cover image Maggie Simpson's Alphabet Book

Maggie Simpson's Alphabet Book

Matt Groening. HarperCollins Publishers, $2.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-694-00318-1

Maggie, the youngest Simpson sibling (best known for her ever-present pacifier), makes a highly successful and often hilarious transition to print. These concept books feature simple, clean design; bright, bold colors; humorous and visually inviting illustrations. Familiarity with the Simpsons is a definite plus here, as references to personalities and situations from the TV show abound. Not just for preschoolers, the books have such broad appeal that older siblings--and even parents--may squabble over who gets to look at them first. Purists may quibble that one can't actually count the 1000 ants or suggest that four-year-olds might not associate ``mambo'' with ``M,'' but such sticklers would doubtless not gravitate toward these books in the first place. Simpsons fans will, and in numbers. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)