Alphabet books are some of the most interesting titles published in the field of children’s literature. Since they are published for young children, authors and illustrators need to make the text interesting and the pictures enjoyable. Some authors will set their alphabet books to a rhyming chant so that children can clap their hands during the reading. Since preschoolers have little or no written language development, the illustrations and paintings will provide much of the information in the book.
Additionally, authors realize that they must activate different learning styles to make the book effective with youngsters. Because of this, alphabet books are usually some of the most creative books children will encounter. The beloved author/illustrator Patricia Polacco has incorporated all of these concepts in an absolutely delightful alphabet book entitled "G is for Goat."
As the book begins, we see a young Ukrainian girl tending a flock of goats. Dressed in traditional Ukrainian clothes, she is gamboling with her goats under an apple tree. Appropriately, Polacco shows the child reaching up for an apple as the goats look on. The text states: "A is for Apple, the best treat of all."
Of course the billy goats see the apples as well. They begin leaping up to bite an apple as well. The little girl and the goats are surrounded by rabbits, chickens, cats and geese. All the animals are looking for different kinds of food to eat, or simply playing with other animals. Tired of walking, the child hitches a goat up to her cart and begins driving around the pasture. As she and the billy goat race down the lane, the dogs race them to the end of the path. The race is so delightful that the rabbits decide to get in on the fun and sprint ahead of the dogs and the cart.
As the letters of the alphabet fly by, we see that the goats do not always obey well as when: "F is for Flowers which goats eat a lot." Fortunately, the flowers will grow back.
The picture Polacco uses for "G is for Goats" is one of the most comforting, pleasant illustrations children will ever encounter in a picture book. All of the gentleness and innocence of childhood can be seen in this beautiful portrayal of the young girl holding her goats.
But the action continues as the goats munch on hay, tug at the child’s dress and get ready to go back to the barn. Of course goats are sometimes stubborn and the girl must "P is for Push, when goats just won’t go." Goats are also not known for being the most intelligent of animals and this can be seen in the R and S illustrations. The S is particularly funny. The book concludes with a precious scene for the letter Z.
Young children will love to have this book read to them by their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. Polacco has a gift for portraying the innocence and beauty of childhood. She is from a Ukrainian/American family that settled in Michigan. The head scarves and colorful dresses of herself and her grandmother always lend an endearing quality to her books. This book simply can’t be beat for a beautiful bonding moment with young children. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check out this fine title. You will like it as much as your little one. Enjoy!
