ALPHABETABUM: AN ALBUM OF RARE PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEDIUM VERSES by Chris Raschka & Vladimir Radunsky

Raschka, Christopher. 2014. Alphabetabum: An Album of Rare      Photographs and MediumVerses. Photo collection by Vladimir Radunsky. NewYork: The New York Review Children’s Collection.
ISBN 9781590178171

Rr

Raschka and Radunsky

relate rhyming renditions with
rare representations of real relatives.
                                                   d.w.

Uh… what I meant to say is that this double R team has made a charming collaborative contribution to the world of ABC books by pairing a three line verse with a rare photo.  Raschka has created a verse for each letter of the alphabet using alliteration to assign a fictional name to the child in the photo and to describe something that is going on in the photo (or that we could imagine might be going on). The photos are from Radunsky’s collection of sepia toned photos from the turn of the century gathered from antique shops and flea markets across the United States, Europe and Russia.  

In addition to the alphabetical rhymes and photos, we are treated to some of the beautiful calligraphic logos of the photographers that took the photos. Other enchanting photos of captivating adults evoke smiles and curiosity.  Radunsky also includes an explanation at the back of the book about his photo collection.

Alphetabum looks different from any other Raschka book I have seen since it does not have his characteristic Caldecott winning art work.  But he demonstrates his poetic and humorous chops in the verses he creates to go with the photos.  Not all the verses and photos make a perfect pair, however.  For example: 

Kk

Keen Kerry Keith

Keeps smiling

through his teeth

is opposite a photo of a young boy (perhaps eight years) who is not smiling at all.  Again, 

Jj

Jumpy Joanie Jewel

Just barely keeps the jitters

from jiggling her from her stool

is opposite a photo of a little girl (maybe three years) who doesn’t look the least bit jittery (or even happy) and not at all in danger of “jiggling off her stool.” These rhymes juxtaposed with less than perfectly matching verse, might be confusing to a younger, more literal audience, but I found it enhanced the humor.

I would recommend this book for older children simply because of the humor, but younger children could still enjoy the alliteration and the rhyme that is reminiscent of the nonsense of a nursery rhyme.  I can see a class having fun taking funny pictures of each other and writing a short poem to go with it, or introducing ones family by the same format.  Each poem or photo could be its own individual writing prompt.  But however you choose to enjoy it, your own imagination is your best companion.