cover image Ark in the Attic: An Alphabet Adventure

Ark in the Attic: An Alphabet Adventure

Starr O'Ckenga, Eileen Doolittle. David R. Godine Publisher, $19.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-87923-684-7

Photographer Ockenga and artist Doolittle have combined their talents to create an unusual and rather extraordinary alphabet book. In large, detailed photographsone or two per letterthey have collected oddments that bear no relationship to each other except that they begin with the same letter. Some of the objects are instantly recognizable; in the picture for the letter A, for example, there are almonds, acrobats, asparagus stalks, and animal crackers. But other objects, such as an alstromaria, aerialist, and amulet, are more difficult to correctly identify. The pictures are linked by an awkward rhyming text that tells of a child who is packing the newlyfound treasures in an ark she found in the attic. The myriad of objects is colorful and intriguing; there is a slightly burlesque quality to the photographs that will provoke strong reactions and either attract or repel the reader. (All ages.) (October)