THE ALPHABET TREE
By Leo Lionni
Letters cling to leaves and hop from twig to twig in Leo Lionni’s classic picture book, THE ALPHABET TREE (Alfred A. Knopf / on sale June 8, 2004 / $15.95). Literacy and reading fundamentals truly come to life with Lionni’s snappy text and gorgeous illustrations!
The letters on the alphabet tree are thrown astray when a strong wind removes them from their solitary life on each leaf. Luckily the word-bug is there to show the letters how much stronger they can be together, as clinging to each other makes them words! Next, a feisty purple caterpillar appears and teaches the words that to become even stronger, all they need to do is form sentences, and amazingly those sentences can create wonderful statements of peace.
Absolutely perfect for beginning readers and classroom use, THE ALPHABET TREE is available for the first time in many years as a beautiful hardcover book. Children will enjoy Lionni’s play with words and his luscious painterly illustrations.
Leo Lionni was born in Holland, studied in Italy, and came to the United States in 1939. His beloved picture books include four Caldecott Honor Books: Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Lionni passed away in 1999 at the age of 89.
THE ALPHABET TREE
By Leo Lionni
An Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers hardcover / on sale June 8, 2004
0-394-81016-3 / $15.95 / $23.95 Can. / 40 pages / Ages 4-8
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...efamilycorne02 
