The Alphabet from Z to a

In The Alphabet from Z to A, Judith Viorst once again applies her clear-sighted wit to a subject of universal appeal, turning the traditional alphabet book on its head by going through the alphabet backwards. Viorst's lively verse irreverently demonstrates that the spelling and sounds of our language are often so maddeningly inconsistent -- blue and blew, chute and shoe -- that, as her exasperated narrator complains, It could drive you berserk. Aimed at children who already have some facility with language (and at anyone else who likes to play with words), The Alphabet form Z to A is an entertaining and throught-provoking romp through the quirks and quagmires of the English language. Richard Hull's exquisite drawings enrich the text and offers a playful challenge.