The Imaginary Alphabet

Alliterative lines accompany elaborate colored pencil drawings in this fantastical animal abecedarian for fans of Graeme Base. Each spread opens with a letter constructed from appropriate material (bubbles for B) that’s situated above an introductory phrase (“Kind Koalas Keeping Kiwis for a King”); letter-specific details then fill facing pages, illustrating madcap moments. Representing H, hats, helicopters, and more appear around an iridescent “Happy Hippopotamus Hopping down the Hall.” Numbats nestle beneath the North Star (“Noisy Numbats Nesting Nicely for the Night”). And “Two Toucans Taking the Train to Town” are shown with tigers, turtles, and tables. Daigneault’s absorbing drawings incorporate vivid detail in depicting a wide range of subjects, and back matter guides readers seeking to identify objects tucked throughout. Ages 5–10. (Aug.)