone FROM A TO Z WITH ENERGY! And most importantly, you and your child will have had fun together.
May 11, 2019
While it's true that Dow's A TO Z is fun to read--the pages are well-timed with rhyme and burst with color, what really brings the book full circle are the movement-inspired pages in the back matter that teach kids (and adults) the importance of engaging your body, employing creativity when you do so, and the social-emotional benefits of moving and grooving. A great read to start or end an active day.
July 21, 2019
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Sports: Variety
Exercise activities and movement are paired with rhyming text in this ABC book filled with diverse skin color (and a couple children in wheelchairs). Bright, bold colors and Pixar-esque illustrations will make this incredibly appealing for a class read-aloud. Free Spirit Publishing wins again!
Supplemental material includes physical benefits of moving, social emotional benefits of movement, and 10 movements activities.
Sports: Variety
Exercise activities and movement are paired with rhyming text in this ABC book filled with diverse skin color (and a couple children in wheelchairs). Bright, bold colors and Pixar-esque illustrations will make this incredibly appealing for a class read-aloud. Free Spirit Publishing wins again!
Supplemental material includes physical benefits of moving, social emotional benefits of movement, and 10 movements activities.
August 5, 2019
Connie Bergstein Dow’s alphabet book accomplishes so much in a single text! While children learn the alphabet, they also explore how to incorporate healthy practices into their lives. And with Dow’s imaginative rhymes, they also experience the joys of language. “F is for the Fun you’ll have while moving every day,” . . . and while reading A to Z with Energy out loud! I look forward to sharing it with my preschool class.
October 20, 2019
Connie Bergstein Dow has created such a treat for readers of every age with this whimsical, lyrical, alphabet dance. Not only are readers going to feel energized and want get moving, but so will their friends, families, and teachers. Exercise and movement is so vital and critical to our emotion, social and physical well-being. There is no better way than to be energized together. This beautifully written and illustrated book will do just that!
January 7, 2019
A grand little read. The illustrations are vivid and active. The message this book conveys is important and timely. The rhyming is quite forced at times. However, the inclusiveness, diversity and overall positive message of this book are worthwhile and fun. There is a section at the end for caregivers with important tips and activities.
May 17, 2019
Perfect addition to your collection of ABC books! This one does more than entertain, it gets little ones up and moving. The bright text and illustrations perfectly compliment the happy bouncy rhymes. No one can be grumpy reading this book. It's sure to be requested for re-readings, giggles, and wiggles!
October 20, 2019
A fun and lively book encouraging children to get up and move! I loved the colourful and energetic illustrations and the way the book intertwines learning the alphabet with teaching children about the benefits of movement and exercise.
This book is must have for parents and the classroom. The kids will love it and enjoy reading along and following the actions as they go!
This book is must have for parents and the classroom. The kids will love it and enjoy reading along and following the actions as they go!
April 17, 2019
A lively story in verse that gets kids moving. Connie Dow has left nothing out. . . Kids will love to act out the movements on the pages. The book leaves room for many activities to be used in the classroom.
May 4, 2019
Children will see themselves in this lovely book by Connie Bergstein Dow, who provides plenty of motivation for finding one’s energy. Fun illustrations by Gareth Llewhellin will have readers spotting new things each time they return to read it.
May 10, 2019
Written in a fun and bouncy rhyme you work your way through the day and through the alphabet with different activities for every letter. Kids will want to get up and move along with each spin, skip, twirl and hop. Every child can see themselves in this book. A must have.
October 15, 2019
This fun picture book by Connie Bergstein Dow will encourage little ones to play and dance their way through the alphabet. The diverse cast is beautifully illustrated by Gareth Llewhellin. Included in the back of the book is a guide for using movement to expand the book's learning opportunities.
March 16, 2020
I love the inclusivity in this book! Fun rhymes and a great section in the back with more ideas for creative movement!
September 12, 2022
This book is meant to teach children the alphabet while simultaneously teaching the importance of movement and physical activity. It goes from each letter with something to do with an active day. It ends with the children going to sleep from their long, energetic day. “R is for a race. Get set… just watch those wheelchairs go!” This showed inclusion of students with disabilities can still get active and have fun and I think it was a great idea to do. The back pages of the book have information for caregivers and parents on how to incorporate more movement with children and even gives specific activities that they could do. It has an about the author and illustrator page, which I thought was cool because they don't usually tell readers about the illustrator.
The internal illustrations were fun and busy and showed the reader how the activity word would look like being done. It gave ideas for the audience to use for activity with their children. It also incorporated a lot of diversity which was good. Th pictures kept adding onto the words and giving the reader even more. The text on each page was super engaging because it would switch fonts, colors, sizes, and letter case.
The cover art on the boards were one big picture, with most of the action going on the cover. It incorporated the movement with the children all playing and having fun, along with the A and Z as a big jungle gym. The back has one of the kids jumping up with a sign of a quick summary and a quote from the book.
I think this book was very educational and fun for the reader. It makes exercise and activity seem like the best thing in the world. It also makes children feel like they can always learn while doing activities and movement. The only critique I have is that I feel like if the text rhymed better, it would catch the readers attention even more.
I would use this with students to add onto a lesson about the alphabet or movement since it does both. I would show them all the activities in the back and use them to play with he students while simultaneously teaching them. This book is recommended for ages 3 to 8.
The internal illustrations were fun and busy and showed the reader how the activity word would look like being done. It gave ideas for the audience to use for activity with their children. It also incorporated a lot of diversity which was good. Th pictures kept adding onto the words and giving the reader even more. The text on each page was super engaging because it would switch fonts, colors, sizes, and letter case.
The cover art on the boards were one big picture, with most of the action going on the cover. It incorporated the movement with the children all playing and having fun, along with the A and Z as a big jungle gym. The back has one of the kids jumping up with a sign of a quick summary and a quote from the book.
I think this book was very educational and fun for the reader. It makes exercise and activity seem like the best thing in the world. It also makes children feel like they can always learn while doing activities and movement. The only critique I have is that I feel like if the text rhymed better, it would catch the readers attention even more.
I would use this with students to add onto a lesson about the alphabet or movement since it does both. I would show them all the activities in the back and use them to play with he students while simultaneously teaching them. This book is recommended for ages 3 to 8.
October 12, 2021
Read this book for a story time to some wonderful children at my public library job. It was a great tool to use for teaching the alphabet, but also teaching about movement and exercise. I had the kids raise there hands if they had participated in the specific activity listed. It was a great read-a-loud.
November 19, 2020
Cute illustrations and a good alphabet book about activities. I love the different color fonts and different styles of funds on each page. There is also information in the back about moving and social emotional benefits and physical benefits of moving.
January 14, 2019
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 9, 2021
Such a fun --and active--way to introduce the letters to kids! I think every classroom of littles should have this in their book rack!
April 6, 2021
I think we came to this one at the wrong time to appreciate it, maybe try it again later.
August 3, 2021
A fun book about activities and moving!
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May 24, 2019This book offers a lovely way to motivate parents and kids to get out there and get moving, while also teaching the alphabet. I love that this book encourages our children to be active outdoors and comes complete with activity ideas and educational materials for parents and teachers. Beautiful illustration in vibrant colors to match the energy of the book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews