Basher: ABC Kids

As Basher's series moves beyond science into other subjects, this ABC book provides a stylish introduction to the alphabet while building vocabularies. His chunky cartoon illustrations are front and center, joined by heavily alliterative sentences ("Leonard's lobster loves licking lollipops"). Basher doesn't take shortcuts: the sentences (even Q, X, and Z) only use words beginning with the featured letter. Full-bleed pastel backdrops give the book the feel of a cheerily illustrated sheaf of construction paper; with inventive vocab on left-hand pages opposite pages focusing on one stand-alone image (like "dog" or "milkshake"), the book is appropriate for both beginning and developing readers. Smart fun. Ages 3–6. (Apr.)